The UConn Huskies will travel to Bulldog Stadium (CA) to take on the Fresno State Bulldogs this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The UConn Huskies and head coach Randy Edsall will be happy to get back on the football field this season after not playing a single game last season, however, it’s hard to have much optimism from a team that finished with just a 2-10 record in 2019 and is just 3-21 over their last two seasons.
Offensively, UConn struggled in 2019 as the Huskies finished the season averaging just 18.9 ppg on 378.4 total yards per game (216.0 passing yds/g; 128.7 rushing yds/g). Currently, Randy Edsall hasn’t named a starting QB, however, early indications look like it will be Jack Zergiotis who as a freshman completed 57.7% of his passes for 1782 yards (178.2 passing yds/g), 9 TD & 11 INT. Although Zergiotis looks like he will be the starter, it would not be shocking to see either Steven Krajewski or NC State transfer, Micah Leon, get time under center. The top offensive threat for the Huskies should be RB Kevin Mensah who racked up 1013 rushing yards & 9 TD’s on 226 carries. The top receiving threats for the Huskies look to be Cameron Ross (60 rec, 723 yards, 2 TD), Jay Rose (27 rec, 261 yards, 2 TD), & Matt Drayton (21 rec, 278 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, if UConn has any chance to get a few wins this season, they will need to improve on the defensive end after allowing their opponents to average 40.5 ppg on 617.4 total yards per game.
The Fresno State Bulldogs finished last season with an overall record of 3-3 and come into this season with some optimism as the Bulldogs should have one of the better offenses in all the Mountain West this season.
Offensively, Fresno State averaged 32.8 ppg on 479.3 total yards per game (356.3 passing yds/g; 123.0 rushing yds/g). QB Jake Haener completed 64.7% of his passes for 2021 yards (336.8 yds/g), 14 TD, & 5 INT last season and should be able to put up big numbers this year as he returns all his leading receivers from last season in Jalen Cropper (37 rec, 520 yards, 5 TD), Keric Wheatfall (23 rec, 363 yards, 1 TD), & Josh Kelly (22 rec, 330 yards, 1 TD). Fresno State also should have one of the better rushing attacks in the Mountain West as they have an experienced offensive line and an outstanding dual threat RB in Ronnie Rivers who averaged 128.7 total yards per game last season (84.5 rushing yards/g; 44.2 receiving yds/g).
Defensively, Fresno State struggled last season allowing opponents to average 30.0 ppg on 430.0 total yards (212.3 rushing yds/g; 217.7 passing yds/g). Fresno State was known for a strong defense in previous years and certainly has potential to improve this season as they have talent on their defense line in David Perales & Kwami Jones and have a bunch of experience at the LB positions.
The Huskies are 7-13 ATS in their last 20 games and just 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games played in August. The Bulldogs are 14-5 Straight Up in their last 19 games at home and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played in week 1.
UConn is still in rebuilding mode and despite have some weapons on offense, it’s hard to expect much from the Huskies on either end of the field as this will be their first live action in ahwile.
Early Lean: Fresno St -27
