Prediction: West Virginia 44, Connecticut 17
Game time: 8 - Tonight - ESPN
Where: Rentschler Field (40,000), East Hartford, Conn.
Radio: WVAQ-FM (101.9); Sirius satellite radio.
Series record: West Virginia holds a 2-0 advantage, winning 45-13 in Morgantown last season and 31-19 in 2004 at Rentschler Field.
The setup: The Mountaineers are 24-4 against Big East opponents since the start of the 2002 season. While West Virginia has its eyes on the big BCS bowl prize, Connecticut needs three more victories to become eligible to play in any bowl game.
What to expect: Look for West Virginia tailback Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White to become the new stars of "Friday Night Lights." UConn's defense ranks 105th against the run. West Virginia leads the nation in rushing (328 yards per game). Unless the Mountaineers' buses get stuck in the normally brutal Hartford rush hour traffic, there doesn't seem to be a way the Huskies can stop them on the ground.
Both sides of the ball: WVU
ESPN viewers will see a lot of Slaton slashing and White dashing. What they won't see is West Virginia kick or punt the ball into the hands of Larry Taylor, the UConn speedster who returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown last week against Army. On defense, it could be an uphill battle as Mountaineers pass rushers try to find a way around Dan Ryan (6-8, 297) and Mike Hicks (6-7, 338) -- the biggest pair of freshman tackles in college football.
By the numbersSteve Slaton 931 yards, 132 carries (7.1 avg.), 8 TDs Eric Wicks 35 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions
Both sides of the ball: CONNECTICUT
The Huskies players have pulled together the past two weeks after coach Randy Edsall booted five of their teammates off the roster for buying beer in Tampa the night before the South Florida loss. However, team meetings haven't solved all the problems. Connecticut has missed 6 of 9 field goal attempts this season, the defense has allowed too many big plays, and the quarterbacks haven't been accurate enough.
By the numbersMatt Bonislawski 45-of-98 passing (45.9 percent) Terry Caulley 588 rushing yards, 99 carries (98 yards per game)
Next game: NOV. 2
WVU at Louisville, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- by Rick Starr
