[12:03 PM] Connecticut @ East Carolina

Who will WIN this matchup?

Connecticut Huskies (3-5)

@ East Carolina Pirates (2-5)

Current odds:

Connecticut Huskies: (+230)

East Carolina Pirates: (-270)

• ESPN simulations have Connecticut as XX% favorites to win the game.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on East Carolina to win as (TBD) underdogs.

• The line for this game is East Carolina by 7 points.

• Two of the nation’s top receivers take center stage when Connecticut visits East Carolina in an American Athletic Conference game Saturday. East Carolina’s Zay Jones, who leads the country with 95 receptions, squares off against UConn’s Noel Thomas, who ranks third with 76 grabs, in a crucial contest pitting two teams looking to keep the bowl hopes alive.

• UConn was shut out in the second half last week at UCF for its second straight loss, but got 101 yards rushing from Arkeel Newsome on 21 carries and Thomas notched his his fifth straight 100-yard receiving game catching nine passes for 165 yards. Defense, which was supposed to be the backbone of the Huskies, has been their downfall as they have slipped to eighth in the AAC in total defense and have allowed a conference-worst 289.8 yards per game through the air. The Huskies managed to squeeze into the postseason last season winning three of its final four contests to earn a bowl berth and the remaining schedule is far from daunting in their attempt to do so again.

• Things have spiraled out of control quickly for the Pirates after opening the season 2-0, including an impressive victory over North Carolina State. Phillip Nelson completed 28 of 43 passes for 283 yards with two touchdowns last week but had two interceptions, and the Pirates also lost a fumble midway through the fourth quarter, ending its upset bid at Cincinnati. Furlow, who has only played on special teams this season, is expected to make the start after junior Anthony Scott was demoted for his costly fumble against the Bearcats and he’ll join converted wide receiver James Summers in the muddled backfield.

• The series is tied at 1-1 with both teams winning at home after UConn’s 31-13 victory last season

• East Carolina, which is 126th in the nation in turnover margin at minus-1.7, has gotten 13 touchdown passes and six interceptions from Nelson, who is completing 68.1 percent of his attempts.

• UConn QB Bryant Shirreffs has thrown for 1,830 yards with seven touchdowns and has rushed for 280 yards and two scores.

StreakSmarts Pick: East Carolina Pirates

Confidence: 5/10