Syracuse University will try to peel a win from the University of Connecticut on Saturday when they visit Rentschler Field at 12 p.m. ET in East Hartford. This weekend's Big East Conference match-up will air live on ESPNU.
In seven previous outings, the Orange (5-3, 1-2 Big East) trail the Huskies (3-5, 1-2 Big East) by a score of 5-2.
As SB Nation's own Jared Smith highlighted in his event preview, most of the talk surrounding Saturday's Big East battle is centered on Huskies coach Paul Pasqualoni, who knows the Orange team as well as anyone.
He was once their coach.
Syracuse is coming off its first Big East road game loss since 2009, a 27-10 shellacking to the Cardinals at Papa John's Stadium in Louisville. UConn wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire in its last outing either, falling to Pittsburgh 35-20 at Heinz Field back on Oct. 26.
The Orange will need to find a way to contain Connecticut running back Lyle McCombs, who's averaging over 100 yards rushing per game. They also need the secondary to show up and stop the big plays.
Simply put, there's a lot on the line for both teams heading into Saturday's showdown.
Game date, time: 12 p.m. ET, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011
Location: Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut
TV channel: ESPNU
Spread: Huskies are favored by two points
Series history: UConn leads the all-time series, 5-2
For further reading, news, discussion and more, visit Syracuse Orange blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and Connecticut Huskies blog The UConn Blog. Here’s the complete Week 10 college football TV schedule, and stay tuned to SB Nation’s college football news hub for more.