Previewing Thursday night's college football TV games
Thursday night's TV games:
Connecticut (1-5) at No. 17 East Carolina (5-1)
Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET/ESPNU. Surface: Grass.
Line: East Carolina by 28. Sagarin difference: ECU by 27.82.
Synopsis: The Pirates would be leading the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division with a 2-0 record if they weren't first-year members of the American. No matter — ECU is showing the way in its own league as well, likely headed for a head-to-head showdown with Central Florida in the season finale. The Pirates' objective will be to take charge quickly against the offensively challenged Huskies and take advantage of the extra days to prepare for upcoming road trips to Temple and Cincinnati. QB Shane Carden and his primary WRs Justin Hardy and Isaiah Jones can strike at any time, and TB Breon Allen should be able to help with ball control. It's all about baby steps for UConn and first-year coach Bob Diaco, who inherited a fairly bare cupboard upon assuming the reins in Storrs. The Huskies' most effective means of transport has been the battery of QB Chandler Whitmer and WR Geremy Davis, though they've had to manage with little ground support.
Miami (Fla.) (4-3) at Virginia Tech (4-3)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Grass.
Line: Miami by 2½. Sagarin difference: Virginia Tech by 4.17.
Synopsis: The cliché that every game counts has never been more true than in this year's version of the ACC Coastal, where all seven teams are bunched within a game in the standings. Though the Hokies and Hurricanes have won only once each in conference, Miami's victory came against Duke and appears to carry more weight right now than Tech's win at North Carolina. But tiebreakers won't matter unless the 'Canes can find ways to win away from home. Most of that figures to be up to LB Denzel Perryman and the defense that has struggled for road consistency, but the good news for them is Virginia Tech's offense hasn't been productive regardless of venue. Many of the Hokies' problems are attributable to a spate of injuries at the tailback position. Help is on its way with Marshawn Williams (ankle) expected back, but QB Michael Brewer must also get help from his receiving corps. Miami freshman QB Brad Kaaya has made considerable strides since his opening-night setback at Louisville. Veteran ball handlers like WR Phillip Dorsett and TB Duke Johnson have helped, but the Hokies' defense is usually harder to solve. Expect to see LBs Chase Williams and Kyshoen Jarrett around the ball often.
Lines furnished by Glantz-Culver.
Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams; 3.23 points were added to the home team's rating to calculate the difference.
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