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USF-UConn Preview

UCONN (7-3, 3-2 BIG EAST) AT SOUTH FLORIDA (6-4, 1-4)

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 23, 2008

AT STAKE

It's pretty simple: the Bulls must win tonight or Dec. 6 at West Virginia to guarantee a St. Pete Bowl bid. If the Bulls lose out, they'll have to hope for a non-Big East bowl, perhaps in lovely Shreveport, La., against a Sun Belt team. How's that for motivation?

KEY MATCHUP

After not allowing a 100-yard running back in the first five games, the Bulls have had two Big East backs top 100 yards (Pitt's LeSean McCoy, 142; and Syracuse's Curtis Brinkley, 112) and Rutgers' Joe Martinek had 98 yards last week. Up next: UConn's Donald Brown, who has been held to less than 100 yards only once this season (82 against West Virginia).

KEEP AN EYE ON

USF - Penalties and turnovers have been a lethal combination. In the Bulls' three-game losing streak, USF has averaged 10.7 penalties and 3.7 turnovers per game. USF must limit both to have a chance against the Huskies.

UCONN - Last week, the Bulls had trouble containing one of the nation's top receivers in Rutgers' Kenny Britt. Tonight, the challenge comes from UConn junior RB Donald Brown, the nation's leading rusher. Brown is averaging 153 yards per game and 5.57 yards per carry.

KEY STAT

Having lost three consecutive games, the Bulls are trying to avoid the first four-game losing streak in program history.

INJURY UPDATE

USF - K Justin Teachey (quad), FS Danny Verpaele (foot), LB Brouce Mompremier (head) and RT Danous Estenor (knee) are out, LT Jake Sims (ankle) is doubtful, RB Mike Ford (ankle) and RB Jamar Taylor (ankle) are questionable.

UCONN - CB Darius Butler (knee) is out, TE Steve Brouse (leg) is doubtful.

PREDICTION

UConn 27, USF 17

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