Connecticut (1-8) at No. 21 James Madison (9-0), Saturday at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Line: James Madison by 24½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook
Series record: James Madison leads 4-1 and has won the last four.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Dukes made an appeal to the NCAA this week for remediation from the rule that requires a two-year transition to the highest level of college football before conference championship and bowl game elibility is afforded. The NCAA says the rule ensures that teams are prepared for that jump, and JMU clearly has been more than ready. The Huskies have already been blown out twice by Top 25 teams.
KEY MATCHUP
One area that UConn has excelled in is avoiding sacks. They are 13th nationally, allowing just 10 through nine games. The Dukes lost sack master Jalen Green for the year last week, but still lead the nation with an average of 4.67 sacks per game. Pressure often leads to mistakes, which can change a game's complexion quickly.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UConn: QB Ta’Quan Roberson replaced injured starter Joe Fagnano in the second quarter at Georgia State. On the season, he is completing 58.2% (139-239) of his passes for 1,493 yards. He has eight TDs against five interceptions.
James Madison: QB Jordan McCloud had over 400 total yards and six touchdowns in JMU's 42-14 win at Georgia State. McCloud finished 28 of 36 for 307 yards and four scores through the air and ran for a career-high 104 yards and two more scores. It was his second game with six touchdowns this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Huskies will be playing their third straight game on the road and second in a row against a ranked team. They have lost 12 in a row on the road against ranked teams, last beating No. 19 Louisville 23-20 in three overtimes in 2012. ... In two prior games against ranked team this year, the Huskies have lost by a combined 100-10. ... JMU is one of seven unbeaten teams in the nation. ... The Dukes' passing offense average and passing defense average are almost identical. They throw for 265.3 yards per game and allow 265.9 yards.
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