GAME NOTES: Coming off the biggest win in program history, the 16th-ranked Connecticut Huskies try to maintain their distance from the rest of the Big East, as they host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rentschler Field this Saturday. The Huskies were completely overlooked by the rest of the Big East powers heading into the season, but they are the ones who stand atop the conference standings with a perfect 3-0 mark. Included in that record is a 22-15 upset of then 11th-ranked South Florida last weekend, the program's first win in 11 tries against a ranked opponent. The win improved the team to 7-1 overall and propelled it into the Top 25 for the first time in school history. UConn joined the Football Bowl Subdivision ranks in 2002 and that makes it the second fastest team to ever earn a national ranking at this level. As for Rutgers, it is coming off its worst performance of the season, a 31-3 setback to nationally-ranked West Virginia last weekend. It was a disappointing showing for the Knights, who had knocked off then second-ranked South Florida (30-27) the previous week. Now at 5-3 overall and just 2-2 in conference play, Rutgers takes to the road, where it has played just once this season, a 38-14 victory at Syracuse on October 13th. The Knights lead the all- time series with the Huskies, 18-8, and they have won the last two meetings, including a 24-13 triumph in New Jersey last season.

Offensively, the Knights are producing a solid 32.0 ppg thanks to a balanced attack which is gaining 180.8 ypg on the ground and 275.8 ypg through the air. Last weekend, though, Rutgers put forth its worst offensive showing of the season, scoring just three points on a mere 314 total yards against WVU. The team also had trouble hanging onto the ball, committing four crucial turnovers. Ray Rice paced the Knights in defeat by rushing for 142 yards on 30 carries. For the year, Rice leads the Big East with 1,141 rushing yards and he also has 14 total touchdowns (13 rushing) to his credit. He is the only player in Rutgers history to have now rushed for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Quarterback Mike Teel however, didn't have a good game last weekend, as he completed only 14-of-30 tosses for 128 yards and two interceptions. Despite that performance, Teel has had a respectable campaign up to this point, passing for 265.5 ypg, with 14 touchdowns against eight interceptions. His primary target is Tiquan Underwood, who ranks second in the Big East in catches (46) and receiving yards (848). Last weekend, Underwood led the team with seven receptions for 59 yards, although he dropped several passes from Teel.

Compared to the rest of the Big East, Rutgers has been about average on defense this season, giving up 20.1 ppg and 317.6 total ypg. The unit though, has really struggled to come up with some big plays, forcing a mere 10 turnovers through the first eight games. Facing WVU's potent attack last weekend, the Knights surrendered 398 total yards, including 254 on the ground. The defense failed to create a single turnover in the game and it also allowed WVU to convert on 11-of-18 third down attempts. Courtney Greene logged nine stops in the loss, giving him a team-high 63 tackles for the season.

The Huskies offensively, rank in the bottom half of the Big East in most categories, including scoring (30.2 ppg), rushing (164.6 ypg) and passing (199.1 ypg). The offense though, has done an excellent job of not beating itself, committing only 10 turnovers in eight games. Last weekend, UConn turned the ball over just one time and gained 353 total yards in a 22-15 win over USF. Andre Dixon didn't score, but his career-high 167 rushing yards was just as big of a factor. Dixon has been a pleasant surprise for the Huskies this season and he leads the team with 610 rushing yards in six games. Tyler Lorenzen did a solid job of managing the game last weekend, and he completed 13-of-25 pass attempts for 194 yards and a touchdown. Lorenzen is a dual- threat quarterback, as he has rushed for 220 yards and a score, in addition to throwing for 1,583 yards and nine more touchdowns. He has been picked off just four times this season and that has helped UConn make the most of its possessions on offense.

On the defensive side of the ball is where UConn has really made a difference this season, ranking first in the Big East in scoring defense (13.0 ppg) and second in total yards allowed (293.2 ypg). The Huskies are also tied for the national lead in interceptions with 18 and that includes four returned for a touchdown. Against USF last weekend, UConn picked off two passes, one of which was returned 23 yards for a score by Scott Lutrus. The interceptions were very important for the Huskies, considering they gave up 440 total yards to USF. Still, the defense came up big when it had to, as it allowed USF to convert on just 4-of-16 third down attempts. Danny Lansanah led the way with 16 stops and he ranks second on the team with 82 tackles for the year. Robert Vaughn leads the club with five interceptions for the season, while Lutrus ranks second to him with four picks of his own.

UConn is not an overpowering team by any means, so expect a close game all the way through. Rutgers has the edge on offense and if it can avoid making costly mistakes, expect the Knights to pull off the upset in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Rutgers 24, Connecticut 17