Wake Forest (2-4) will take a mid-season break from ACC conference play as it travels to the northeast to take on the UConn Huskies (4-2).
Wake Forest enters this game with a 2-4 record and is coming off a 35-point loss to Clemson. The Demon Deacons have a 2-4 record against the spread. UConn, meanwhile, holds a 4-2 record and is riding a three-game winning streak entering this contest. They hold a 4-2 record against the spread.
UConn is a 2-point favorite on the spread with a 57.5-point over/under. The game kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 19, and can be streamed live on CBS Sports Network.
Weather will be favorable for scoring in this game. No precipitation is in the forecast and winds are projected around 2 mph. Let's take a closer look at this matchup in our Wake Forest vs UConn predictions and college football picks for their NCAAF Week 8 matchup.
Wake Forest vs UConn Prediction
- Wake Forest vs UConn Pick: UConn -2
My Wake Forest vs UConn best bet is on the Huskies to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Wake Forest vs UConn Odds
| Wake Forest Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 57 -110o / -110u | +102 |
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 57 -110o / -110u | -122 |
- Wake Forest vs UConn Point Spread: Wake Forest +2 (-110) · UConn -2 (-110)
- Wake Forest vs UConn Total: Over/Under 57.5
- Wake Forest vs UConn Moneyline: Wake Forest +105 · UConn -125
Wake Forest vs UConn Preview
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview: Struggles on Defense
Dave Clawson's team has largely struggled this season with four losses in their first six games. Wake Forest has averaged 27.8 points per game and 5.7 yards per play. They've averaged a 45.9% Success Rate and 3.95 points per opportunity. Wake Forest plays at a blazing 23.5 seconds per play pace, which ranks ninth nationally.
Hank Bachmeier leads a passing attack that averages 36.3 pass attempts per game and 257 yards per game. Bachmeier has completed 62.9% of his passes for an average of 7.3 yards per attempt. As a team, Wake Forest has a 42.4% Pass Success Rate and averages 3.5 20+ yard passes per game.
Demond Claiborne is the clear leader in the backfield. As a team, the Demon Deacons have averaged 4.2 yards per rush on 33 rushes per game. Clairborne has 524 rushing yards and six touchdowns. His backfield-mate Tate Carney has 189 rushing yards and four scores. Wake Forest has a 50.8% Rush Success Rate behind an offensive line averaging 3.26 line yards per attempt.
The defense has struggled this season. They have allowed 34 points per game and 6.5 yards per play. Opponents have averaged a 53.7% Success Rate and have scored 4.44 points per opportunity.
Connecticut Huskies Betting Preview: Exceeding Expectations
Jim Mora's third season with Connecticut is on pace to be his best, as he's only two wins from matching his prior season high. UConn has averaged 35.8 points per game and 6.1 yards per play. They have a 42.8% Success Rate and have averaged 3.73 points per opportunity. They've averaged 25.7 seconds per play, which ranks 34th nationally.
While the Huskies' offense favors the running game, quarterback Joe Fagnano has demonstrated high-level efficiency this season. He's completing just 58.2% of his passes but has an average of 10.2 yards per attempt and his 17.5 yards per completion leads the FBS. UConn is averaging 229.3 passing yards per game and has a 40.9% Pass Success Rate. They average 3.33 passes over 20 yards per game.
It's a three-headed monster in the UConn backfield as three backs have at least 50 carries and 300 yards. Durrell Robinson has the highest efficiency at 7.7 yards per attempt and has turned that into 421 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Sharing the backfield is Camryn Edwards and Jayden Brown with 320 and 315 rushing yards, respectively. As a team, they have a 44.4% Rush Success Rate behind an offensive line that generates 3.22 line yards per attempt.
UConn's defense has been a strength this season. They've allowed 21.7 points per game and 5.1 yards per play. Opponents have averaged a 36.2% Success Rate and 2.68 points per opportunity. They've generated a 17.2% Havoc rate, including six forced turnovers and two defensive touchdowns.
Wake Forest vs UConn
Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Wake Forest and UConn match up statistically:
Wake Forest Offense vs. UConn Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 18 | — |  |
| Line Yards | 51 | — | |
| Pass Success | 71 | — | |
| Havoc | 44 | — | |
| Finishing Drives | 73 | — | |
| Quality Drives | 90 | — | |
UConn Offense vs. Wake Forest Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | — | 131 | |
| Line Yards | — | 130 | |
| Pass Success | — | 131 | |
| Havoc | — | 132 | |
| Finishing Drives | — | 113 | |
| Quality Drives | — | 128 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 34 | — |
| PFF Coverage | 119 | — |
| Special Teams SP+ | 45 | — |
| Middle 8 | 35 | — |
| Seconds per Play | 23.5 (9) | — |
| Rush Rate | 48% (109) | — |
Wake Forest vs UConn Pick & Prediction
Both sharps and the public appear to be backing the favorite. Sharp money bets have been tracked on the over, while big money bets have favored the under.
My preferred bet is to back the Huskies, who are laying less than a field goal. UConn's efficient passing offense and multiple running backs will create problems for a struggling Wake Forest defense. They should be favored by more than a field goal.
Pick: UConn -2 | Play to -3
Wake Forest vs UConn Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How To Watch
| Location: | Pratt & Whitney Stadium, East Hartford, Connecticut |
| Date: | Saturday, Oct. 19 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | CBS Sports Network |
Wake Forest vs UConn will be played at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 12 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live on CBS Sports Network.
Wake Forest vs UConn Betting Trends
- 61% of the tickets and 88% of the money is on UConn to cover the spread.
- 46% of the bets but 81% of the money is on the under.
- 90% of the tickets but just 26% of the cash on the moneyline is on the Huskies.
