Central Connecticut State Blue Devils @ Connecticut Huskies Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 8/30/2025 2:00 PM EDT

We have your Central Connecticut State Blue Devils @ Connecticut Huskies prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils hit the road to face the Connecticut Huskies.

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils @ Connecticut Huskies Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: Connecticut Huskies -4000, Central Connecticut State Blue Devils +1494
Best Spread Odds: Connecticut Huskies -25.5 (-110), Central Connecticut State Blue Devils +25.5 (-110)
Best Total Odds: Over 51.5 (-110), Under 51.5 (-110)

Game Info

Date: August 30, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM EDT
Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT
TV: WFSB-3 sister station WWAX, UConn+

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils @ Connecticut Huskies Preview

The Connecticut Huskies kick off their 2025 season at home against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils, looking to build on a successful 2024 campaign that saw them finish as Wasabi Fenway Bowl champions with a 9-4 record, their first winning season since 2010. Head Coach Jim Mora, now in his fourth season, has transformed the program and is just four wins shy of his 100th career head coaching victory. The Huskies enter this game ranked 81st in the 2025 SP+ preseason rankings and are expected to have an edge against FCS competition, despite replacing significant defensive talent across all three levels. Quarterback Joe Fagnano returns as the incumbent starter, supported by an established running back room, a rebuilt offensive line, and key receiver Skyler Bell. Transfer recruiting has been a major focus for UConn to continue their upward trajectory.

On the other side, the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils arrive as the defending Northeast Conference champions, coming off a strong 7-6 season that included a 5-1 conference record and a trip to the FCS playoffs. They are tabbed to repeat as NEC champions in the 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll, boasting eight players on the All-NEC Preseason squad. Their offense is spearheaded by Senior running back Elijah Howard, the 2024 NEC Player of the Year who rushed for 934 yards and nine touchdowns last year, and wideout Donovan Wadley, the 2023 NEC Offensive Player of the Year. Defensively, they return NEC Rookie of the Year Christopher Jean in the secondary. This matchup against UConn is Central Connecticut State's only FBS opponent this season, providing a significant test for the Blue Devils.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

This Saturday's game marks the fifth all-time meeting between the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils and the Connecticut Huskies. UConn has historically dominated this in-state rivalry, winning all four previous encounters. Their most recent matchup occurred in 2022, a game that saw UConn secure a 23-8 victory, which notably marked the first win for head coach Jim Mora during his tenure in Storrs. In that 2022 contest, the Huskies showcased a dominant ground game, piling up 274 rushing yards, with Nate Carter contributing 123 yards and Brian Brewton adding 62. The UConn defense was equally impressive, limiting CCSU to just three points and a mere 242 total yards of offense, including only 78 rushing yards. Overall, UConn holds a perfect 6-0 record against teams from the FCS Northeast Conference, further highlighting their historical success against opponents from CCSU's league.

Pick: Central Connecticut State Blue Devils +25.5

While the Connecticut Huskies are overwhelming favorites to win this season opener outright, the 25.5-point spread presents an interesting betting opportunity. UConn is projected to win by a significant margin, with a 94.2% chance of victory according to odds. However, the Huskies are integrating many new faces, particularly on defense, which could lead to some early-season growing pains and potential for a less-than-dominant performance against the spread. Central Connecticut State is not an average FCS team; they are the reigning Northeast Conference champions and return potent offensive weapons in running back Elijah Howard and wide receiver Donovan Wadley. These key players have the capability to keep the Blue Devils competitive and potentially exploit any defensive inconsistencies from a new-look UConn unit. Given the large spread and the quality of CCSU as an FCS program, we like the Blue Devils to cover the +25.5 points.