Michigan @ UConn preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2010 ) Connecticut 10, Michigan 30

A week after defeating rival Notre Dame in an emotional affair, No. 14 Michigan needed a goal-line stand in the final seconds to hold off an upset bid from Akron. Following a mass exhalation, the Wolverines travel to Connecticut looking to wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule unbeaten. Michigan won the only meeting in the series 30-10 in 2010.

For UConn, a nationally televised date with Michigan is truly a step onto the big stage but the timing couldn't be worse. Not only are the Huskies winless but limp into the contest with many questions, especially on the offensive side of the ball. A few years after boasting one of the nation's best rushing attacks, UConn enters next-to-last in the nation at 59 yards per game.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Michigan -17.5.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (3-0): Offensive tackle Taylor Lewan called the Wolverines' performance against Akron (a 28-24 victory) an embarrassment and promised it wouldn't happen again. But not everything wrong with Michigan's performance last week could be traced to a hangover from the Notre Dame game. Quarterback Devin Gardener has thrown an interception which was returned for a touchdown in consecutive games and its perennial powerful defense ranks tied for 85th in the nation against the pass at 256.3 yards per game.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (0-2): UConn was stunned by FCS member Towson in its opener and lost a week ago to former coach Randy Edsall and Maryland. Now, with patience growing thin and the boo-birds turning up the heat, coach Paul Pasqualoni may need a signature win to save his job. The lack of a ground game has further hindered shaky quarterback Chandler Whitmer, who has 12 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in his collegiate career and may have to go without top receiver Shakim Phillips (hamstring).

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is Michigan's first road game of the season and UConn's third straight home contest.

2. Michigan is 6-0 all-time against teams in the AAC.

3. The game will feature the largest crowd in the 10-year history of UConn's Rentschler Field, which has a capacity of 40,000 - 67,501 less than Michigan Stadium.

PREDICTION: Michigan 40, Connecticut 10