College football preview capsule: USF Bulls at Connecticut Huskies

USF has lost its past two in East Hartford, and weather will be a factor today (33 at kickoff, 90 percent chance of rain/snow, wind 14 mph). The Bulls (7-4, 3-3 Big East) are 1-2 when temperature at kickoff is lower than 40, the win coming in 2007 at Pittsburgh. USF won't likely learn its bowl fate until Sunday, though it likely will be either Birmingham, Ala., or Toronto. As up and down as this season has been, a win would match USF's best conference record in five seasons in the Big East. Coach Jim Leavitt, right, turns 53 today. UConn is 6-5, 2-4.

What to watch for …

Huskies WR Marcus Easley, a walk-on senior, has caught touchdown passes in all six Big East games. After four games this season, his career stats were seven catches for 130 yards, but he leads the Big East in league play in yards, touchdowns and average yards per catch. USF's top downfield threat, junior Carlton Mitchell is closer to his old self after missing three games with a high ankle sprain and being limited to one catch vs. Miami. USF's season and career marks for receiving yards are within his reach.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

USF at Connecticut, 8, ESPN2, 970-AM