The UConn Huskies team total u16.5 points (-105) is my favorite play for Saturday's Fenway Bowl against Army. UConn enters this matchup as a shell of their 9-3 regular-season self, ravaged by opt-outs, a coaching exodus, and a palpable lack of motivation. Meanwhile, Army's defense has sharpened into a stingy unit late in the year, capping off with a gutsy performance against Navy, and head coach Jeff Monken's track record ensures his Black Knights will treat this "meaningless" bowl like a war zone.

Start with UConn's opt-outs, which have gutted their offense. Star quarterback Joe Fagnano, who threw for 3,448 yards and 28 touchdowns with just one pick, has bowed out to prep for the NFL Draft and all-star games like the East-West Shrine Bowl. Leading rusher Cam Edwards, a key cog in their ground attack, entered the transfer portal and won't suit up. Offensive lineman Brady Wayburn hit the portal too, weakening protection up front. On defense, starting cornerback and kick returner Cam Chadwick is gone via transfer, thinning the secondary. That's at least four starters sidelined, turning a potent attack into a patchwork mess.

The QB room is a disaster, potentially forcing UConn to their fourth-stringer. With Fagnano out, backup Nick Evers—who started parts of last season—steps in, but whispers of lingering injuries or portal considerations could sideline him too. Third-string Tucker McDonald has minimal experience, and if any tweaks hit in practice, they're down to unproven walk-ons or freshmen. Against Army's disciplined front, this spells stalled drives and turnovers galore. UConn's offense, already inconsistent without their stars, averaged just 24 points per game; strip the leaders, and they're lucky to hit double digits.

Compounding the chaos: Head coach Jim Mora has already bolted for Colorado State, announced weeks ago, leaving the Huskies under interim Gordon Sammis. Mora's departure—after back-to-back nine-win seasons—has the team checked out. Players loyal to him are eyeing transfers, and morale is tanked; reports suggest some are sitting to avoid injury before following him. This isn't a motivated squad chasing glory—it's a group phoning it in, focused on the portal window closing post-bowl.

Flip to Army: Their defense improved markedly down the stretch, holding opponents to under 200 yards in key wins like a 24-7 throttling of Charlotte. They looked elite against Navy in the season finale, falling 17-16 in a nail-biter where they bottled up the Midshipmen's rush and forced clutch stops. That resilience? Pure Jeff Monken magic. The veteran coach, with fiery pregame speeches and a history of bowl upsets, always rallies his troops—even in meaningless games. He's led Army to multiple bowl wins, emphasizing brotherhood and execution, turning 6-6 squads into defensive buzzsaws.

UConn's depleted, demotivated squad faces a hungry Army D primed to dominate. Expect field goals at best for the Huskies. Lock in the team total u16.5, and enjoy one of the most boring offensive performances of the entire season. I'll be shocked if the Huskies are able to put up double digit points in this one.