Posted at 8:00 AM ET. Odds are subject to change

Delaware +8 -110 over Connecticut

Delaware Stadium, Newark, DE

Streaming: ESPN+

3:00 PM EST. UConn’s improvement under Jim Mora Jr. has been noticeable, but the Huskies enter this week in as difficult a scheduling and psychological spot as you’ll find. Last week’s collapse at Syracuse wasn’t just a loss — it was a soul-crusher. UConn controlled nearly every key stat, committing no turnovers, limiting penalties, and holding the Orange to just 1.5 yards per carry. Yet somehow, after leading by double digits with under six minutes left, they folded and lost in overtime. That type of defeat cuts deeper than a routine loss; it erodes belief. Teams often talk about “finishing,” and when you blow a game you’ve dominated, the film room becomes a replay of missed chances and squandered effort. The mental bruise of a defeat like that often lingers into the next week, and the fact that UConn must immediately hit the road amplifies the challenge. This is not a team returning home to reset; this is a team asked to pick itself up off the mat and face a highly motivated underdog on the road.

Delaware is exactly the type of opponent you don’t want to see in this spot. The Blue Hens are treating this like their Super Bowl — the program’s first-ever FBS vs. FBS home game. The crowd will be energized, the players will be fueled by history, and the staff will have circled this date for months. And while their 31–7 loss at Colorado looks ugly, the underlying numbers tell a different story: Delaware actually gained more yards per play than the Buffaloes. That means they moved the ball effectively against a far more talented roster, and with the advantage of home field, they can absolutely replicate that production against a UConn team still reeling. Delaware’s style is particularly dangerous here: they’re a disciplined group that leans on balance and special teams, traits that shorten games and keep underdogs within striking distance. Against a favorite vulnerable to a letdown, that’s a recipe for value.

This is why situational handicapping matters. Not every bad loss translates into a fade, but some do — and UConn’s loss to Syracuse checks all the boxes of a demoralizer. They blew a lead against a local rival in heartbreaking fashion, they must regroup quickly without the benefit of home comfort, and now they face an opponent brimming with motivation and historical significance. Delaware is not just “another MAC team” or “an easy rebound spot.” They’re a capable program with a live crowd behind them, facing a favorite that has every reason to come in flat. From a betting perspective, Delaware plus the points is the side with value. The Huskies may still find a way to win straight up, but all the situational arrows point to the Hens being the smarter wager.

Take advantage of BET365's early payout offers

For straight bets,

Football  if the team you back to win goes up 17 points at any stage during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full regardless of whether the opposition comes back to win the game.

Hockey: if the team you back to win goes up 4 goals at any stage during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full regardless of whether the opposition comes back to win the game.

BASEBALL: if the team you back to win goes 5 runs ahead at any stage during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full regardless of whether the opposition comes back to win the game.

Basketball: if the team you back to win goes up 21 points at any stage during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full regardless of whether the opposition comes back to win the game.

Applies to parlays and Same Game Parlays