UConn Football: 5 Games Huskies Will Win to Clinch Bowl Berth

With last night's 17-3 defeat of the Buffalo Bulls, the UConn Huskies broke a two-game losing streak to improve to 2-2 on the season.

The Huskies have gone to four consecutive bowl games, including last year's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, but early on in the season it looked like that streak would be snapped.

In order to qualify for a bowl, a team has to have at least six wins. With a record of 2-2, the Huskies will need at least four more wins to have a chance, but if they get seven, they are almost guaranteed a bid.

Here are five games the Huskies will win to give themselves a berth in a bowl game. 

Next Saturday, the UConn Huskies welcome the Western Michigan Broncos to Rentschler Field for a matchup that will put one of the two teams over the .500 mark on the season.

Both 2-2, this game could be a turning point for each team to send them on the right track to a bowl berth, and that is exactly what it will do for the Huskies.

Trick shot sensation Johnny McEntee finally looked like a reliable quarterback against Buffalo, with 213 yards and two touchdowns.

But most importantly, he didn't turn the ball over.

If McEntee continues to play the way he did against Buffalo, the Huskies should have no issues getting a bowl bid. 

This year, the Huskies will have to win a majority of their Big East Conference games to enter a bowl and those wins will begin on Nov. 5 against Syracuse.

The Orange are a much improved team this season and will definitely give the Huskies all they can handle.

Although improved, the Orange are giving up 27.8 points a game, a stat that will not play in the favor when they face the Huskies.

The UConn "D" doesn't allow many points so if the offense is able to put up 28 points, it could be a victory for the Huskies. 

Former Syracuse coach and current UConn coach, Paul Pasqualoni, will get revenge on his old employer and take the win in this Big East matchup. 

When the Louisville Cardinals come to Rentschler Field in November both teams will be fighting for a bowl bid.

In the frigid weather of the New England winter, defense has a major effect on the game and that advantage goes to  the Huskies as they are 13th in the country in points against.

The stingy, Huskies defense allows just 13.5 point per game which will be the major factor in getting them into a bowl game.

Despite a lack luster offense, the defense will allow to Huskies to put up few points and still get a victory.

Look for this game to be a low scoring affair with the Huskies coming out on top and moving one step closer to a bow bid.  

The Nov. 26 matchup against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will make the UConn Huskies bowl eligible with a win.

Other than the non-conference games, this could be the Huskies easiest victory of the season.

The Scarlet Knights average just 99 rushing yards a game and in a time of the season where rushing is key, that will not be good enough to walk away from Hartford, Conn. with a win.

Once again, the Huskies defense will shut a team down giving them the victory.

With this win against the Scarlet Knights, the Huskies will have six on the season, making them bowl eligible.

The final game of the UConn Huskies 2011 schedule will be on of the toughest. With a win they will for sure lock up a bowl bid and will finish with seven victories.

Playing on the road is never easy in college football, making the game at Cincinnati a tough matchup for the young Huskies.

This game could go either way as the Bearcats have been dominant on the ground and through  the air and are fourth in the country in points per game with 49.5.

One factor that could play into the Huskies hands is the weather. If it snows on that Saturday, the game will become a defensive battle in which the Huskies will have the upper hand, as they do against most teams.

Look for the Huskies to come out on top, in a nail biter and punch their ticket to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at the New Yankee Stadium on Dec. 30.