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FACTS & STATS: Site: Rentschler Field (40,000) -- Storrs, Connecticut. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Iowa State 2-0, Connecticut 1-0. Away Record: Iowa State 0-0, Connecticut 0-1. Neutral Record: Iowa State 0-0, Connecticut 0-0. Conference Record: Iowa State 0-0, Connecticut 0-0. Series Record: Connecticut leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Iowa State Cyclones will test their undefeated record this weekend in a trip to Storrs, meeting the Connecticut Huskies in non-conference action.

Iowa State is fresh of a 44-41 win over instate rival Iowa in three overtimes, as the Cyclones came from behind to win after trailing in the fourth quarter in the second consecutive game. It was a rare win of sorts for Iowa State, with the 44 points being the most scored against Iowa in rivalry history, and the Cyclones gaining 473 yards, which was the program's most in almost two years. Head coach Paul Rhoads usually doesn't win in shootouts, but improved to 2-12 when his team allows 24 points or more, ending a three-game losing streak to the Hawkeyes in the process.

After handling Fordham in the season-opener, Connecticut picked on a team its own size and lost. Vanderbilt took advantage of three UConn interceptions and came from behind in the fourth quarter to win 24-21. The win nullified what was otherwise a notable performance by the defense and special teams unit, which scored both of UConn's touchdowns in the game and compensated for an offense that is still searching for its identity heading into the third game of the season.

Connecticut leads the series 1-0. The only other meeting between the two teams took place in Ames back in 2002.

Iowa State trailed Iowa on three different occasions in the fourth quarter and overtimes, but was led back by quarterback Steele Jantz. The junior college transfer completed 25-of-27 passing for 279 yards and four touchdowns, and added 42 yards rushing. Through two games, Jantz has completed 55.8 percent of his passes and has thrown for 466 yards, not to mention serve as the team's second leading rusher with 122 yards and two scores on the ground. Running back Shontrelle Johnson rushed 18 times for 108 yards against the Hawkeyes, and receiver Aaron Horne has emerged as the team's big-play threat, catching 11 balls for 163 yards through two games. The glare on Iowa State's offensive resume has been turnovers and losing the average time of possession battle (33:08 to 26:52), but it is still a team that has performed really well on third down (20-of-39) and on fourth down (5-of-5).

The defense has been mediocre against Northern Iowa and Iowa. The Cyclones gave up 41 points to the Hawkeyes, which was the most in a win since 2000. The unit has surrendered 750 yards of total offense in its two games, including just 388 through the air. While the offense has struggled in the turnover department, the defense hasn't been particularly opportunistic with just two recovered fumbles to show for. Linebacker Jake Knott has proven worthy of his Bednarik Watch List selection in the preseason, leading the team in tackles with 22, including 2.5 for loss and a fumble recovery.

After hanging 35 points and 434 yards of total offense against Fordham (including 206 yards rushing), UConn struggled to get anything going against Vanderbilt. Running back Lyle McCombs carried the load for the Huskies in Nashville, rushing 27 times for 118 yards, but four turnovers and five sacks came back to haunt UConn down the stretch. Traditionally, the UConn running attack has been prolific and through two games in 2011 that trend has continued, with McCombs posting 259 yards and averaging a 5.1 yard average with four touchdowns. The passing game has struggled at times, as quarterback Johnny McEntee has completed just 18-of-39 for 212 yards and three interceptions through two games (all three picks came against Vanderbilt). Keeping drives alive has been an issue for McEntee and the offense, with the Huskies going just 6-of-23 on third down against Fordham and Vanderbilt combined.

The UConn defense has been a solid unit through the first two games of 2011. The unit put the Huskies in position to win last week against the Commodores after Yawin Smallwood returned a fumble 64 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Vanderbilt went on to win the game on a pick-six and a late field goal. UConn held the Commodores to 259 yards of total offense and forced the offense to go just 2-of-16 on third down. The unit has been particularly stout against the run, holding opponents to just 138 yards (2.2 yards per carry) and one score. Smallwood has 15 tackles, and linebacker Jory Johnson has added 19 with one for loss and an interception in the first two contests.

Iowa State has all the momentum heading into Storrs, and a win over Iowa should give this team plenty of confidence moving forward. The defense is still suspect, and needed the fourth-quarter heroics of Jantz to bail it out. For all of the problems Connecticut has had in the passing game, McCombs can flat-out run and this defense played lights out a week ago. UConn prevails in a close, hard-fought game.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Connecticut 20, Iowa State 14