Tulsa has spent the past two Saturdays chasing option quarterbacks who run all over them. Navy ran for 386 yards against them, then Rice quarterback Jacurri Brown broke touchdown runs of 50 and 78 yards. Now Tulsa hosts Army quarterback Cale Hellums at H.A. Chapman Stadium for tonight’s 8:30 p.m. ET Military Appreciation game. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the Army Black Knights.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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Tulsa vs. Army prediction, preview
Hellums has been a magnificent dual-threat so far, and is set up perfectly for this matchup. After gouging Tulane for 223 rushing yards, he tore into Florida Atlantic for 195 more and five touchdowns. Fullback Jake Rendina burst 61 yards for a score during his own 86-yard afternoon. Army coach Jeff Monken trusted Hellums on all four fourth-down conversions, including a 21-yard run on fourth-and-four. Tulsa should get few conventional pass-rushing downs against an offense that attempted two throws last week. Monken can lean on Hellums even when Tulsa wins an early down.
Tulsa did seem to find their footing a bit at Rice, where they shut the Owls out after halftime. They forced Jacurri Brown out, however, and played some second-half snaps against his backup. Against Navy, Tulsa also forced four turnovers, but still surrendered touchdown drives of 75, 62 and 82 yards after halftime. Linebackers Chris Thompson Jr. and Dax Collins have extensive recent practice sorting out the ball carriers, and can provide veteran reads on RPOs. They still have to get somebody down, though, and tackling’s been an issue. Across the line of scrimmage, Army’s offense reached the end zone on drives of 75, 75 and 68 yards before halftime against FAU; Monken has ample evidence that his offense can score from ordinary field position, and this defense gives up gashing drives.
Army will likely struggle to force Tulsa quarterback Baylor Hayes off the field, though. Hayes picked Rice apart for 249 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with ten receivers and avoiding an interception. Wideout Oran Singleton Jr. caught seven passes for 87 yards; receiver Javon Ross had already caught seven for 90 at Navy. Army’s secondary allowed a generous 7.7 yards per pass attempt through six games. Hayes should have plenty of looks to extend drives against that coverage, particularly with Army’s pass rush managing only six sacks through six games. Tulsa will get the time they need to sling a longball.
Army vs. Tulsa pick, best bet
Tulsa coach Tre Lamb can also hand the ball to running backs Trequan Jones and Damari Alston, who combined for 129 rushing yards at Rice. Army has conceded 5.1 yards per carry this season, enough room for those backs to make passing downs manageable. Tulsa finished touchdown drives of 75, 62 and 72 yards at Rice. Lamb has an offense capable of marching from their own territory. Army’s defense makes laying points with the Black Knights unappealing.
Tulsa returns home after consecutive road games, with Hayes playing well enough to make this another tight fourth quarter. Army has turned the ball over just twice through six games, limiting one source of Tulsa’s scoring help. Monken already trusted Hellums through a 12-play winning drive against Tulane. In a close finish, I prefer that partnership at +1.5.
Best bet: Army +1.5 (-110).
Projected score: Army 31, Tulsa 27.
Best Bet: Army +1.5 (-110) at Tulsa
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