Charlotte quarterback Conner Harrell finally has coach Tim Albin’s offense finishing drives. At Temple, in only his second start of the season, Harrell picked the Owls apart, completing 23 of 31 passes for 281 yards, throwing two touchdowns and running for two more. The 49ers drove at least 65 yards for all five touchdowns. Albin brings Harrell home to Jerry Richardson Stadium after a bye. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tulane Green Wave.
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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Charlotte vs. Tulane prediction, preview
On third-and-five at Temple, Harrell found wideout Derrick Eley for 32 yards. Eley caught six passes for 96 yards, tight end Brody Dawyot four for 60, and running back Henry Rutledge tore through the Owls for 123 on 17 carries. Albin should return to Rutledge and Harrell near the goal line against Tulane, who just let UTSA run for 223 yards and six touchdowns while converting an exasperating 12 of 16 third downs.
Tulane coach Will Hall can answer on the ground against a Charlotte front that let Temple rush for 206 yards. Running back Johnnie Daniels ripped off an 81-yard run against UTSA to set up his own seven-yard touchdown, yet finished with just eight carries for 104 yards. Fellow back Maurice Turner has resumed full practice after missing that game. Hall should lean harder on Daniels while he’s still moving blockers around a freshman quarterback.
Hall is preparing his fifth starting combination up front after right tackle Ryan Mickow went down against UTSA. He shifted left guard Reese Baker to right tackle and restored guard Gresham Perry on the left. Freshman quarterback Trace Johnson now makes his first college road start behind those reshuffled blockers. Johnson labored through 44 attempts for 265 yards against UTSA, throwing two interceptions without a touchdown. Tulane turned the ball over six times and scored only one offensive touchdown.
Tulane vs. Charlotte pick, best bet
Johnson can still hurt Charlotte through wideout Destyn Hill, who caught four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown against Memphis, and receiver Garrett Mmahat, who caught a 56-yarder against UTSA. Charlotte let Temple throw for 249 yards after surrendering 382 at North Texas. Hall can attack that secondary through Hill and Mmahat as Daniels threatens another long run. I still favor Tulane to win.
Harrell threw two interceptions at North Texas, where Charlotte allowed six sacks. Tulane can get after him, having sacked Memphis seven times, although they also conceded 306 passing yards while forcing six turnovers in that 31–17 win. At Temple, Charlotte allowed only one sack; Harrell finished five long touchdown drives without an interception. Albin has Harrell driving Charlotte toward touchdowns with his arm and legs, and Rutledge running well alongside him; Hall is still rearranging blockers around Johnson. I’ll take the 8.5.
Best bet: Charlotte +8.5 (-110).
Projected score: Tulane 27, Charlotte 24.
Best Bet: Charlotte +8.5 (-110) vs. Tulane
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