TULSA (2 - 7) at UCF (5 - 3) - 11/14/2014, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULSA is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TULSA is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TULSA is 2-0 against the spread versus UCF over the last 3 seasons
TULSA is 2-0 straight up against UCF over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
TULSA vs. CENTRAL FLORIDA
Tulsa is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tulsa's last 6 games on the road
Central Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Central Florida's last 12 games at home
NCAAF Week 12
Home side won five of last six Tulsa-Central Florida games; Tulsa beat UCF twice in 2012, 33-27/23-21, but Golden Hurricane is 2-7 this year, ending its 7-game skid with win last week over woeful SMU. UCF won four of last five I-A games, with only one of those wins by more than 7 points. Knights are 2-3 as favorite this year, 2-1 at home. Tulsa is 2-1 as road underdog this year, but only one of its four road losses was by less than 20 points. AAC home favorites are 6-12 against spread.
Armadillosports.com
Game of the Day: Tulsa at UCF
By Covers.com
Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Central Florida Knights (-20.5, 55)
UCF has had plenty of time to digest its first conference loss and recharge for a run at another possible league crown. That push begins again at home Friday when the Golden Knights renew acquaintances with former Conference USA rival Tulsa, which snapped a seven-game losing streak last weekend. UCF, which went 8-0 to win the American Athletic title last year, had won five straight overall and its first three AAC games before a 37-29 loss at Connecticut on Nov. 1.
UCF, the AAC leader in total defense, allowed 179 yards on the ground and 20 consecutive points in the second half against a Huskies team that had yet to defeat an FBS opponent this season. The Golden Hurricane took advantage of a matchup with winless SMU at home Saturday, riding Dane Evans' career-high five touchdown passes to a 38-28 triumph. Tulsa has won four straight meetings, including the most recent encounter in the 2012 Conference USA title game.
LINE HISTORY: UCF opened as big 18-point home favorites and bettors didn't think that was enough as the line has risen to UCF -20.5. The total has held steady at 55.
INJURY REPORT: Tulsa - G Billy Lafortune (questionable Friday, undisclosed). UCF - OL Chavis Dickey (questionable Friday, ankle), OL Joey Grant (questionable Friday, shoulder), WR Rannell Hall (questionable Friday, hamstring).
WEATHER REPORT: It will be a clear night at Bright House Networks Stadium with temperatures in the low 60's at gametime. There will be a nine mile per hour wind gusting towards the south end zone.
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Tulsa has been terrible on the road this season. The Golden Hurricane are winless at 0-4 SU (2-2 ATS) with those four losses coming by 29, 25, 11, and 20 point margins. Tulsa’s defense has been non-existent on the road as they are giving up 41.7 points per game on a whopping 7.6 yards per play. Central Florida is a perfect 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS at home this season with their four wins coming by 34, 7, 7, and 20 points. The Knights’ defense has been outstanding on their home field, allowing an average of just 14.5 points per game on 3.5 yards per play." - Covers Expert Steve Merril
ABOUT TULSA (2-7, 3-6 ATS, 8-1 O/U): The Golden Hurricane will not appear in a bowl game for the second straight season after earning a berth in seven of the previous eight years, but they have seen Evans lay the foundation for a turnaround. Evans struggled after seizing the starting role as a freshman last year and then threw nine interceptions while posting a 54.6 percent completion rate through his first five games in 2014. He has tossed 10 TDs with zero picks since and has bumped his completion percentage to 56.4 while averaging 302.3 passing yards.
ABOUT UCF (5-3, 4-4 ATS, 4-4 O/U): Several trends are in the favor of the Golden Knights, who have won 12 straight games played on a weekday - including five in a row on Fridays - and 23 consecutive contests that begin at 3 p.m. local time or later. That might not matter a bit if they cannot do a better job of holding on to the football - UCF has turned the ball over 14 times in the past four games, including three contests with four giveaways. Quarterback Justin Holman was the primary culprit against Connecticut, throwing four interceptions.
TRENDS:
* Tulsa is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings.
COVERS CONSENSUS: The consensus is close, with 51 percent of wagers backing UCF as 20.5-point favorite.
Tulsa vs. UCF Betting Preview and Pick
By: Ryan Mercier
Sportingnews.com
LAS VEGAS – It had been since August that the Tulsa Golden Hurricane scored a victory, but they did just that last Saturday against SMU. As for Central Florida, the Knights had a five-game winning streak snapped at Connecticut two weeks ago. UCF is still in play for a bowl bid, and Friday night the Knights will welcome the Hurricane (8 p.m., ESPN 2).
The Line: UCF -20, Total: 55.5
Line movement: It was a resounding consensus in sports books across Las Vegas as Central Florida opened as an 18-point favorite. But the number was bet up in early wagering to as high as 21. For updated spreads and totals from around Las Vegas, visit our live odds page.
Trends that matter: Tulsa is 2-6 ATS in its last eight games overall....UCF is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 home games but 0-5 ATS in its last five games against a team with a losing record....The OVER is 5-0 in Tulsa's last five conference games while the UNDER is 5-2 in UCF's last seven conference games.
Tulsa is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings, and the UNDER is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings.
Under 30: Only one game this year has gone UNDER the total for Tulsa. It was smack-dab in the middle of a seven-game losing streak when the Golden Hurricane traveled to Colorado State. Tulsa failed to cover as an 18-point underdog, losing by a final score of 42-17.
Last week at home, Tulsa finally won its second game of the season. The amazing part, though, is that it was the first game all year long that the Hurricane held any team under 30 points. That is no typo. SMU had to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to even get close, as Tulsa won 38-28. The Hurricane failed to cover as a 14-point favorite, and the Mustangs still do not have a win on the season.
Now, that resume does include one double-overtime game and a triple-overtime contest. In Tulsa's only win previous to last Saturday, it was tied at 28 at the end of regulation. What was likely Tulsa's best defensive performance was holding Texas State to 17 in regulation in what ended up as a 37-34 triple-overtime loss.
Regardless of those facts, this defense is atrocious. It ranks worst in the nation giving up 7.1 yards per play.
The bright spot is sophomore wide receiver Keevan Lucas. UCF will have to concentrate on Lucas who has 79 catches, 1,017 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
Time to recover: UCF's loss to UConn was pretty inexcusable as it gave the Huskies their only conference win and second win of the season overall. Luckily, Central Florida has had time to reassess, as the Knights were off last week.
While it may not carry the prize of an automatic BCS bowl bid anymore, UCF still has a chance to be king of the American Athletic Conference once again if it wins out and gets a little help.
Before the game against Connecticut, Central Florida won five in a row straight up and covered four. In the last four games for the Knights the OVER is 3-1.
In complete contrast of the defensive unit for Tulsa, UCF ranks in the top-10 in the country defensively at just 4.4 yards per play. Of course, Central Florida doesn't play the same schedule as say, Stanford, but its competition on Friday night is the same caliber that the Knights are used to.
The offense for Central Florida has put together some low outputs, but that includes two road games against extremely tough defenses. UCF put up just 10 in Missouri and only 17 at Houston, though the Houston matchup was a 17-12 win and cover for the Knights.
At home this season, this mediocre offense actually averages over 31 points per game. It can't be emphasized enough that this will be the worst defense that Central Florida will see this season. That is, until next week when UCF hosts SMU.
Injuries that matter: There are a few injuries on the offensive side for UCF. Wide receiver Rannell Hall (hamstring) is questionable. On the O-line, both center Joey Grant (shoulder) and tackle Chavis Dickey (ankle) are also questionable.
Weather: The forecast calls for sun with temperatures in the mid-30s. Visit Weather Underground for the latest forecast.
The Linemakers lean: Tulsa's very generous defense has led to an 8-1 O/U record, and Central Florida's offense is superior to most of those on Tulsa's schedule. We like the OVER here, too, although the Knights' defense give us some pause. They're 8th in the country, allowing just 4.4 yards per play, and have held three of their last five opponents to 17 points or less. Still, two touchdowns from Dane Evans and the Tulsa offense should be enough to get this one OVER the total.
Partner pick: Massey-Peabody -- affectionately referred to as The Quants around these parts -- are laying the points with UCF.
College Football Friday Preview
Atssportsline.com
Tulsa (2-7 SU, 3-6 ATS, 8-1 O/U) at Central Florida (5-3 SU, 4-4 ATS, 4-4 O/U)
Last game: (12/1/12): Tulsa (-3) over UCF, 33-27ot.
Opening and Current Odds: UCF opened as a 18.5-point betting odds favorite and moved to 20.5 in most books. The total opened at 54.5 and moved to 56.
Weather: Mostly fair. North wind 5-10. Gametime temperature: 64.
Key College Trends
Tulsa is
4-9 ATS last 13 following an ATS loss.
2-6 ATS last 8 overall.
0-4 ATS last 4 following a SU win.
4-0 ATS last 4 in series.
Central Florida is:
4-1 ATS last 5 Friday games.
9-4 ATS last 13 home games.
Home team is 5-1 ATS last 6 in this series.
1-6 last 7 matchups on the under bet on Fridays.
Outlook: Tulsa is playing for pride at 2-7 overall and 2-3 in the American Athletic Conference. Last week, they beat winless SMU at home, 38-28, but didn't cover the 14. They've moved the ball well all year, averaging 438.3 yards per game, but averaged just 25.4 points per game, partially de to committing 15 turnovers. Dane Evans had a career-high five touchdown passes in the vicotry. Evans was having an ordinary season before the SMU game and now he has 2,576 yards passing with 19 TDs, nine picks and has completed 56.4 percent of his passes. Fortunately, Evans has an outstanding receiver in Keevan Lucas, who ranks fourth in FBS with 79 catches, sixth in yards with 1,017 and fifth in touchdowns with 10. Keyarris Garrett adds 35 receptions for 520 yards and three TDs. The running game has been inconsistent as they average 144.2 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry. Zach Langer leads with 646 rushing yards and 4.1 yards per carry. Tulsa's defense has been awful this season, allowing 484 yards per game, including 216.1 yards on the ground. They rank 119th in the nation in scoring defense, allwoing 39.2 points per game. Michael Mudoh leads with 86 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Central Florida would like to take advantage of the Tulsa rush defense, though they have not run the ball well at all this year, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry and 105.3 yards rushing per game. That's a big reason why they've averaged just 25.8 points per game and 330.1 yards per game. They are coming off a bye week as they attempt to rebound from a 37-29 road loss at Connecticut, as an 8.5-point favorite. The Knights have performed well on weekdays, having won 12 straight, including five in a row on Fridays and 23 straight games that begin at 3pm local time or later. The Knights are 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the AAC. They can tie Cincinnati, who beat East Carolina on Thursday night. Quarterback Justin Holman has struggled, completing less than 57 percent of his passes for 1,718 yards, with 16 touchdowns (three rushing) and 10 interceptions. He threw four picks against Connecticut, which halted UCF's five-game winning streak. They have two receivers to watch in Breshad Perriman (26 catches for 587 yards, five TDs) and J.J. Worton (31 for 422 yards, 3 TDs). Williams Stanback leads in rushing with 505 yards on 137 carries and eight TDs. Tne defense has been strong, allwoing just 21.4 points and 308.2 yards per game. Jacoby Glenn leads the secondary with five of their 11 picks. Terrance Plummer leads the team with 71 tackles, 11.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
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