Tulsa Football: Odds Show Matchup with UCF Too Close to Call

Sports & Recreations

  • Author Jack Jones
  • Published December 20, 2011
  • Word count 593

Is it Hurricane season in Orlando?

Tulsa comes to town unbeaten in Conference USA and its prolific offense will face a stiff test when it visits UCF Thursday night in a key conference battle. Not only is Tulsa's ability to steal a victory in question, but can Tulsa do what no visiting team has done this year-score in double digits?

Tulsa is tied with Houston on top of the West Division and it will need a win to keep pace before the season finale versus the Cougars on Nov. 25. UCF needs a couple of wins to become bowl-eligible and to stay in the hunt in the East Division behind leader Southern Miss.

These two teams have split their four all-time meetings, which include two showdowns in the Conference USA Championship Game in 2005 and 2007. Tulsa won the last meeting in 2008 by a score of 49-19. The winner of this game has scored at least 44 points in every game in the series.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

The Golden Hurricane has won four straight games and is coming off a 38-7 home win over SMU. All three losses this year have come to nationally ranked opponents-all in the current Top 10 (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Boise State).  Tulsa has scored 37 or more points in each of the last four games.

The offense ranks 40th nationally in scoring (32 points per game) and produces 435 yards per game (252 passing, 183 rushing). G.J. Kinne completes 64 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,895 yards and 16 touchdowns with eight interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 13 sacks.

Willie Carter is the top receiving threat with 49 catches for 702 yards and five touchdowns. Bryan Burnham has added 31 grabs for 476 yards and six scores and Ja'Terian Douglas and Trey Watts have combined for 1,030 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry.

The defense ranks 73rd in the country in scoring (28 points per game), but has given up less than 18 points per game during their current win streak. The unit has recorded 14 sacks and has forced 20 turnovers, with two of those turnovers being returned for scores. Curnelius Arnick dominates the unit with 94 total tackles, adding 1.5 sacks and one interception.

Tyrunn Walker has four sacks, Milton Howell and Dexter McCoil have seven combined interceptions and Marco Nelson has two fumble recoveries. Dwight Dobbins also has an interception return for a touchdown.

UCF Knights

The Knights answered a two-game losing streak with a 41-0 home win over Memphis last week. In their four wins, UCF has allowed six points or fewer while going 4-0 at home, allowing nine total points in those games.

UCF is fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 14 points per game and giving up just 245 yards per contest (161 passing, 84 rushing). The unit has posted 11 sacks and forced 10 turnovers and returned one interception for a touchdown. Kemal Ishmael has posted a team-best 48 tackles. Jonathan Davis has three sacks, Josh Robinson and A.J. Bouye each have two interceptions and Ronnie Weaver has two forced fumbles.

The Knights' offense ranks 66th in scoring (27 points per game) while amassing 420 yards per game (238 passing, 182 passing). Quarterback Jeff Godfrey leads the offense, completing 68 percent of his passes for 1,451 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions, plus rushing for 338 yards and nine touchdowns (4.3 yards per carry).

The offensive line has allowed 17 sacks. When Godfrey hands off, it usually goes to Brynn Harvey (544 yards, 3 TDs, 4.7 yards per carry). When Godfrey throws, he's delivering it to one of four players with more than 20 receptions, led by Quincy McDuffie, who has 24 grabs for 271 yards and a touchdown.

Rannell Hall averages 32 yards per kickoff return.

The Tulsa at Central Florida spread is currently listing the Knights as 1.5-point favorites, while the total has been posted at 48.5 points. If you want a winner on this game check out the football handicappers at BetFirms.

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