UCF vs Tulsa NCAA Football Game Picks 11/8/2019

Friday, November 8, 2019

Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium

Zach Smith and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane host the UCF Knights at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium on Friday, November 8, 2019. UCF opens this contest as 14.5-point favorites. The Knights are 4-5-0 ATS and 6-3-0 when betting on the total. The Golden Hurricane are 4-5-0 when wagering on the over/under and 5-4-0 against the spread.

In their last contest, the UCF Knights faced the Houston Cougars and won 44-29. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Knights was Dillon Gabriel who went 21/30 with 298 yards passing and tossed 3 touchdowns. He finished this contest without throwing a pick. Bentavious Thompson led the team in rushing during the game. He had a long run of 43 yards and he notched 2 TD's for the game. He rushed for a total of 65 yards by way of 7 carries which means he ran for an average of 9.3 yards per carry. Tre Nixon led the team in receiving yardage with a total of 123 yards on 6 receptions. He had an average of 20.5 yards per catch during the game. The Knights ran the ball a total of 25 times and generated 171 yards which gave them an average of 6.8 yards per carry. For the game, they ran 57 plays which gave them a total of 475 yards. Overall, the Knights totaled 16 first downs and they had 5 penalties for 32 yards which is telling of how their week of practice went. On the defensive side of the ball, UCF conceded 18 completions on 30 attempts for a total of 179 yards, and a completion percentage of 60.0%. In the game, they conceded 419 yards and earned 1 turnover. On the ground, the Knights conceded 240 yards on 49 tries which gave them an average of 4.9 yards per attempt allowed.

The Knights come into this matchup with a record of 7-2 this season. For total yards, they rank 1st in the AAC and 1st in the nation with 4,966 yards. They are one of the most potent offenses in the country with an average of 46.3 points per game, which has them at 5th in the nation. As a unit, they have an average of 226.9 yards on the ground per game which is 3rd in the conference. The Knights have one of the average defenses in college football, giving up 22.4 points per contest ranking them 2nd in the American Athletic Conference. When it comes to yards through the air, the Knights have allowed 2,924 yards. Teams are completing 53.1% of the throws they are attempting against them and averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. In regard to yards on the ground, UCF is allowing 138.3 yards per game which has them at 4th in the conference and 45th in Division 1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.5 yards per carry putting them 3rd in the conference and 28th in Division 1 overall. Overall, they have conceded 1,245 yards rushing through 9 contests.

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The last time they took the field, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane played the Tulane Green Wave and took the defeat by a score of 38-26. Shamari Brooks paced the team in rushing during the game. His longest run of the day went for 23 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He ran for 65 yards via 17 carries which meant he was running for 3.8 yards per carry. Keylon Stokes was the receiving yardage leader by racking up 78 yards on 3 receptions. He averaged 26.0 yards per reception during the game. Running the show from under center for the Golden Hurricane was Zach Smith who went 17/33 with 270 yards passing and added 1 touchdown. He walked away from this game with no interceptions. The Golden Hurricane rushed the ball a total of 38 times and earned a total of 128 yards which earned them an average of 3.4 yards per attempt. In the game, the Golden Hurricane racked up 22 first downs and they totaled 6 penalties for 50 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. On the day, they ran 71 plays which added up to 398 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Tulsa conceded 12 catches on 16 tries for a total of 184 yards, and a completion percentage of 75.0%. On the day, they conceded a total of 474 yards and earned 2 takeaways. Against the run, the Golden Hurricane conceded 290 yards on 46 carries which is an average of 6.3 yards per run allowed.

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The Golden Hurricane head into this game 2-7. In terms of offensive proficiency, the Golden Hurricane have one of the average offenses in the nation. Tulsa hasn't done much to make teams fear their rushing game by averaging 131.6 yards on the ground per contest, putting them 102nd in college football. As a unit, they have compiled a total of 1,184 rushing yards through 9 contests, so they'll need to look to improve on these numbers if they want to compete with the better teams in the nation. The Golden Hurricane average 403.8 yards per game overall ranking them 68th in the country and 7th in the AAC. The Golden Hurricane are giving up 33 points per game ranking them 11th in the American Athletic Conference and 108th in the country. Their pass defense is one of the middle of the road units in the country. They are giving up 202 passing yards per contest. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Golden Hurricane are ranked 4th in the AAC. In regard to points given up, they have allowed 297 total points. In terms of yards rushing, they are giving up 205.3 yards per game ranking them 112th in D-1 and 10th in the AAC. In 2019, they have given up 1,848 yards rushing and 25.2 rushing TDs.

Who will win tonight's Knights/Golden Hurricane college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Golden Hurricane +14.5

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