College Football Pick: Tulsa Golden Hurricane at #23 USF Bulls
Will USF Bulls Crush the Tulsa Golden Hurricane?
The unranked Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-8 Overall, 1-5 AAC) meet the #23 USF Bulls (8-1 Overall, 5-1 AAC) tonight at 7:30. Our Tulsa plays USF 2017 college football free pick has the Bulls at -21.5 and the over/under at 64.5. The Golden Hurricane have lost four of their last five, while USF has gone 4-1 over that same stretch. The Bulls are very heavily favored in this one and we do expect them to score a lot. Here’s our take on this college football game.
Tulsa- Pluses and Minuses
The good news for Tulsa is they can score. They’re averaging 31.0 PPG. The bad news is they cannot stop opponents from scoring. The Golden Hurricane is allowing opponents 38.0 PPG. Freshman QB Luke Skinner (56.0 COMP%, 3 TDs, 4 INTs) took over signal calling duties about halfway through the season and that put former starting quarterback Chad President at the running back spot. President is averaging 7.2 YPA and he has nine rushing TDs. RB Shamari Brooks has compiled 10 TD while averaging 5.8 YPA and RB D’Angelo Brewer has scored eight times rushing while averaging 5.0 YPA.
Tulsa’s pass defense is weak, as is their rush D. They have posted an impressive 50 TFL. DE Jeremy Smith and LB Craig Suits bring some impressive numbers into tonight’s game. Smith has 7.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks, and 49 tackles, while Suits has 9.5 TFL and 57 tackles. Still, on defense this team is prone to allowing numerous big plays each game.
Golden Hurricane Summary
- Good ground offense
- Close to no passing game
- Defense is exceptionally weak.
USF- Pluses and Minuses
The Bulls can score, as they’re averaging a whopping 39.1 PPG, and they can stop opponents from putting points on the scoreboard as they are giving up only 19.9 PPG. QB Quinton Flowers is one of the top college talents in the U.S. He has 15 TD passes and nine rushing scores. Flowers has completed 55.1% of his tosses and is averaging 5.2 YPA. RB Darius Tice is averaging 5.4 YPA and has scored nine times, while RB D’Ernest Johnson has crossed the goal line seven time and is averaging 4.2 YPA. Top receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has 44 receptions, which total 24 more than the nearest Hurricane receiver. He’s scored five times.
The Bulls are very tough against the run and can seemingly make picks at will. They have posted over 75 TFL, 27 sacks, and 10 INTs. They have also defended 41 passes and forced and recovered four fumbles. Standouts include deep back Devin Abraham with four interceptions, corner Deatrick Nichols with three picks eight PD, and three TFL, and DT Bruce Hector with 5.5 sacks and 11.5 TFL. The defense is talented and deep.
Bulls Summary
- Very tough, accomplished D
- Fine rush attack
- Enough passing to keep opponents off-balance
Three Major Takeaways
Here are three major takeaways connected to our Tulsa plays USF 2017 college football free pick.
- Bull dominate on defense
- Hurricane offense can score
- Tulsa defense will have a hard time controlling USF
Our Golden Hurricane at Bulls Free Picks
We don’t anticipate Tulsa lasting much past the second quarter. We really see the Golden Hurricane struggling in this one. They are, after all, tied for the worst record in the ACC, while USF is tied for the second-best. Our Tulsa plays USF 2017 college football free pick anticipates a Bulls win with the spread at 21.5. Also, we are going with the over.
Tulsa plays USF Spread and Over/Under Free Pick: Bulls -21.5 and over 64.5
