Postponed: Tulsa at Houston: 11/28/20 College Football Picks and Prediction

On the season, Tulsa is averaging 29.2 ppg on 430.3 total yards per game (265.7 passing yds/g; 164.7 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Tulsa has been led by the RB trio of Deneric Prince (71 att, 356 yards, 2 TD), T.K. Wilkerson (73 att, 300 yards, 4 TD), and Corey Taylor II (44 att, 260 yards, 2 TD). QB Zach Smith (60.5 Comp %, 1,266 yards, 10 TD, 6 INT) is questionable after leaving the game against Tulane with a rib injury and was replaced by Davis Brin (19 of 29 for 268 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT). The top receiving threats for the Golden Hurricane have been Keylon Stokes (31 rec, 446 yards, 2 TD), Josh Johnson (32 rec, 408 yards, 5 TD), JuanCarlos Santana (23 rec, 353 yards, 3 TD), and Sam Crawford Jr. (20 rec, 249 yards, TD).

Defensively, Tulsa is holding their opponents to an average of 22.2 ppg on 358.8 total yards per game (210.3 passing yds/g; 148.5 rushing yds/g).

The Houston Cougars had their game last week against SMU postponed due to Covid-19 and come into this game with an overall record of 3-3 (3-2 AAC) on the season after defeating the South Florida Bulls, 56-21, on November 14th. Houston had its way on offensively against the Bulls and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 35-0 lead on a 72-yard punt return TD by Marcus Jones early in the 3rd quarter. Houston outgained USF by a 505-359 margin and won the turnover battle by a 2-1 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Cougars was QB Clayton Tune who completed 14 of 25 passes for 165 yards, 3 TD, & 1 INT while also adding 120 yards & 2 TD’s on the ground.

On the season, Houston is averaging 33.2 ppg on 425.8 total yards per game (267.8 passing yds/g; 158.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Houston has been led by QB Clayton Tune who has completed 60.6% of his passes for 1,562 yards, 11 TD, & 6 INT. Tune is also the 2nd leading rusher for the Cougars as he has 233 yards & 4 TD’s on 52 carries. The top receiving threats for the Cougars have been Keith Corbin (24 rec, 333 yards, TD), Marquez Stevenson (16 rec, 278 yards, 3 TD), and Nathaniel Dell (17 rec, 252 yards, 2 TD). Leading the way for the Cougars backfield has been Kyle Porter who has 324 rushing yards & 4 TD’s on 81 carries.

Defensively, Houston is allowing their opponents to average 33.0 ppg on 435.2 total yards per game (244.3 passing yds/g; 190.8 rushing yds/g).

The Golden Hurricane are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 conference games. The Cougars are 2-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record and just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win.

Tulsa is a great defensive football team, however, Houston is a team that certainly can put up points and I am not sure I like backing a Golden Hurricane offense without Zane Smith behind center. As good as the Golden Hurricane defense is, this is still the same team that struggled slowing East Carolina a few weeks ago and as I think Houston offense has finally found its rhythm, I think the play here is to take Houston to cover this small home spread. Good Luck!