Arkansas State (1-0) vs Tulsa (1-0)
Game Info: Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Centennial Bank Stadium)
The Line: Betting Odds: Arkansas State -7.5 / Tulsa +7.5 — Over/Under: 60.5
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Arkansas State Red Wolves meet Saturday in week 2 college football action at Centennial Bank Stadium. Here’s a Tulsa vs Arkansas State Prediction. This article will include a Tulsa vs Arkansas State Pick.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Betting Preview
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane beat Northwestern State opening week and gets Oklahoma State and Louisiana Tech next. Tulsa hasn’t started 2-0 since the 2015 season. Kirk Francis is completing 76.7 percent of his passes for 299 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Zion Steptoe and Kamdyn Benjamin have combined for 153 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Braylin Presley has 5 receptions. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane ground game is averaging 323 yards per contest, and Lloyd Avant leads the way with 64 yards on 11 carries. Defensively, Tulsa is allowing 28 points and 226 yards per game. Gavin Potter leads the Tulsa Golden Hurricane with 5 tackles, Justin Lohrenz has 1 sack and Keuan Parker has 1 pass deflection.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Betting Preview
The Arkansas State Red Wolves beat Central Arkansas last week and plays Michigan and Iowa State next. Arkansas State hasn’t started 2-0 since the 2008 season. Jaylen Raynor is completing 51.1 percent of his passes for 317 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Corey Rucker and Courtney Jackson have combined for 248 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Ja’Quez Cross has 3 receptions. The Arkansas State Red Wolves ground game is averaging 140 yards per contest, and Cross leads the way with 50 yards on 13 carries. Defensively, Arkansas State is allowing 31 points and 432 yards per game. Dontay Joyner leads the Arkansas State Red Wolves with 8 tackles, Jayden Jones has 1 sack and James Reed III has 1 pass deflection.
Why the Arkansas State Red Wolves will win
- Arkansas State has won each of its last seven September games as a home favorite.
- Tulsa has lost each of its last seven road openers as an underdog.
- Arkansas State has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 games in September.
- Tulsa has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight games.
Total Points Facts
- Five of Tulsa’s last six September games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Three of Arkansas State’s last four games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Arkansas State rank T1st among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Arkansas State rank T1st among FBS teams for Q1 win percentage this season (1.000).
- Tulsa rank T1st among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage this season (1.000).
- Tulsa rank T1st among FBS teams for Q3 win percentage this season (1.000).
Tulsa vs Arkansas State Prediction
The Arkansas State Red Wolves are the better team on paper and should win, but we’re also not going to overlook the fact they had a scare last week against Central Arkansas. I just don’t see this much of a gap between Tulsa and Arkansas State to lay a touchdown and a hook. Yes, Arkansas State is probably a tier above Tulsa, but that’s about it. Tulsa has an above average running game with one of the top running backs in the AAC in Anthony Watkins, and that should allow the Golden Hurricane to hang around. Tulsa is 11-2-1 ATS in its last 14 games when an underdog of 7 or more points. Three of those covers were outright wins. Give me Tulsa, and the free points.