Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane Miami Bowl Pick - Odds - ATS Prediction

Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane Miami Bowl Pick - Odds - ATS Prediction

David Schwab
Date: December 19, 2:30 pm
Location: Marlins Park
TV: ESPN

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Tulsa Golden Hurricane -11.5
Total: OFF

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The MAC’s Central Michigan Chippewas and the AAC’s Tulsa Golden Hurricane will square off against one another in this year’s Miami Beach Bowl on Monday, Dec. 19 at Marlins Park. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
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Central Michigan vs. Tulsa Game Overview<br />
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Central Michigan stumbles into this bowl game with just one victory in its last five games both straight-up and against the spread. It went an even 6-6 SU with a 5-7 record ATS and the total stayed UNDER or ended as a PUSH in six of its last eight games. The Chippewas were 2-3 ATS this season in five games closing as underdogs.
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Senior quarterback Cooper Rush led a Central Michigan offense that ended the season ranked 26th in the nation in passing. He threw for 3,299 yards and 23 touchdowns against 13 interceptions with a 61.1 completion percentage on 416 passing attempts. His top target was Corey Willis with 68 receptions for 1,024 yards and nine scores. The main reason for the late season collapse was a defense that gave up an average of 30.3 points in those final four defeats.
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Tulsa finished second behind Navy in the AAC’s West Division with a SU 6-2 record in conference play as part of an overall record of 9-3. Its three losses on the year were on the road against Ohio State, Houston and Navy so this team has been battled tested against some quality competition. The Golden Hurricane went 7-4-1 ATS overall with a 4-3 record ATS as favorites. The total went OVER in eight of their 12 games.
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This was another team that had a quarterback that could move the ball down the field through the air with Dane Evans throwing for 3,044 yards and 27 scores. Tulsa’s biggest strength was a run game that was ranked eighth in the nation with an average of 260.9 yards a game. James Flanders led the way with 1,529 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 241 carries. He ended the regular season with 197 yards and two scores in a thrilling overtime win against Cincinnati. Tulsa was a different story on defense with a points-allowed average of 31.5 points.
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Central Michigan vs. Tulsa Game Betting Trends<br />
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The Chippewas have covered ATS in eight of their last 10 nonconference games, but they are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games against a team with a SU winning record. The total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five December games.
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The Golden Hurricane are 5-1 ATS in their last six bowl games and they have gone 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight games outside their conference. The total has stayed UNDER in six of their last eight games in a postseason bowl.
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These two last met all the way back in the late 1980’s with the home team winning each of the two meetings both SU and ATS.
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Central Michigan vs. Tulsa Game Prediction

These two teams matchup pretty well with each having an offense that knows how to put points on the board complementing a defense that has had its trouble keeping opposing teams from doing the same. While I would be tempted to go with the OVER in this game depending on the opening line, my “best bet” pick is the Golden Hurricane covering the current 11.5-point spread.

Tulsa has just too much firepower on offense for the Chippewas to keep things closer than a couple of scores over the course of all four quarters.

Free Pick: Take the Central Michigan Chippewas +11.5
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