Two schools that like to run the football, Coach Philip Montgomery and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (+6) are ready to pay a visit to the Arkansas Razorbacks (-6) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. SEC Network has the TV rights and the game’s scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa is a live dog in this Saturday matchup and is currently getting 6 points. The Golden Hurricane are also receiving +190 moneyline odds while the Razorbacks are -240. This tilt should provide several decent live betting scenarios, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 55 points.
Sharp bettors have been siding with the Razorbacks, as the opening line was -4. The game’s over/under has yet to change after being set initially at 55.
The Golden Hurricane are 3-3 against the spread (ATS) and are down 3.2 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U mark of 0-5.
The Razorbacks have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 11.6 units. They’re 4-3 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-4.
The Golden Hurricane have gone 1-5 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Razorbacks are 1-6 SU.
The Golden Hurricane are looking to get back in stride after a narrow 25-24 defeat to South Florida last week. The passing game wasn’t where it needed to be as Seth Boomer completed only six-of-21 passes for 79 yards and one touchdown. Shamari Brooks (100 yards on 28 rush attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Boomer (46 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack. Jarion Anderson (three receptions, 34 yards, one TD) and Javon Thomas (one catch, five yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Arkansas most-recently fell 37-33 to Ole Miss. As a group, the team collectively completed 15-of-22 passes for 177 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Ty Storey went 12-for-16 for 122 yards and one touchdown while Cole Kelley was two-of-five for 60 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Devwah Whaley (67 rushing yards on 12 attempts) and Chase Hayden (30 yards on 12 carries) spearheaded the running game while La’Michael Pettway (three receptions, 77 yards, one TD) and Cheyenne O’Grady (three catches, 41 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the loss.
Tulsa has run the ball on 64.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Arkansas has an overall rush percentage of 55.0 percent. The Golden Hurricane have rushed for 209.0 yards per game and have 11 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Razorbacks are logging 168.6 rushing yards per game and have eight total rush TDs.
It appears that the Razorbacks may own the advantage in all aspects of the ground game, as their running backs has logged 4.5 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.9 to opponents. The Golden Hurricane have registered 4.0 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 5.1 to opponents.
The Golden Hurricane offensive scheme has averaged 172.2 yards in the air overall and has six passing TDs so far. The Razorbacks have recorded 206.4 pass yards per outing and have 12 total pass scores.
Defensively, Tulsa should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has let opponents run for an average of 214.5 yards and pass for 184.0 yards per game. The Arkansas defense has allowed 287.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 142.7 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Hurricane are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.23 to opposing QBs, while the Razorbacks have given up a 7.94 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Boomer is up to 79 yards on the year. The signal-caller has completed 29 percent of his 21 attempts with one passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. Boomer has a 3.71 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.47 over the last two games.
In the home locker room, Ty Storey has managed to complete 56-of-103 passes for 753 yards, five TDs and four INTs. Storey’s ANY/A stands at 5.72 for the year and 6.48 over his past two games.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Pick
SU Winner: Tulsa, ATS Winner: Tulsa, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- Tulsa, as a team, has averaged 3.6 yards per rush attempt over its past three games and 4.0 over its last two.
- Arkansas has averaged 5.0 yards per carry over its last three outings and 6.0 over its past two.
- The Arkansas offense has lost three fumbles this season while Tulsa has let nine get away.
- The Golden Hurricane offense has tallied two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Razorbacks have put up five such plays.
- The Tulsa defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Arkansas has given up nine such plays.
- The Tulsa offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Arkansas has created eight such runs.
- The Golden Hurricane defense has allowed 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Razorbacks have given up seven such runs.
- The Arkansas defensive unit has notched twice the sack total of Tulsa this year (14 to seven).
