In a battle featuring two schools that prefer running the football, Cougars of Houston (-11) are gearing up to host the Tulane Green Wave at TDECU Stadium. Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN and this pivotal conference matchup kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Tulane Green Wave vs. Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Green Wave approach this Thursday AAC matchup as a big dog here and are currently getting 11 points. The Green Wave are also receiving +315 moneyline odds while the Cougars are -425. Should one side can find paydirt in the early stages it’ll result in a worthy live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 67.5 points.
The opening line was -11 while the O/U has yet to change since it was set initially at 67.5.
The Green Wave are 5-5 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.5 units so far in 2018. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 2-8. The Cougars are down 4.9 units this season. The team is 5-5 ATS and the over has hit in seven of its games.
The Green Wave have gone 5-5 straight up (SU), including 4-2 SU against conference opponents. The Cougars are 7-3 SU overall and are also 4-2 SU in conference play.
These two squads faced off last year with the final outcome being a 20-17 win for Tulane.
Tulane enters this contest on a zero-game losing streak while Houston has won zero in a row. The Green Wave look to keep it going after a 24-18 win over East Carolina last week where their secondary allowed the Pirates to air it out for 360 yards and two touchdowns. Trevon Brown was unmatched for the Pirates in that one with 161 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches. On the offense, Justin McMillan completed only 12 passes on 28 attempts for 372 yards and three touchdowns. Darius Bradwell (77 yards on 19 rush attempts) and Corey Dauphine (47 yards on 17 carries) led the running attack while Darnell Mooney (six receptions, 217 yards, two TDs) and Jabril Clewis (two catches, 46 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Houston just lost a 59-49 game to Temple. The team’s defense allowed the Owls to kill the clock by rushing for 312 yards on 58 attempts, including eight rush TDs. Ryquell Armstead was outstandingfor the Owls, recording 210 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 30 attempts. For Houston, D’Eriq King completed 28-of-46 passes for 322 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. King (125 rushing yards on 19 attempts, one TD) and Patrick Carr (44 yards on 15 carries, one TD) handled the running game while Bryson Smith (seven receptions, 117 yards, three TDs) and Marquez Stevenson (seven catches, 31 yards) led the Houston pass-catchers in the loss.
Tulane’s run the ball on 66.8 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 68.8 percent across possessions in conference play. Houston has a rush percentage of 52.4 percent, and has run the ball 55.1 percent of the time when facing AAC opponents. The Green Wave have produced 216 rush yards per game (including 243 per game versus American Athletic Conference opponents) and have 22 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cougars are putting up 230 rush yards per game (214 in conference) and have 25 total rushing TDs.
If 2018 numbers can translate to this game, then the Cougars may have the more disruptive lines up front, as their offensive line has allowed just 12 sacks while their D-line has registered 20 sacks. The Green Wave O-line has allowed 31 sacks and their defense has recorded only 30 sacks.
The Green Wave offense has tallied 180 yards/game in the air overall (165 per game versus conference opposition) and has 11 passing TDs so far. The Cougars have produced 317 pass yards per contest (290.5 in the AAC) and have 38 total pass scores.
Tulane seems to have an edge in both areas of the defense. The team’s let opponents rush for an average of 142 yards and pass for 279 yards per game. The Houston D has given up 314.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 175.2 yards per game to opposing runners. The Green Wave are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.15 to opposing QBs, while the Cougars have allowed a 6.87 ANY/A.
Offensively, McMillan is up to 660 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 36-of-76 attempts with six scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. McMillan’s got an 8.94 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 11.43 over the last two outings.
D’Eriq King has managed to complete 197-of-308 passes for 2,725 yards, 33 TDs and six INTs for Houston. His ANY/A sits at 9.71 for the year and 7.27 over his past two outings.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Tulane Green Wave vs. Houston Cougars
SU Winner – Houston, ATS Winner – Houston, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
Houston has lost eight fumbles this season while Tulane has lost 10.
The Tulane defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 30 times this season. Houston has registered just 20 sacks.
As a team, Tulane has rushed for 5.4 yards per attempt across its last three games and 5.2 over its last two.
Houston has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.3 over its past two.
In its last three matches, Houston is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Tulane’s last game was 53.5. The under cashed in the team’s 24-18 win over East Carolina.
In its last three contests, Tulane is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Houston’s previous matchup going into it was 68.5. The over cashed in the 59-49 loss to Temple.
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