Two of the country’s top scoring defenses are set to meet at Benson Field at Yulman Stadium on Saturday, as the No. 22 University of Central Florida Knights (7-2, 4-1 AAC) head to take on the No. 16 Tulane University Green Wave (8-1, 5-0 AAC). The Green Wave are 1.5-point favorites, and the total is 54.5.
UCF is coming off a 35-28 win over Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium last Saturday. Mikey Keene was 22 of 28 for 219 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. RJ Harvey ran 17 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. Kobe Hudson caught six passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
Tulane won for the fifth straight game last Saturday, beating Tulsa 27-13 at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Michael Pratt threw for 125 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Tyjae Spears carried 14 times for 157 yards and a touchdown. Duece Watts caught two receptions for 42 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Knights won the only game between the teams last season, a 14-10 victory in November, their third straight win against Tulane. Mikey Keene threw two touchdowns for UCF.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Knights are averaging 35.7 points per game for the season, 26th in FBS, and they are facing a Green Wave defense that has surrendered 16.9 PPG (11th). Meanwhile, Tulane has scored 32.9 points a game this season, 38th in the nation, and UCF is allowing 18.8 PPG (16th). The Knights rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (239.9, 8th), while they are 43rd in passing yards (261.1).
The Green Wave are 19th in passing yards allowed per game (180.3) and 38th against the run (127.0).Tulane is 65th in the country in passing yards per game (238.4) and 47th in rushing (180.2), while the Knights are allowing 241.0 passing yards (89th) and 121.1 rushing yards per game (30th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through eight games, John Rhys Plumlee has thrown for 11 touchdowns (6 INT) and 235.4 yards per game to lead UCF in passing. In two away games this season, he has one TD (4 INT) and an average of 317.5 yards passing. RJ Harvey leads the team in rushing with an average of 76.0 yards a game over seven games. He has four touchdowns on the ground.
Ryan O’Keefe is the Knights’ leading receiver with 59.6 yards a game and four TDs. Michael Pratt has 14 passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 230.4 yards per game through eight games to lead Tulane. In five home games this season, he has thrown for nine TDs (1 INT) and an average of 242.6 yards.
Tyjae Spears has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 82.8 yards a game through nine games. He has 11 total touchdowns, 10 rushing and one receiving. Shae Wyatt has been a key target in the Green Wave’s passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 42.6 yard per game average through nine appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UCF (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
