Preview written by: Michael Dunn Twitter: @Mikespicks05
If Houston wants a chance to win the American Athletic Conference it will need some help. This is a must win game for both programs. Who had the edge? Tulane is coming off a win, while the visiting team the Cougars are coming off a seven point loss to a top 25 team in Washington St.
Houston Cougars vs Tulane Green Wave
Date/Time: Thursday, September 19, 8:00p.m. ET
College Football betting odds from 5Dimes
Favorite: Tulane -4
Total: 55.5
The Green Wave host the Cougars in a big game for the American Athletic Conference. Tulane plays with fast offense and likes to run the ball efficiently. Houston ranks 97th giving up on average 201.5 rushing yards per game.
Houston Cougars- This will be the second year in a row that the Cougars and the Wave will meet under these circumstances on a Thursday night game. It will be the first conference game for both of these teams. Houston had one of the best passing attack in the conference in 2018 with an average of 295.4 yards per game. This year in just a short sample size they are averaging 144.6 yards passing per game. They have the potential to have a lethal offense so Tulane better make sure their secondary is on their “A” game. Cougars are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record as well as 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games on field-turf. Their averaging 31min of field possession per game and averaging 42% on third down. This could be key in this vital matchup between the two. Look for first year head coach Dana Holgorsen to have the Cougars ready for this game and to try and put up points early. The opposing side will have the same mentality and Tulane should be able to keep up.
Tulane Green Wave- I really like this matchup. You have to lean towards Tulane in this matchup and the line movement agrees the same. This game opened as Tulane -1 and is currently up to -4. The Green Wave come into this game off a big win against Missouri State 58-6. They had a total of fourteen players who had rushes in that game. That is highly unheard of. Tulane will keep their backs fresh and will look to break down that Cougars defense who allows over 200 yards per contest. Tulane believes they
have what it takes to win the conference this season. If their going to do so they will need to get the win in this game. Green Wave are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games. Green Wave are also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game. Willie Fritz has improved his win total in the last three years, and this game is very important for the head coach with this being the first conference game of the year.
Free Pick: Tulane -4
Kyle Hunter went 6-1 last Saturday in college football including a TOP Total of the Week winner. All of his guaranteed packages are here.