Tulsa +14 vs Virginia Tech (61.5)
SOS: VT 36 and Tulsa 87
Coaching Changes: Last game for Beamer, No changes at Tulsa
Injuries: none significant
Motivation: Hokies will be plenty motivated but you have to think Tulsa will be ready to go as well against a P5 opponent
Past Bowl Performances: Beamer is 10-12 in bowl games; Tulsa has won 4 of past 5 bowl games but this is Montgomery's first
Matchups: Vastly different SOS here which is an advantage to VT. Tulsa is first in pace of play while VT is 54th. VT runs 56% of the time while Tulsa runs 54%. Tulsa averages 1.1 more ypp on offense and gives up 1.0 more ypp on defense but again that is against a far weaker schedule. VT is 82nd against the rush while Tulsa is 109 so both teams have hope to move it on the ground. VT is 37 against the pass while Tulsa is 108. Brewer is set to go for VT which is big for them as they really don't have anything else at QB. VT has only covered 14 three times this year...easily against Purdue, by 1 point against NCSU and by 2 points against BC. Tulsa failed to cover 14 points against Navy and Memphis and they pushed this number against Oklahoma and Houston...you could argue all four of those teams are better than the Hokies. Regarding the total, VT went over the number 4 times this year but 3 of those times were in September and one was against an AAC member in ECU. Tulsa has gone over this number fairly easily in their past 6 games. Team totals are VT 37.5 and Tulsa 24. The Hokies only hit 38 or more against Duke and Purdue while Tulsa allowed 6/12 opponents to go over the number. VT gave up more than 24 points 5 times this year and had the number pushed once. Teams they held under this number were UVA, GT, BC, NCSU and Pitt...not exactly offensive juggernauts though NCSU and Pitt did have some decent games. Navy and ECU were the only teams to hold Tulsa to under 24 points.
Leans: weather looks like rain and storms so will wait to lock anything in but leans are Tulsa +14.5 (if I can find it) and Tulsa TT O24
Plays: none yet