College Football Pick Tulsa at Memphis 10-2-2010

Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Memphis Tigers

October 2nd 2010 7 PM EST

Line: Tulsa -9

Overview:

This is a game that isn’t going to be interesting unless you are an alumni, you go to the school, or you bet on it. I recommend you bet on it. The Golden Hurricane (that’s right, just one hurricane) takes on the Memphis Tigers in Memphis. This isn’t the Memphis team that they had together when Deangello Williams was gashing every defense he faced. Tulsa is 2-2, Memphis is 1-3, and both teams have yet to win a game in conference. In every football game, there is a winner and a loser, even if both teams are the latter.

Keys to the Game:

• Tulsa has to continue to perform on offense. G.J. Kinne has played well, and he opens up the field for the ground game to get going. They have multiple backs that can get it done, ranking 16th in total rushing yards. Saying they rack up garbage stats in their losses isn’t necessarily true. Although they lost by a large margin against Oklahoma State, they lost by only two to East Carolina. The Tulsa offense isn’t the problem, their defense is just something to be desired.
• Gregory Ray and Jerrell Rhodes are going to trample Tulsa. Tulsa has had no answer for any team they have faced this season. Ray and Rhodes share carries, and create a great running back tandem. There is no reason to think a team who allowed 51 to East Carolina will be able to shut down the running game that continues to impress in Memphis.
• Tulsa doesn’t do well on the road. Last week’s momentum doesn’t carry over. I understand Tulsa may be the lesser of two evils here, but they are on the road. Memphis isn’t going to lay down. They want to give their student body a reason to come to the games. Tulsa has not won on the road yet. Memphis didn’t lose their only home game. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, it’s still early, but it could come into play.

Wrap Up:

The fact of the matter is both of these teams are going to show up on offense. If the over/under isn’t turned off come game day, take the over (unless it is 90+). Of all my sports picks this week, this one offers the most intangibles. I still see Memphis coming within one score at home.

Free College Football Pick: Memphis +9