Just one bowl game on the schedule this coming Monday and it’s the Miami Beach Bowl between Mid-American Conference school Central Michigan and high-scoring American Athletic Conference team Tulsa. Not sure why this is called the Miami Beach Bowl because it’s in a baseball stadium and not near the beach, but let’s not nitpick. Tulsa is a solid NCAA football betting favorite.
When: Monday, Dec. 19, 2:30 PM ET
Where: Marlins Park, Miami
TV: ESPN
Opening NCAA Football Lines: Tulsa -11 (68.5)
CMU quarterback Cooper Rush led two fourth-quarter scoring drives as the Chippewas rallied from a 20-7 deficit to seize a 21-20 lead. Rush completed 21 of 35 passes for 256 yards. He’ll be drafted by an NFL team next spring. Rush has completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 3,299 yards and 23 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He averages 274.3 yards per game passing, which ranks second in the MAC. Rush ranks second in CMU history in touchdown passes, yards passing, total offense, passes completed and passes attempts.
CMU made national news on Sept. 10 with a 30-27 victory against No. 22-ranked Oklahoma State that ended with a memorable, no-time- on-the- clock, hook-and- ladder touchdown. The Chippewas also beat Northern Illinois in triple overtime in October and stopped final drives with end-zone interceptions to preserve victories over both Ball State and Ohio.
The Miami Beach Bowl will be CMU’s eighth bowl appearance in the last 11 seasons. Last year, the Chippewas reached the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit, where they lost to Minnesota, 21-14.
Tulsa closed the regular season with a 40-37 win over Cincinnati. James Flanders’ 4-yard touchdown run in overtime capped a 17-point come-from behind victory. Flanders’ winning score was the first lead of the game for the Hurricane. Tulsa fell behind early in the first quarter 14-0, trailed in the second quarter 24-7 and with just under six minutes remaining in the contest had a 10-point deficit at 34-24. The Hurricane scored 10 points in the final 3:12 of regulation to send the game to the extra session, and after holding Cincinnati to a field goal, Flanders touchdown sealed Tulsa’s undefeated season at home.
The come-from- behind victory was the third such win of the season, as the first two – Fresno State and SMU – also went into overtime. In running for 197 yards, Flanders became the school’s single-season rushing leader with 1,529 yards, surpassing Tarrion Adams (2008) by six yards. Dane Evans’ 305 yards passing put the senior over 3,000 single-season passing yards for the third straight year.
Tulsa went over 600 total yards for the third time this season. Tulsa rushed for over 300 yards for the eighth time this year, extending the school record. Tulsa now has 3,141 rushing yards this season, which is the 10th time Tulsa has rushed for 3,000+ yards in a season and 9th best rushing season overall. Tulsa now has 497 points this season, which is seventh most in school history.
The Hurricane rank sixth nationally in total offense with an average of 522.8 yards per game, eighth in rushing offense (261.8 ypg), 11th in scoring (41.4 ppg) and 40th in passing offense (260.8 ypg). The bowl appearance for Tulsa is the 21st in school history and the 10th time in the last 14 years.
Tulsa will win a high-scoring game but take the points in NCAA Football betting.
Central Michigan vs Tulsa Miami Beach Bowl Odds, Pick & TV Info
When: Monday, Dec. 19, 2:30 PM ET
Where: Marlins Park, Miami
TV: ESPN
Opening NCAA Football Lines: Tulsa -11 (68.5)
Why Bet on Central Michigan?
The Chippewas (6-6) lost their regular-season finale 26-21 to Eastern Michigan on a 24-yard EMU TD pass with 21 seconds left. Devon Spalding ran for a career-high three touchdowns to lead the Chippewas, who seized a 21-20 lead — their first of the game — on Spalding’s 41-yard TD run with 2:34 to play. Spalding finished with 85 yards rushing on 11 carries. He also caught four passes for 31 yards.CMU quarterback Cooper Rush led two fourth-quarter scoring drives as the Chippewas rallied from a 20-7 deficit to seize a 21-20 lead. Rush completed 21 of 35 passes for 256 yards. He’ll be drafted by an NFL team next spring. Rush has completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 3,299 yards and 23 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He averages 274.3 yards per game passing, which ranks second in the MAC. Rush ranks second in CMU history in touchdown passes, yards passing, total offense, passes completed and passes attempts.
CMU made national news on Sept. 10 with a 30-27 victory against No. 22-ranked Oklahoma State that ended with a memorable, no-time- on-the- clock, hook-and- ladder touchdown. The Chippewas also beat Northern Illinois in triple overtime in October and stopped final drives with end-zone interceptions to preserve victories over both Ball State and Ohio.
The Miami Beach Bowl will be CMU’s eighth bowl appearance in the last 11 seasons. Last year, the Chippewas reached the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit, where they lost to Minnesota, 21-14.
Why Bet on Tulsa?
The Golden Hurricane enter bowl season with a 9-3 record and finished second in the American Athletic Conference West at 6-2. Tulsa scored 40 or more points in nine games this season, and its losses came to Ohio State, Memphis and Navy, all teams headed to bowl games.Tulsa closed the regular season with a 40-37 win over Cincinnati. James Flanders’ 4-yard touchdown run in overtime capped a 17-point come-from behind victory. Flanders’ winning score was the first lead of the game for the Hurricane. Tulsa fell behind early in the first quarter 14-0, trailed in the second quarter 24-7 and with just under six minutes remaining in the contest had a 10-point deficit at 34-24. The Hurricane scored 10 points in the final 3:12 of regulation to send the game to the extra session, and after holding Cincinnati to a field goal, Flanders touchdown sealed Tulsa’s undefeated season at home.
The come-from- behind victory was the third such win of the season, as the first two – Fresno State and SMU – also went into overtime. In running for 197 yards, Flanders became the school’s single-season rushing leader with 1,529 yards, surpassing Tarrion Adams (2008) by six yards. Dane Evans’ 305 yards passing put the senior over 3,000 single-season passing yards for the third straight year.
Tulsa went over 600 total yards for the third time this season. Tulsa rushed for over 300 yards for the eighth time this year, extending the school record. Tulsa now has 3,141 rushing yards this season, which is the 10th time Tulsa has rushed for 3,000+ yards in a season and 9th best rushing season overall. Tulsa now has 497 points this season, which is seventh most in school history.
The Hurricane rank sixth nationally in total offense with an average of 522.8 yards per game, eighth in rushing offense (261.8 ypg), 11th in scoring (41.4 ppg) and 40th in passing offense (260.8 ypg). The bowl appearance for Tulsa is the 21st in school history and the 10th time in the last 14 years.
Central Michigan vs Tulsa Miami Beach Bowl Pick: Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Chippewas are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games. Over is 6-1 in Golden Hurricane's last 7 games following a straight up win.Tulsa will win a high-scoring game but take the points in NCAA Football betting.
