By Greg Dempson
Pinnacle Odds: San Jose State Spartans +5 vs Tulsa Golden Hurricanes -5 Total 69.5
The biggest loss for the Spartans was in their backfield as star running back Tyler Ervin is gone, (it’s hard to replace 2,637 yards.) The often injured Washington Huskies transfer, Deontae Cooper, who averaged 5.4 yards per rush with the Huskies, takes Cooper’s place.
Overall San Jose State returns 15 starts vs. 14 for Tulsa. The defense of the Spartans has taken a step backwards this season and yes, Tulsa’s defense was horrific last season as they were ranked at #126, but they have made improvements in that area this off season.
The Golden Hurricane are indeed golden on offense as they averaged 37.2 PPG under the leadership of quarterback Dane Evans who threw for 4,332 yards averaging 333 per game. Evans will be able to toss to wide receivers Josh Atkinson and Keevan Lucas as they return for 2016. Tulsa runs a frantic up-tempo offense as head coach Philip Montgomery was taught by one of the best, Art Briles.
Tulsa made it to a bowl game last season and lost by 3 to Virginia Tech, (55–52.) I expect a more balanced attack with a good dose of running back D’Angelo Brewer, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry last year, while ending the season by rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the bowl game vs. Virginia Tech.
Tulsa played a much tougher schedule last season, vs. top 20 ranked Bowl bound teams the likes of Houston, Memphis and Navy as well as Virginia Tech.
Last season in Review
· It will be a challenge to duplicate my College record from last season as I finished at 11–03 in the NCAA and 12–08–01 in the NFL, 23–11–01 and 67.6% ATS when combining the two sports. (I’m off to a good start in the NFL at Every Edge, at 3–0 ATS in the preseason.)
Angles Plus a Super System
· San Jose State is 0–7 ATS as a road dog of +3.5 to +10 as well as 02–11 ATS as an underdog the past three seasons as well as 1 – 9 ATS as an away dog the past two seasons.
· The Spartans are 01–11 ATS when they allow 28 or more PPG losing by an average score of 39.1 vs. 19.6 PPG
· In the first two weeks of the season, play on home teams who averaged 450 or more total yards per game, with an experienced quarterback returning as their starter. This system is 77–36 = 68% ATS the past 10 seasons as well as 52–25 = 67.5% ATS the past five seasons.
San Jose State vs Tulsa Pick
My first Every Edge College football selection is on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at –5 points at –109.