Saturday, under the night lights at Centennial Bank Stadium, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the Arkansas State Red Wolves meet in a Week 2 non-conference battle poised to captivate college football enthusiasts. This early-season set offers a compelling match-up between two 1-0 teams aiming to maintain their unbeaten starts. Promising a feast of football action, the game kicks off at 7:00 PM ET, broadcasted live on ESPN+. As both sides gear up to showcase their skills, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate the opportunity to make some free college football selections.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves 9/7/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 07:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Centennial Bank Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-0) vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-0)
A combination of efficient running and passing attacks has enabled Tulsa to take the 1-0 lead in the campaign. Starting with Lloyd Avant, who averaged 5.8 yards per carry in the last game, the running back offers a damaging aspect on the Arkansas State defenders. The way Avant sprints through defenders and around defenders including the tackling shoulder resonates with the approach that did Nicholls State in their game against LSU whose broad play approach left simple defenses wondering. On the other hand, wide receiver Zion Steptoe chips in with a commendable 17.6 average yards each time the ball is thrown to him thereby able to stretch the field for play actions.
Cheap Tulsa has their strategies, but in the offensive configuration of the Arkansas State have been terrific with their skill position players, nevertheless the running game needs some firepower. One player is running back Ja’Quez Cross who has yet touched the end zone this season and is still a work in progress needing enhancement of the strategies used in the game between Tennessee and NC State today, where speed on the ground controlled the pace of the game. Nevertheless, there is always Arkansas State’s Corey Rucker who poses as a deep threat receiver recording 179 passing yards which is indicative of Red wolves exploiting deep balls towards Tulsa and testing their defense.
Kirk Francis (Tulsa) QB vs. Jaylen Raynor (Arkansas State) QB
Kirk Francis, Tulsa’s star quarterback, has made a great statistical beginning as he enters the game. Francis eases into that position and records a remarkable completion of 76.7 as he passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns. In the process, he became efficient with his throws posting a 204.4 passer rating but still has more granular thinking in finding his way to attack each defense to the point of risking turnovers. For Francis, it is still a battle to keep his impeccable record of never being intercepted against the opportunistic and aggressive Arkansas State defense that lives off pressures and bases.
With Jaylen Raynor of Arkansas State, there are quite a number of restrictions, on the other hand, however, he is still very much an active head. His early statistics of 51.1% completion rate with one touchdown and one interception shows the initial struggle and might be a factor that makes Tulsa’s defense more dangerous. Nevertheless, young man Raynor’s pattern of rebounding from beaten and drawn out in pursuit of making plays on foot is a wild card that ought to be respected by any team playing against Virginia. The attention will also be on the number of excessive sacks sustained, which have contributed to the major loss of yardage for Arkansas State.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Arkansas State -8.5, Total Odds: 65.5
As per current odds, Arkansas State is favored with a -8.5 spread. Analysts note this reflects their solid home-field advantage and historical betting pattern consistency. Conversely, the sizeable point total of 65.5 reflects potential fireworks given the offensive capabilities of both teams, suggesting a high-scoring affair is anticipated. Bettors might find value in exploring Tulsa’s knack for surpassing expectations on the road against potent conference opponents.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Betting Trends
Tulsa holds a mixed record against the spread (ATS), notably 2-5 in recent outings. Yet, their stronger 5-1-1 ATS on the road suggests resilience away from home. Their track against Sun Belt teams is favorable, evidenced by their 9-2 SU record, implying they are well-prepared to confront familiar conference dynamics. Early season bets show Tulsa often performs strongly in initial matchups, as captured by their positive September game trends.
Arkansas State’s recent home dominance is underscored by an impressive 5-1 SU mark. Despite struggles against American Athletic Conference teams, their September record paints a picture of reliability with a strong 12-3-1 ATS. Their steadfast defensive showings at home could bolster chances against a formidable Tulsa offense and adhere to historical trends.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves 9/7/24 Betting Picks
After carefully analyzing both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, the Red Wolves’ slight home edge and past September success might marginally swing the pick in their favor. Nonetheless, Tulsa’s proficiency against the Sun Belt and strong road performance offer considerable counterpoints. Fans may keenly observe whether Tulsa can extend their September ATS record while Arkansas State seeks to break their current conference drought.
Choosing the better pick depends on assessing the effectiveness of Tulsa’s strategic adjustments and Arkansas State’s ability to capitalize on home-field advantage. Acknowledging prof sports analysis, an intriguing focus lies in the over/under betting potential, with bettors considering the offensive firepower at play and the defensive adjustments anticipated from both teams.