The Houston Cougars (3-1, 1-0 AAC) and Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-3, 0-0) meet Friday at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Okla. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Houston vs. Tulsa odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Houston opened the season with a 38-21 loss against Texas Tech Sept. 4 in a neutral-site affair, but it has rattled off three straight wins while going 2-1 ATS. The Cougars rank fifth nationally in total yards allowed (247.5) and are third in passing yards allowed (116.0).
Tulsa finally earned its first win in four tries, topping Arkansas State 41-34 Saturday. The Golden Hurrricane have struggled defensively, coughing up 28 or more points in each of the three games vs. FBS teams, with the Over 2-0-1 going in those affairs.
Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Houston at Tulsa odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:32 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Houston +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Tulsa -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston +3.5 (-122) | Tulsa -3.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Houston at Tulsa odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 27, Tulsa 24
Money line
HOUSTON (+135) is a solid value on the road at plus money. Houston enters on a three-game win streak and will be stout enough defensively to shut down a pretty strong Tulsa side.
Remember, this is the same Tulsa team that lost to FCS UC Davis back in its opening game, and is a side with just one win in four tries. The Golden Hurricane has no business being favored over a team they have beaten just once in the last six meetings.
Against the spread
HOUSTON +3.5 (-122) is worth playing with the points if you don’t care for them straight up.
The Cougars are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 as road underdogs, and the Golden Hurricane are 3-10 ATS across their last 13 as home favorites. In addition, the road team has cashed in eight of the last nine in this series.
Over/Under
UNDER 54.5 (-112) is the lean, but go lightly in this one.
It’s all about defense for the Cougs. They’re allowing just 16.3 PPG (24th nationally), and they will be able to hold down the high-flying Golden Hurricane pass attack.
Also, the Under has cashed four of the last five times these teams have met, and four straight battles in Tulsa.
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