Hawaii Tulsa Betting – Warriors Come Out On Top In Shootout With Tulsa
Online betting players should be in for an exciting game when the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl kicks off on Christmas Eve, as Hawaii and Tulsa have two of the most powerful offenses in the college game, so there will be points aplenty. However, Hawaii’s edge on defense (and a distinct home-field advantage) will allow them to pull away for the victory.
- What: NFL betting
- When: Friday, December 24th, 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI
- Pick: Hawaii -11.5
What’s On The Line
The No.24 Warriors (10-3, 7-1) came in third in the WAC, while the Golden Hurricane (9-3, 6-2) just missed out on a chance to play for the Conference-USA title, pitting two of the most explosive offenses in the country together. The Warriors are making their sixth appearance in what is a home game for them, looking to end a two-game skid in the bowls, while Tulsa is coming off a pair of GMAC Bowl blowout wins.
Offensive Matchups: Hawaii Tulsa Betting
Hawaii’s No.8-ranked offense is powered by the top aerial attack in the nation, and it doesn’t seem to matter who the players are, the Warriors are always going to keep throwing it. Bryant Moniz is 10th nationally in passer rating, and he leads the country in yards by almost 400 yards. There are three receivers with at least 772 yards, and even though Hawaii is ranked 106th in rushing, but Alex Green ran for almost 1,200 yards. If there is a negative about the Hawaii offense, it’s that they sometimes allow more sacks than they should.
Tulsa is more balanced, coming in 15th in rushing and 16th in passing yards in more of a spread-option offense, powered by G.J. Kinne. The junior pivot threw for over 3,300 yards, completing over 60% of his passes, and he also led the Golden Hurricane in rushing, although Tulsa had four guys run for at least 330 yards. However, the key to the offense may be Damaris Johnson, who is listed as a receiver and led Tulsa in receiving yards, but he was also second in rushing and he’s one of the more dynamic return men in the country.
Betting Edge: Draw
Defensive Matchups: Hawaii Tulsa Betting
Hawaii’s defense isn’t half bad, coming in 39th in the country, and even though they’re only 53rd against the pass, the Warriors have 23 picks, which is the best in the country and helps them come in second in turnover margin. Hawaii doesn’t get that many sacks, but they have a secondary that gambles, and they’ve been coming up big this year, except when they were decimated at Boise State. Linebacker Corey Paredes always seems to be around the ball, and he’ll be key to stopping the Tulsa ground game.
The Golden Hurricane are just awful defensively, ranking 107th in total defense and 119th in passing defense. Tulsa is 40th against the run, but that is partly because no one bothers to run on them when they can just pass. But, like the Warriors, they’re opportunistic with 19 picks, and that keeps them in the game. Defensive back Marco Nelson is tied for the team lead with six picks, but he’s still a freshman.
Betting Edge: Hawaii
Notable Injuries: Hawaii Tulsa Betting
Currently, neither team has any injury worries coming into this game, meaning both will be at full strength for a shootout.
Betting Edge: Draw
Outlook and Pick: Hawaii Tulsa Betting
NCAA football betting odds have the Warriors as an 11.5-point favorite as they’re essentially playing a home game, and they haven’t lost at Aloha Stadium since the first week of the year when they were beaten 49-36 by USC. These two actually have a history as they played each other every year from 1999 to 2004, with Hawaii going 4-2 SU and 3-3 ATS, winning two of the three in Hawaii. We’re going to put our money on Hawaii again this year because their defense is just so much better than Tulsa. The Boise State Broncos showed that the Warriors still have a way to go defensively, but we have more faith in them to get a stop when they have to. Tulsa’s pass defense is so terrible that we can see Moniz having the game of his career on Christmas Eve. Also, the posted total of 72.5 is in major danger of getting broken as both are in the top 10 in terms of scoring offense. We’re taking the over and the Warriors for a sports betting win in the Hawaii Bowl.
Stan’s Pick: Hawaii
