[2:32 PM] Central Michigan v. Tulsa

What will be the GAME RESULT?

Central Michigan: Wins or Single Digit Loss

Tulsa: Wins By Double Digits

• The line for this game is Tulsa by 13.5 points.

• Central Michigan, which counted a very controversial 30-27 non-conference victory at Oklahoma State among its six wins to become bowl eligible, will face another team from the Sooner state – high-scoring Tulsa – in the Miami Beach Bowl on Dec. 19 at Marlins Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins. The Chippewas made national news with their memorable no-time-on-the-clock, hook-and-ladder Hail Mary touchdown to upset Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., on Sept. 10. After the game, it was determined the MAC officiating crew – which later was suspended – had made a mistake by giving Central Michigan an extra untimed down with no time remaining after Oklahoma State was called for intentional grounding on fourth down.

• That improbable win over the Cowboys came in very handy for Central Michigan, which lost four of its final five games – including a 26-21 heartbreaker to Eastern Michigan in its regular-season finale on a long touchdown pass with 21 seconds left. Without the Oklahoma State victory in its hip pocket, Central Michigan would be spending mid-December in chilly Mount Pleasant, Mich. instead of sunny Miami, where coach John Bonamego was special teams coordinator for the Dolphins from 2008-10.

• Tulsa finished second to Navy in the American Athletic Conference West Division. The Golden Hurricane’s three losses came against the Midshipmen (42-40), Houston (38-31) and Ohio State (48-3). Coached by former Houston and Baylor offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery, Tulsa ranks sixth nationally in total offense (522.8 yards), eighth in rushing offense (261.8) and 11th in scoring (41.4 points), and will be going up against a Central Michigan defense that ranked 43rd in total defense (376.2).

• The Chippewas are led by senior quarterback Cooper Rush, who has completed 254-of-416 passes for 3,299 yards and 23 touchdowns. Wideout Corey Willis is his favorite target with 1,028 yards receiving and nine touchdowns while Devon Spalding is the team’s top rusher with 737 yards and six scores on 131 carries despite missing two games. Cornerback Amari Coleman, who led the MAC in passes defended (19) and tied for first in the conference with four interceptions, and inside linebacker Malik Fountain (84 tackles, 10 tackles for loss) both were First Team All-MAC selections.

• The Golden Hurricane feature two 1,000-yard rushers in senior James Flanders (1,529) and D’Angelo Brewer (1,330), who finished 1-2 in the AAC, a 3,000-yard passer in senior Dane Evans (3,044) and a 1,000-yard receiver in senior Keevan Lucas (1,108). If senior wide receiver Josh Atkinson (927) reaches the 1,000-yard mark in the bowl game, Tulsa would become the first team in FBS history with a 3,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard rushers and two 1,000-yard receivers. Senior linebacker Trent Martin leads the defense in tackles (94) and interceptions (two) while defensive lineman Jesse Brubaker tops the team in tackles for loss with 12.5 – including 4.5 sacks – to go along with 54 tackles.

StreakSmarts Pick: Tula: Wins By Double Digits

Confidence: 5/10