2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Odds

Written by Jack Jones

The BYU Cougars take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the 2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, December 30th. This is a battle between the stingy defense of BYU up against the high-powered offense of Tulsa. The Cougars only allow 20.3 points per game this season, while the Golden Hurricane put up 34.1 per game offensively. This is sure to be one of the more entertaining “under the radar” games of the bowl season.

Oddsmakers in Las Vegas have installed a line of BYU -2.5 over Tulsa and a total set of 55.5 points.

BYU

The Cougars were one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch. BYU (9-3) lost two of their first three before reeling off eight wins over their final nine games. Their lone loss came against TCU by a final of 38-28. Each of their last four wins came by 21 points or more as they outscored their opposition 181-37 in the process. It was a very successful season in BYU’s first year as an Independent.

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall owns a 75-24 record in his seven seasons with the program. The Cougars are just 11-17-1 all-time in bowl games, though Mendenhall is 4-2 in his six chances. He has taken the Broncos to a bowl game in each of his first six seasons, with the first five coming in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Cougars stepped away from Sin City last season and topped UTEP 52-24 in the New Mexico Bowl.

BYU ranks 39th in the country in total offense (410.8 yards/game) and 17th in total defense (316.9 yards/game). This has been a completely different team ever since Riley Nelson took over for Jake Heaps at quarterback in a 27-24 victory over Utah State. Nelson is completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 1,467 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 376 yards and a score. Cody Hoffman is his go-to receiver with 53 receptions for 821 yards and seven touchdowns. Ross Apo has turned his 34 receptions into nine touchdowns.

Tulsa

The Golden Hurricane have been dealt a daunting schedule this season. Tulsa (8-4) won every game that wasn’t against a Top 10 opponent. They lost all four games against teams ranked inside the Top 10 at the time they played them, falling to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Boise State and Houston. Head coach Bill Blankenship did an excellent job with this team in his first year on the job after taking over for the departed Todd Graham, who left for Pittsburgh.

This team finished second in C-USA’s West division with their lone loss in the conference coming against Houston, which cost them a shot at a title. Tulsa is 8-9 all-time in bowl games. After missing out on the postseason in 2009, the Golden Hurricane came back last season to beat Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl by a final of 62-35. It was one of the most lopsided victories of the bowl season last year, and their third straight bowl win.

Tulsa ranks 22nd in the FBS in total offense (454.4 yards/game) and 87th in total defense (420.6 yards/game). Quarterback G.J. Kinne is one of the best playmakers in the country. He is completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,876 yards with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while also rushing for 405 yards and three scores. Je’Terian Douglas (884 yards, 8.2/carry, four TD) and Trey Watts (843 yards, 5.7/carry, three TD) form a solid 1-2 punch at running back. Willie Carter leads all receivers with 61 catches for 868 yards and seven scores.

Betting Trends

Tulsa is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall, and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games.

BYU is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall, and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.

Projected Score: BYU 29 – Tulsa 26

Comments

Got something to say?