Conference USA Championship Preview

Well it’s been one hell of a season, and guess what there’s more.

CUSA Championship Game

Tulsa (9-3) vs UCF (9-3)

12:00 PM Eastern

ESPN2

In the past six years you’ve seen UCF in this game three times, and Tulsa three times. But guess what? Two out of three of those times these two have played each other, the last time being in 2007 where UCF beat Tulsa 44-25. That’s history, this is about right now.

First here’s a recap of the games both of these teams had last week.

UCF comes off a win against University of Alabama Birmingham which secured there spot in the game. The defense saved the knights getting two turnovers. This was a clear cut win for the knights. UAB Quarterback Jonathan Perry racks up 307 yards passing, with 3 touchdowns two from passes and one he ran in. This was Perry’s first game starting after sitting five prior games.

Tulsa is still recovering after giving away a win to SMU. When I say giving away I mean the three turnovers which were two fumbles and an interception. Tulsa may be watching the final drive of the game as you read this. There was forty-six seconds remaining in the game with Tulsa trailing 27-35 the golden hurricanes had the ball on their own six yard line after a fifty-nine yard drive they had time left for one hail mail. Quarterback Cody Green passed to Jordan James for a thirty-four yard completion with the clock expiring, and the worst part James had caught the catch on the one yard line. Tulsa’s QB Cody Green had 413 yards passing three touchdowns and one interception.

Really what’s not to love about this matchup? You have the 26th best offense in the country Tulsa averaging 462 yards a game while UCF is 61st averaging 406 yards a game.

Tulsa’s offence has a great air attack with Cody Green who can move around the pocket to get a perfect pass. They aren’t just an air attack team, Ja’terian Douglas has been the man for the job going for the conversions on 3rd down also, running back Alex Singleton has recorded 19 touchdowns only having 3 games in which he didn’t score.

On the defensive side of the ball Tulsa has allowed an average of 355 yards per game. Their defensive end Jared St. John is tied for the 18th most sacks in the country, having 9.5 and teammate DeAundre brown is tied at 23rd with 9 and one interception. Last time the two teams met Tulsa’s defense held UCF’s offense to 235 total yards. They charged the gaps hurrying quarterback throws and causing deflections.

UCF has the 23rd most touchdowns total in the country, and it’s not hard to tell why. Quarterback Blake Bortles, who is only a sophomore, has led Central Florida all season having 20 passing TDs while completing 64% of his passes. He has had 7 INT, but wait he has 6 rushing TDs. No matter what the play Bortles can adapt when the line collapses you might think your watching an NFL quarterback when you see him scramble for the pass, or run with it. The other player in the back field RB Latavious Murry has had 5 over 100 yards games. Once he gets a space of open field it seems like he’s the only one on the field that’s of the reasons he has 13 TDs. J.J. Worton is the leading receiver averaging 13 yards a catch with 4 TDs.

UCF’s defense is ranked 42nd allowing an average of 374 yards a game. The undisputable leader of the defense is DB A.J Bouye who has 3 INTS that he has returned for 117 yards total and with one pick six.

Up front the D-Line line has added a new rotation system allowing the players on the field to get a break after a play to talk to Coaches and Players about what they see, and how they should adjust. This rotational idea hasn’t historically worked for defenses as well as they have for offenses but UCF Defensive Coordinator Dave Huxtable has made it work.

No Doubt this game will be a back and forth offensive battle with the quarterbacks, but whoever can establish a running presence to set up play actions will win.

My Prediction

UCF 35-Tulsa 30

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