2011 Predictions & Game Story
Week 7 - UAB at Tulsa
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Oct. 15 at Tulsa 37 … UAB 20
CFN Analysis: It wasn’t a pretty performance and the defense continues to have problems, but the Golden Hurricane was able to win without a problem thanks to G.J. Kinne’s best game of the season, throwing for 341 yards and three scores, while Ja’Terian Douglas ran for 137 yards and a score on just 14 carries. Turnovers were a big problem coming into the game, and giving up three fumbles and a Kinne pick showed just how far the team has to go to tighten up. UAB’s only change to keep this close was with takeaways, and Tulsa gave them up. That shouldn’t be a problem against Rice, but the offense has to be perfect against SMU in a few weeks.
UAB’s offense moved better, but the defense still can’t stop anything on a consistent basis because the line isn’t generating enough pressure and isn’t slowing down the run. Tulsa isn’t exactly a power team, but it was able to bang away without a problem. For all the issues on the line, though, the Blazers got three sacks and were a bit more disruptive than normal, but it wasn’t enough. Bryan Ellis was back under center, and while he only completed 20-of-42 passes, he threw for 280 yards and two scores with Jamarcus Nelson catching two passes for 111 yards and two scores. Against UCF, the O line has to keep playing well in pass protection and has to keep Ellis clean.
(AP) TULSA, Okla. -- G.J. Kinne threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns as Tulsa overcame four turnovers in a 37-20 victory over winless Alabama-Birmingham.
UAB (0-6 overall, 0-3 Conference USA), scored 17 consecutive points to take a 17-10 lead in the second quarter, but Kinne threw two touchdown passes in the final 3:28 of the first half, helping Tulsa (3-3, 2-0) to a 24-20 lead at halftime.
Ja'Terian Douglas ran for 137 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter that stretched the lead to 37-20. Clay Sears had nine catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, and Willie Carter had eight for 87 and a score.
Bryan Ellis threw first-half scoring strikes of 66 and 45 yards to Jamarcus Nelson, the first two touchdown passes of the season for UAB. Ellis completed 20 of 42 passes for 280 yards.
UAB (0-5) at Tulsa (2-3) Oct. 15, 8:00, CBS Sports Network
Here’s The Deal … The toughest part of the schedule now behind it, Tulsa is hoping to go on a run that’ll rival last season’s hot finish. The Golden Hurricane is eyeing a replication of 2010, when it claimed a victory in the final seven games. The program, which got a week off after beating North Texas handily, believes it possesses the talent and experience to dig out of its current hole, and become a serious threat out of the West Division.
While UAB has opened with a tough schedule as well, a lopsided loss to Tulane in Week 2 was the first of numerous indications that the 2011 campaign might no longer be salvageable. The veteran Blazers, which began the year with so much hope, have devolved into one of the league’s biggest disappointments. Barring an unexpected rally, the only storyline in the second half will revolve around the fate of embattled head coach Neil Callaway.
Why UAB Might Win: A glimmer of hope in Birmingham comes in the expected return of QB Bryan Ellis from a concussion that sidelined him for the last two games. When he’s on and healthy, the Blazers have a shot of weaving an upset against more than just Conference USA foes. UAB needs to recapture some of the mojo it had in 2010, when Ellis and RB Pat Shed formed one of the league’s most underrated backfield tandems. If, as expected, Tulsa starts putting up points in bunches, the Blazers will need to prove that they can go stride-for-stride in that type of a slugfest.
Why Tulsa Might Win: Although the Blazers D has played better of late, it’ll still be no match for QB G.J. Kinne and the rest of the Golden Hurricane offense. Kinne is as healthy as he’s been all year, which should cause concern for UAB. His gimpy knee aided by a week of rest, he can either break down the defense with his legs, or move the chains with tosses to pass-catchers Bryan Burnham, Willie Carter and Ricky Johnson. The attack has not been the same without suspended WR Damaris Johnson, but it can still spread the field and strike quickly from myriad different sets.
What To Watch Out For: If Tulsa is going to get on the tarmac this fall, it’ll need more help from the defense. The D has always been a little soft, but gained a reputation for attacking and creating game-changing plays when Todd Graham was the head coach. The 2011 edition, though, has been a major disappointment. The Golden Hurricane ranks 100th nationally in sacks, and has only nine takeaways. It’s incumbent upon the playmakers, such as linebackers Curnelius Arnick and Shawn Jackson and safeties Marco Nelson and Dexter McCoil, to be a lot more active than they were in the first five games.
What Will Happen: It’ll be worth keeping an eye on Tulsa, which has the right mix of talent and seasoning to sneak up on a bunch of people in October and November. It won’t have to play possum with UAB this week; it’ll go right after the visitors shortly beyond kickoff. The Blazers are dangerous, trailing Mississippi State by just four points in the fourth quarter a week ago. However, they’ll run into a buzzsaw at Skelly Stadium on Saturday. A well-rested Golden Hurricane team will deliver its best game of 2011, opening up an early lead, and coasting back to the .500 mark.
CFN Prediction: Tulsa 34 … UAB 20
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Tulsa -22 O/U: 58.5
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