The first full week of bowl season kicks off with the Miami Beach Bowl on Monday afternoon in a game that has only been around for two years but has already provided us with plenty of excitement.
Last year, Western Kentucky and South Florida combined for 90 points in a thrilling shootout, and two years ago was the wild 55-48 Memphis win over BYU that concluded in a massive brawl. This season, Central Michigan of the MAC will battle Tulsa from Conference USA. The Golden Hurricane are big 13.5-point favorites as they look to provide more Monday afternoon excitement in Miami.
Viewing information
Date: Monday, Dec. 19
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Marlins Park -- Miami, Florida
TV: ESPN
Live streams: WatchESPN / WatchESPN apps
Storylines
Central Michigan: The Chippewas want to prove that they belong in bowl season as there are plenty that point to their win over Oklahoma State -- thanks to a Hail Mary that transpired only due to an incorrectly given untimed down -- as a fluke. To have a chance against Tulsa, Central Michigan will look to quarterback Cooper Rush, who led the 26th-ranked passing attack in the nation this season.
As a nearly two-touchdown underdog, not many expect the Chips to keep this one too close, but in a game that's produced two thrilling shootouts in its two years as a bowl, Central Michigan has enough firepower in the passing game to make it a third straight high-scoring Miami Beach Bowl.
Tulsa: The question in this game isn't whether Tulsa scores lots of points, it's whether Central Michigan's offense can keep pace. The Golden Hurricane were 11th in the nation in scoring offense (41.4 ppg) and eighth in rushing offense (261.8 ypg); they will look to run away from the Chippewas on the backs of their two talented running backs in James Flanders and D'Angelo Brewer.
Flanders rushed for over 1.500 yards and 17 touchdowns (seventh nationally), while Brewer added 1,300 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Tulsa runs it a lot -- over 50 times a game -- and does so with tempo. Central Michigan was around the national average in rush defense at 56th (161.3 ypg) but gave up 200 or more on three occasions. If Tulsa's backs get loose, the Chippewas will have a tough time covering the 13.5-point number.
Prediction
The brief two-year history of this game says this will be a relatively close shootout. I think half of that is right. I expect points to be put up in bunches in Miami, but I don't think Central Michigan will be able to keep up with the Golden Hurricane's offense for four quarters. Also, it's weird to look at bowl game history because the games feature different teams each year. It's a big spread, but I think Tulsa is the much better team here and will cover the near two-touchdown number. Pick: Tulsa -11.5
