Old Dominion Monarchs vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane 2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl
Our Old Dominion vs Tulsa prediction for the 2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl by TaxAct is a tough one, as both teams are six-and-six. This is the first of eight games being played from December 20 through 25. The third week of bowl games, which runs from December 27 through January 1, is packed with 25 games.
The Old Dominion Monarchs (6-6) finished the season with a record of 5-3 in the C-USA East and tied for second with Marshall. Although they started the season at 1-6, the Monarchs ended it by winning their last five games. This season, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (6-6) finished 5-3 in the AAC and in a three-way tie with UCF and East Carolina for second in the conference. Tulsa had a rough start to the season, at first going 3-6. However, they ended on a positive note with three straight wins.
Spread and Totals Odds
Underdog Old Dominion can be found at +9.5 (-117). Tulsa is listed at -8.5 (-117). The over/under ranges from 52.0 to 53.0. The best over of 52.0 is at -114. The under, 53.0, is at -105. The 2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl by Tax Act will be played at Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC with kickoff at 2:30 pm ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. The game time weather report is for cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 40s. Winds will be 8 mph from the NNE with gusts to 15 mph. There’s a zero percent chance of precipitation.
Old Dominion vs Tulsa Pick - Stats
These two teams are very close statistically. The Monarchs are averaging 28.5 PPG while the Golden Hurricane are putting up 26.3. On defense, both teams are allowing opponents 27.5 PPG. Defensive yards allowed are also exceptionally close, as Old Dominion is permitting 372.7 YPG (247.7 passing/125.0 rushing) and Tulsa giving up 379.5 (231.5 passing/147.8 rushing). In terms of other defensive stats, such as sacks, passes defended, and interceptions, these teams are virtually equal.
Our Old Dominion vs Tulsa prediction notes that the Golden Hurricane are generating a few more offensive yards (335.1-386.0) than the Monarchs. The advantage breaks down to +30 in passing and +20 in rushing.
Old Dominion vs Tulsa Prediction - Key Players
Although the Monarch offense has utilized two QBs, Hayden Wolff and D.J. Mack Jr., we expect that Wolff will start. His 62.2 completion percentage is 10 points better than Mack. Wolff has thrown 10 TD passes and six picks. He’s also rushed for a half-dozen scores. His two top targets, WR Ali Jennings III and tight end Zack Kuntz have 56 and 71 receptions respectively. Each comes to this game with five scoring catches. Blake Watson (201 ATT, 1,035 YDs, 5.1 AVG, 7 TDs) anchors the ground game with Elijah Davis (104 ATT, 575 YDs, 5.5 AVG, 6 TDs) right behind him.
Davis Brin will be in the pocket for Tulsa. Brin has had issues, tossing 16 TD passes and 16 interceptions while being sacked 23 times. His pass completion rate is 58.8 percent. Four Golden Hurricane receivers have made 30 or more catches. Topping all, with 75 catches, 985 yards, and five TDs, is Josh Johnson. The rush attack is three deep. Shamari Brooks (192 ATT, 992 YDs, 4.8 AVG, 6 TDs) and Anthony Watkins (76 ATT, 579 YDs, 7.6 AVG, 4 TDs) lead the unit.
Old Dominion vs Tulsa Prediction
Despite these two teams being close statistically, our Old Dominion vs Tulsa prediction finds that the Monarchs have an advantage at quarterback. However, overall, these teams match up well. With that fact in mind, we’re taking Old Domino +9.5 (-117). We expect each team will score about 30 points. Thus, we’re going with over 52.0 at -114
As a quick note, Sports Betting Smarts is predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowls. In the first week, we went 12-4 with an 8-2 mark on Saturday. Here’s our Famous Idaho Potato Bowl pick for Tuesday, December 21 as Kent State meets Wyoming.
2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl - Old Dominion vs Tulsa Summary
Spread - Old Domino at +9.5 (-117)
Over/Under - Over 52.0 (-114)
