The Oklahoma Sooners return to action after beating Tennessee by hosting the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. We take review the in-state matchup below in the Tulsa vs. Oklahoma prediction and game preview.

Tulsa vs. Oklahoma Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Network: Fox Sports 1

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Why You Need To Care

What will you do for an encore, Oklahoma? The Sooners scripted one of the signature moments of Week 2, rallying in Knoxville to defeat Tennessee in overtime, 31-24. But if OU is going to enter the Big 12 contention discussion alongside TCU and Baylor, there can be no let-up in the final non-conference game. Tulsa has won its first two games for Philip Montgomery, defeating Florida Atlantic and New Mexico. Go out and beat the Sooners, which have won eight straight in the series, and Montgomery will be an early Coach of the Year candidate.

Why Tulsa Will Win

The offense has been incendiary, albeit versus weaker competition. Montgomery has successfully installed an up-tempo attack that’s averaging more than 600 yards a game. And while receivers Keyarris Garrett and Keevan Lucas began the season as the marquee Hurricane playmakers, backs Zack Langer and D’Angelo Brewer both ran for 100 yards last weekend.

Why Oklahoma Will Win

The Sooner have the best defense—and offense—that Tulsa has faced this month. Without a ton of attention, Oklahoma is playing really well on D, holding a very good Tennessee offense to just 254 yards last week. Plus, the Hurricane defense remains a liability that the Sooners will be able to exploit with the running of Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, and the passing of Baker Mayfield to Sterling Shepard.

Player Who Matters

Facing Garrett and Lucas will be an excellent pre-Big 12 tune-up for Sooner cornerbacks Zack Sanchez and Jordan Thomas. No, it’s not Baylor or TCU, but it’ll be a solid test against a pair of veteran receivers who’ve made a lot of big plays during their careers. If OU can apply pressure from OLB Eric Striker and DE Charles Tapper, Tulsa QB Dane Evans will force bad balls into traffic.

What’s Going To Happen?

Tulsa may wind up being a factor in the American this year, but the Sooners remain out of reach. Even after the emotional win over Tennessee, Oklahoma has too much of an edge on both sides of the ball to be pushed by the Hurricane. OU will relocate its offensive execution, vexing Tulsa with Perine and play-action.

Oklahoma vs. Tulsa Score Prediction

Final Score: Oklahoma 45, Tulsa 23, Line: Oklahoma -30.5, o/u: 71.5

Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 3

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