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Start Time: 4:00 PM PST Saturday, September 3
Location: Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, Oklahoma
TV: CBSSN
Radio: KLIV (1590 AM, San Jose)
Betting Line: Tulsa -5, O/U 70
Series History: This is the seventh meeting between San Jose State and Tulsa with the all-time series tied at 3-3. The two teams haven’t faced each other since 2004, back when they were both part of the WAC. San Jose is ranked 77 and Tulsa 78 in the FPI and both teams were 6-7 last season. Seems like a pretty even matchup for a home opener....
SJSU Outlook: San Jose has a huge hole in their offense this season without running back Tyler Ervin. Quarterback Kenny Potter finished the 2015 season with 1,985 passing yards, but without Ervin as his go-to guy he’s going to have to develop his passing ability early on this season. San Jose had the second best 2015 recruiting class in the Mountain West Conference. They also have 15 starters returning, but I don’t think it will be enough to beat Tulsa this year.
Tulsa Outlook: Both teams are comparable in record and roster, but I’m giving this one to Tulsa because of home field advantage and the fact that they have senior quarterback, Dane Evans. He threw 25 touchdowns last season and is only the third quarterback in the school’s history to exceed 4,000 passing yards in a single season. There’s no cut and dry winner in my opinion, but according to Oddshark Tulsa is the real underdog.