The Central Florida Knights and Tulane Green Wave will meet at Yulman Stadium for the American Athletic Conference Championship.
UCF struggled in their last two weeks being upset by Navy and narrowly evading the comeback effort of rival USF to finish the season 9-3 and ranked No. 22.
Tulane has been impressive all season capped off with a 27-24 win over Cincinnati last week to finish with 10 wins. It is the first double-digit win season for Tulane since 1998 and an incredible turnaround after finishing 2-10 last season.
Continue reading for UCF vs Tulane 0dds, predictions, and best bets.
AAC Championship Game Odds
As of Tuesday, the AAC championship lines at Caesars Sportsbook have Tulane as a three-point favorite.
It is important to note that unlike most conferences, the AAC Championship Game is played on the home field of the higher seed (Tulane).
- Read our Pac-12 Championship Game predictions
The total is set at 56.5, which is a surprise. These two met in the middle of November, and UCF won 38-31, which is nearly two touchdowns more than this total.
AAC Championship Prediction
UCF 27, Tulane 24
This isn’t the UCF of the last decade.
After bursting onto the scene with an electric passing attack and optional defense, UCF has changed its identity this season.
The Knights still lead the conference in total offense but it’s due to their running game, as they’re averaging 243.7 yards per game on the ground.
- Check out our SEC Championship Game predictions and best bets
UCF has two quality quarterbacks with Duke transfer John Rhys Plumlee and Mikey Keene.
Plumlee is the dual-threat option and has been one of the best rushing threats in the country, but a shoulder injury sidelined him. Keene is the more refined passer and the coaching staff has raved about his leadership abilities.
The refocused effort on the defensive end has also played a factor in UCF’s run to the conference championship. The Knights are third in the conference allowing 21.3 points per game, the lowest for UCF since 2014.
Tulane has been even better on the defensive side of the ball but struggled to stop the run against UCF in the first meeting, allowing 336 yards and four touchdowns rushing alone.
AAC Championship Best Bets
UCF +3.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
I see this game as a three-point game either way and with a UCF rushing attack that has been seldomly slowed down this season, they’re able to keep this game within the number.
- Stay up to date with our CFB Week 14 Power Rankings
It’s a major surprise Tulane made it this far, and they could win this game and secure an NY6 spot, but I’ll take the Knights to keep it within 3.5 in a back-and-forth game.
Under 56.5 Total Points (-110) at DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The pressure will be amplified, both teams will lean on the run, and both defenses are among the best in the conference.
- Check out our latest CFB National Championship odds favorites
Despite the first meeting going nearly two touchdowns Over this number, I think both defenses come out refocused, and having seen each other already plays a factor in a lower-scoring-than-expected contest.
