Central Michigan (6-6, Mid-American) vs. Tulsa (9-3, American), 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Tulsa by 12 1/2.
Series Record: Tied, 1-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Tulsa has a shot at a 10-win season. Central Michigan will aim to avoid finishing with a losing record, after starting 5-2.
KEY MATCHUP
Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush vs. Tulsa’s secondary. Rush is smart (3.86 GPA), strong-armed and has a chance to end his college career as the leading passer in MAC history. Tulsa is likely going to score plenty of points, so it’s up to Rush to weave his magic and keep the Chippewas afloat. He comes into Monday with 3,299 yards and 23 touchdowns this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Central Michigan: LB Joe Ostman. The junior is a stout pass rusher, with 13.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and six quarterback hurries this season.
Tulsa: RBs D’Angelo Brewer and James Flanders. Both are 1,000-yard rushers, and need a combined 141 yards Monday to collectively reach 3,000 this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
The quarterbacks in this game - Rush and Tulsa’s Dane Evans - have combined for 13.7 miles worth of passes in their college careers, both of which end Monday. Rush has 12,653 yards, Evans 11,376. … The teams haven’t played each other since 1987. … Tulsa has the smallest enrollment of any FBS school, 3,473. … Central Michigan offensive coordinator Morris Watts is a 1961 graduate of Tulsa, where he was a running back and kick returner.
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AP College Football website: https://collegefootball.ap.org
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