Tulsa vs Sam Houston Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 12, 2026
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane visit the Sam Houston Bearkats on Saturday at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and coverage on ESPN+. Tulsa enters at 1-0 after beating Oklahoma State 24-10, while Sam Houston is 0-1 following a 24-21 road loss to Troy. Tulsa opened as a 10.5-point favorite and is now -13.5 at -115, with Sam Houston +13.5 at -105. The total has fallen from 53.5 to 51.5. Cash in a winning ticket with our free NCAAF picks.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Preview
Tulsa produced 361 total offensive yards against Oklahoma State, including 227 through the air and 134 on the ground. Baylor Hayes completed 17 of 24 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception without taking a sack. Damari Alston led the rushing attack with 73 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, while Trequan Jones added 35 yards on seven attempts. Hayes also contributed 28 rushing yards as Tulsa averaged 4.1 yards per carry.
Oran Singleton Jr. was the biggest threat in the passing game, catching four passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Jimmy Calloway added five receptions for 71 yards. Tulsa's defense held Oklahoma State to 10 points and forced multiple turnovers. Tyson Williams and Zach Williams each recorded an interception, while Dax Collins and Thomas Davis registered one sack apiece. Chris Thompson Jr. led the Golden Hurricane with 10 tackles.
Injuries: No injuries to report.
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Sam Houston Bearkats Preview
Sam Houston produced 373 total offensive yards in its three-point loss at Troy, but almost all of that production came through the air. Landyn Locke completed 30 of 46 passes for 335 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The Bearkats managed only 38 rushing yards on 24 attempts, with Alton McCaskill gaining 51 yards on 13 carries. Locke lost 36 yards on five attempts while taking four sacks, leaving Sam Houston at just 1.6 yards per rushing attempt.
Grady O'Neill caught seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown, while Tim Burns Jr. added 63 yards. Chris Reed had 52 receiving yards and a score, and Darrick Bledsoe III also caught a touchdown. Sam Houston's defense recorded four sacks but did not force an interception. Elijah Groves led the pass rush with 1.5 sacks, while Brian Bates Jr. added one. Railyn Adams paced the Bearkats with seven tackles.
Injuries: No injuries to report.
Tulsa vs Sam Houston Prediction
Tulsa has the stronger defensive profile after limiting Oklahoma State to 10 points and forcing two interceptions. Sam Houston moved the ball well through Locke, but the lack of a running game and four sacks allowed are major concerns against a Tulsa defense that already showed it can create negative plays. The Golden Hurricane also have more balance with Hayes and Alston giving the offense two reliable paths forward. Sam Houston can generate passing yards at home, but Tulsa will control the matchup and pull away. Final Score Prediction: Tulsa Golden Hurricane win, 34-17.
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Best Picks
- Tulsa -13.5 (-115)
- Under 51.5 (-112)
