A couple of schools that prefer to mix in a lot of running plays, Head Coach Sonny Dykes and the SMU Mustangs (+7) are set to take on their in-conference nemesis Tulane Green Wave (-7) at Benson Field at Yulman Stadium. ESPNU will televise the action and kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
SMU Mustangs at Tulane Green Wave Betting Preview
SMU is a live dog and is currently getting 7 points in this Saturday AAC game. If they are wanting to take the moneyline, gamblers would currently have to wager $300 in order to win $100 back on the Green Wave (-300). The Mustangs are getting +220 moneyline odds. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 60.5 points, and should one team gets out in front early, it will likely produce a worthwhile betting opportunity in-game.
The general public leaning toward the Mustangs. The line originally opened at -8 and the over/under was placed initially at 61.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Mustangs have gained 1.1 units and the Green Wave are up 2.3 units.
The Mustangs have gone 2-4 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against AAC opponents. The Green Wave are 2-4 SU overall and are also 1-1 SU in conference play.
The Mustangs are trying to get back on track after a 48-20 defeat to UCF on October 6 in which the Mustangs completed 24-of-42 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Ben Hicks went 15-for-23 for 153 yards and one touchdown while William Brown completed nine-of-19 for 84 yards and one touchdown. Braeden West (69 yards on 17 rush attempts) and William Brown (13 yards on 10 carries) provided the running attack in the loss while James Proche (12 receptions, 100 yards, two TDs) and West (four catches, 15 yards) manned the receiving duties.
Tulane just dropped a 37-21 game to Cincinnati. The defensive unit allowed the Bearcats to run for 272 yards on 48 rush attempts, including three rush TDs. Michael Warren II was a force to be reckoned with, putting up 123 rushing yards and a score on 18 attempts for Cincinnati. As a group, the Green Wave collectively completed 12-of-31 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Justin McMillan went 11-for-26 for 130 yards and two touchdowns while Jonathan Banks was one-of-five for two yards. Darius Bradwell (88 rushing yards on 16 attempts, one TD) mounted the ground attack in the defeat as Darnell Mooney (four receptions, 65 yards, one TD) and Terren Encalade (two catches, 31 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack.
SMU’s run the ball on 50.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Tulane has a rush percentage of 63.6 percent. The Mustangs have produced 122 rush yards per game (including 121 per game versus American Athletic Conference opponents) and have seven touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Green Wave are putting up 192 rushing yards per game (226 in conference) and have 12 total rush TDs.
The Mustangs offensive scheme has tallied 231 yards per game in the air overall (202 per game against conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Green Wave have put up 186 pass yards per contest (155.0 in the AAC) and have eight total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, SMU should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 195 rush yards and 234 pass yards per game. The Tulane defense has allowed 272.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 175.5 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Mustangs have given up an ANY/A of 7.14 to opposing QBs, while the Green Wave are allowing an ANY/A of 6.89.
Offensively, Brown has amassed 316 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 63 percent of his 65 attempts with five scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. He has a 6.07 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 9.59 over the past two games.
Justin McMillan has completed 13-of-28 passes for 145 yards, two TDs and zero INTs for Tulane. His ANY/A sits at a mediocre 4.67 for the season and 7.43 over his last two outings.
These two squads faced off last year with the final result being a 41-38 win for SMU.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: SMU Mustangs vs. Tulane Green Wave
SU Winner – Tulane, ATS Winner – Tulane, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes
The O/U for SMU’s last game was set at 74. The under cashed in the team’s 48-20 defeat to UCF.
SMU has averaged 3.8 yards per carry across its past three contests and 3.7 over its last two.
Tulane has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.8 over its last two.
The Tulane offense has lost five fumbles this season while SMU has let four get away.
Over its last three games, SMU is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Tulane’s last outing was set at 48. The over cashed in the 37-21 defeat to Cincinnati.
In its last three matchups, Tulane is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Mustangs offense has created seven pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Green Wave have accounted for five such plays.
Both teams have allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards. The SMU defense has given up eight pass plays of 30+ yards while Tulane has given up 12 such plays.
The SMU offense has created six rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Tulane has created 15 such runs.
The Mustangs defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Green Wave have given up six such runs.
The Tulane defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times this season. SMU has produced just eight sacks.
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