For the first time since 1983-84, the SMU Mustangs have managed to start with a 4-0 record in back-to-back seasons. Can they keep it going against the Tulane Green Wave, who are still winless in the conference? Or will Tulane pull off a shock victory to get in the AAC win column?
The Mustangs remain undefeated after outlasting the No. 25 Memphis Tigers at home last week, 30-27. That’s the Mustangs’ first win against a ranked team this year and their fourth overall to start the season. Although SMU’s rushing attack was stuffed by the Tigers, with the Mustangs coming up with just 75 rushing yards on 26 carries, quarterback Shane Buechele made up for that by going off in the passing game. He passed for 474 passing yards and three touchdowns on 32-of-46 completions. However, SMU’s downfield took a hit with top wide receiver Reggie Roberson Jr. suffering a knee injury. Roberson exited the game and didn’t return after recording 243 receiving yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. If he’ll miss the Tulane game, the Mustangs need their rushing attack to elevate its plays. Running back entered Week 6 as the top rusher in the nation but managed just 32 yards on 13 carries against Memphis, though he can find more space to run this week. The Green Wave allowed 157 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground to the Houston Cougars last week.
The Mustangs are 3-0 against the spread in their last three games overall.
Tulane started like a house on fire in its Week 6 meeting with the Cougars, but could not sustain its form due in large part to a porous defense that surrendered 476 total yards. But perhaps the biggest problem of Tulane in that game was in ball security, as the team coughed the ball up five times. The Mustangs are a dangerous offensive team, but the Green Wave could get a big bonus if Roberson gets eventually ruled out for the upcoming game. As for their own offense, the Green Wave saw Michael Pratt make his first start in the Houston game. Pratt passed for just 141 yards and a touchdown, but what’s important was that he did not account for any of the turnovers his team made against the Cougars. Tulane is eighth in the nation with 242.8 rushing yards per game, and while it was limited on the ground by Houston, there’s a good chance it can rebound against SMU’s stop unit that is allowing over 200 rushing yards per game. Despite their errors against Houston, the Green Wave are still 10th in the nation with a +1.2 turnover margin per game.
The over is 3-0 in the Green Wave’s last three games overall.
