Defense meets offense when the No. 21 Tulane University Green Wave (8-2, 5-1 AAC) welcome the Southern Methodist University Mustangs (6-4, 4-2 AAC) at Benson Field at Yulman Stadium on Thursday. The Green Wave are three-point favorites, and the total is 65.
SMU is coming off a convincing 41-23 win over South Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, their third consecutive victory. Tanner Mordecai was 19 of 27 for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Lavine ran 17 times for 112 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Kerley caught seven passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Tulane lost 38-31 to No. 22 UCF at Benson Field at Yulman Stadium on Saturday. Michael Pratt threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Tyjae Spears carried eight times for 130 yards. Jha’Quan Jackson had five receptions for 95 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Mustangs won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 55-26 victory in October, their fifth straight win against Tulane. Tanner Mordecai threw three touchdowns for SMU, as Tre Siggers added two TDs. Michael Pratt tossed three touchdowns for Tulane.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Mustangs are averaging 40.3 points per game for the season, ninth in FBS, and they are facing a Green Wave defense that has surrendered 19.0 PPG (16th). Meanwhile, Tulane has scored 32.7 points a game this season, 37th in the country, and SMU is allowing 32.6 PPG (116th).
The Mustangs rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (325.9, 7th), while they are 59th in rushing yards (160.5). They will be matching strength against strength through the air, as the Green Wave are 13th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (175.5).
Against the run, Tulane is 67th (147.9).Tulane is 57th in the country in passing yards per game (238.2) and 49th in rushing (177.7). SMU’s defense has been most vulnerable on the ground, as the Mustangs are 117th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (197.6). Against the pass, the Mustangs are 93rd (248.6).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through nine games, Tanner Mordecai has thrown for 27 touchdowns (7 INT) and 308.9 yards per game to lead SMU in passing. In four away games this season, he has nine TDs (3 INT) and an average of 344.0 yards passing.
Tyler Lavine leads the team in rushing with an average of 50.6 yards a game over eight games. He has seven touchdowns on the ground. Rashee Rice is the Mustangs’ leading receiver with 116.7 yards a game and nine TDs.
Michael Pratt has 17 passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 231.0 yards per game through nine games to lead Tulane. In six home games this season, he has thrown for 12 TDs (1 INT) and an average of 241.5 yards.
Tyjae Spears has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 87.5 yards a game through 10 games. He has 11 total touchdowns, 10 rushing and one receiving. Jha’Quan Jackson has been the primary target in the Green Wave’s passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 42.1 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
SportsTips’ College Foottball Pick:
SMU (+135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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