SMU vs. Tulane Prediction, Odds, Line, Pick, and Preview: November 17

The SMU Mustangs will be on the road in this Week 12 NCAA Football matchup as they take on the 21st-ranked Tulane Green Wave in an American Athletic Conference game on Thursday, November 17th.

The Mustangs (6-4, 4-2) are on a three-game winning streak after a 41-23 road victory against the South Florida Bulls last Saturday. The Green Wave (6-2, 5-1) are coming off a 38-31 home loss against the 22nd-ranked UCF Knights last Saturday as well.

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SMU Mustangs vs. Tulane Green Wave: Match Details

Fixture: SMU Mustangs @ Tulane Green Wave

Date & Time: Thursday, November 17, 7:30 p.m. EDT

Venue: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana

SMU has done extremely well offensively throughout the season, averaging 40.3 points for a total of 486.4 yards. Senior quarterback Tanner Mordecai has played well as he has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 2,780 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He needs to continue to throw the ball to senior wide receiver Rashee Rice more often. He has 77 receptions for 1,167 yards (15.2 yards per catch) with nine touchdown grabs thus far.

The Mustangs need to step up defensively as they are giving up 32.6 points on 446.2 total yards per game. They have to limit the number of rushing yards against them as they are allowing 197.6 rushing yards per game, which is the 15th-most in the entire nation. SMU needs to continue to improve more than they did last week as they held the Bulls to 179 rushing yards and 4.3 yards per carry.

The Green Wave are also a great offensive program as they are scoring 32.7 points in 415.9 total yards with great help from their rushing attack. Junior running back Tyjae Spears is dominating as he has 142 rushing attempts for 875 yards (6.2 yards per carry) with 10 rushing touchdowns as well as 18 receptions for 218 yards (12.1 yards per catch) with a touchdown reception. They need junior quarterback Michael Pratt to continue to do well as he is completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 2,079 yards with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Their defense has shown up very well throughout the season, having regularly held the opposition to 19 points per game. Teams are moving the football decently well against them as they allow 323.4 yards per game. They need to continue keeping teams out of the end zone if they want to win.

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SMU Mustangs vs. Tulane Green Wave: Betting Odds

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Over/Under
SMU Mustangs	+140	+3.5 (-110)	O 65 (-110)
Tulane Green Wave	-165	-3.5 (-110)	U 65 (-110)

SMU Mustangs vs. Tulane Green Wave: Pick

These teams are solid, but the Mustangs have been able to get off to hot starts throughout the season. Tulane have scored 12.7 points in their last three games and have the ability to defend as well as score. SMU struggles to defend; the Mustangs are going to struggle unless they get the first possession. However, Tulane should be able to get stops and force punts to the point where they should hold the Mustangs without scoring early in the game.

Best Pick: Tulane 1st to Score (-125)

SMU Mustangs vs. Tulane Green Wave Prediction

These offenses are extremely similar. Defenses are going to be the deciding factor. Southern Methodist is allowing 40 points in their last three games while Tulane is giving up 26.3 points per game in that same stretch. Tulane is an incredible 8-2 ATS this season. Expect their defense to step up and win by more than a field goal in this game in their own building.