Tulane vs. SMU Week 8 Prediction
From a betting standpoint, Tulane has had some success against American Athletic Conference foe SMU and the rivals will meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. With the No. 21 Mustangs keep their perfect record intact with a win and a cover or are the Green Wave the better bet?
Game Snapshot
311 Tulane Green Wave (+14) at 312 SMU Mustangs (-14); o/u 70.5
7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, October 21, 2021
Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
TV: ESPN
Tulane Green Wave Game Notes
Tulane freshman QB Michael Pratt completed 20-of-30 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns in a 40-22 loss to Houston. This was a much better game for Pratt (6’2/205) coming off that 52-29 loss to East Carolina where he threw three interceptions. Pratt did his best to keep the Green Wave in this game. Down 14-0 early, Pratt ran to his right, threw it across his body to find Tyrick James wide open for the 11-yard touchdown. They risked it and went for the two-point conversion and used some trickery. Pratt handed it to Tyjae Spears, who tossed it to Connor Prouet, who threw to a wide-open Pratt in the end zone for two points. Pratt would respond again later early in the second half with Tulane down 17-15 he would connect with Will Wallace for 29 yards. Houston would prove to be too much they would go on to score 20 unanswered for the win. The true freshman can hope to keep improving as they travel to play SMU on October 21st.
SMU Mustangs Game Notes
SMU redshirt junior QB Tanner Mordecai completed 30-of-40 passes for two touchdowns and one interception in the Mustang’s 31-24 win over Navy. To be fair, Navy’s defense played very well, but Mordecai (6’2″/208) had a lot of trouble in the first half. He was sacked for the first time this season and fumbled the ball, letting Navy return it for a score, and he threw a pick in the end zone. That pick was just one of a few passes that Mordecai tried to fit over Navy defenders and failed, and he’s lucky to not have more interceptions on the day. Mordecai was better in the second half, with far fewer dangerous throws, and he lasered one in to Jordan Kerley for the game winner. It was a bit low, but Kerley came up with it. Mordecai’s first score was a perfectly delivered ball down the seam, with his line giving him plenty of time on a perfect blitz pickup. Through six games, Mordecai has shown he can make beautiful throws, but sometimes trusts his arm too much and tries to force dangerous passes into tight windows. He’ll hope to be more consistent after the bye.
Tulane vs. SMU Betting Prediction
The road team is 11-4 against the spread in the last 15 meetings between these two teams while the Green Wave have covered in six of their last eight road games versus the Mustangs. Tulane has also covered in 11 of its last 15 games coming off a loss and is 6-2 against the spread in its last eight games following a double-digit loss at home.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 6 PREDICTION: TULANE GREEN WAVE +14
