How and what to watch for No. 17 SMU vs. Tulane

The No. 17 SMU Mustangs have been a fun team this season putting up a ton of points with an undefeated record as they head on the road to play the Tulane Green Wave on Friday.

SMU received some bad news leading up to this week’s game. On Monday it was announced the team’s leading wide receiver Reggie Roberson Jr. and starting running back TJ McDaniel will miss the rest of the season with injuries. Both players were injured in SMU’s last game, a 30-27 victory over the Memphis Tigers on Oct. 3. Mustangs quarterback Shane Buechele is second in passing yards so far this season with 1,326.

Tulane is coming into Friday’s game with a 2-2 record as the Green Wave to get above .500. Tulane has road wins over South Alabama and Southern Miss, but lost to Navy at home and Houston on the road. Last Thursday against the Cougars, Tulane was outgained 476-211 in a 49-31 loss. Freshman quarterback Michael Pratt threw for just 141 yards and a touchdown on 11 of 25 passing.

SMU has won the last five games of this series, including a 37-20 last season in Dallas.

Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming

You can watch this game Friday, October 16th at 6:00 ET on the ESPN, or you can stream it via the ESPN app.

Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends

Point spread: SMU (-6.5) at Tulane
Point Total: O/U 66.5 (-110)
Money line: SMU (-235), Tulane (+190)

• SMU is 4-2 against the spread in its last six games.
• The point total went under in five of SMU’s last seven games.
• Tulane is 2-4 against the spread in its last six games.
• Tulane is 5-1 against the spread in its last six home games.

The Best Bet

SMU’s offense is fun and should still be fairly successful without Roberson Jr. and McDaniel. McDaniel isn’t even the most effective running back statistically on the team, as Ulysses Bentley IV has more yards with less carries. The bigger issue will be the loss of Roberson Jr., who already had nearly 500 yards with five touchdowns. Despite the offense’s success, he total reached 66.5 just once this season. Let’s get after the under.

Pick: Under 66.5

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