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The Cincinnati Bearcats are getting plenty of attention and rightfully so, but the SMU Mustangs are another AAC team still without a loss heading into Thursday night’s game against the Tulane Green Wave. Oklahoma Sooners transfer Tanner Mordecai has been a star for SMU as he leads the country in touchdown passes with 26, and he threw for more than 300 yards in five of six games this season.
Here’s all the data you’ll want, and a pick for the game!
SP+ Rankings
Tulane: 90 overall, 52 offense, 114 defense
SMU: 48 overall, 19 offense, 74 defense
Injury update
Tulane
No new injuries to report
SMU
No new injuries to report
ATS/Total
Against The Spread
Tulane: 2-4 ATS
SMU: 4-2 ATS
Total
Tulane: Over 5-1
SMU: Over 2-4
Returning/Overall Talent from 247Sports
Tulane: 79 overall, 88 offense, 75 defense
SMU: 67 overall, 69 offense, 66 defense
Current lines at DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread: SMU -14
Total: 70.5
Moneyline: SMU -600, Tulane +435
Opening line: SMU -13
Opening total: 73.5
Weather
60 degrees, 8 MPH wind, 15% chance of rain
The Pick
SMU -14
As long as you can get this game under a 14-point spread, the Mustangs are a fantastic play because of the significant offensive advantage. Neither team plays all that well defensively, but SMU ranks No. 11 in yards per play against FBS opponents offensively, while Tulane checks in at No. 96. The Green Wave allowed 40 or more points in four of their five games against FBS opponents this season, and it’s tough to imagine them keeping up on Thursday night.
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