Landry Lyddy zipped through UConn’s secondary with a 33-yard completion on his first throw, then found Mario Sanders for a 56-yard catch-and-run. Southern Miss still lost 48-20, but it was an important flash of potential aggression to come from the Golden Eagles. Blake Anderson now starts Lyddy against Will Hall’s Tulane, with Ethan Hampton nursing his injured throwing hand. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Tulane Green Wave and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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Tulane vs. Southern Miss prediction, preview
I’ve already expected too much of this offense once, when Southern Miss managed eight points at Auburn. Lyddy’s 194 passing yards against UConn came while chasing a runaway game, and he gifted the Huskies a pick-six on a covered screen. He’s got underneath decisionmaking to clean up, but he’s absolutely got the arm talent to exploit holes in any secondary.
Which, you know, speaking of—Tulane’s defendese have surrendered 28 conversions on 50 third downs and collected one sack through three games. Southern Miss converted five of 15 against UConn, so the third-down game nets fairly even for me right now, way both teams are playing. Steven Robinson’s 72 yards on 18 carries should encourage Cefalo to keep running. Lyddy needs to encounter second-and-five occasionally, too. Opponents have hogged nearly 36 minutes per game, which helps explain Tulane’s meager 55.3 offensive snaps per outing.
Hall has plenty to repair in his first Tulane season. Kansas State sacked Kadin Semonza six times for 45 yards, and Tulane had only 13 points until the final three minutes. Cooper Helmke supplied six with field goals from 58 and 53 yards. I enjoy outrageous kicking as much as anybody; that’s a precarious way to assemble a three-touchdown victory.
Southern Miss vs. Tulane pick, best bet
The ground game could spare Hall some aggravation. Maurice Turner and Johnnie Daniels gouged Kansas State for 123 yards on 17 carries, a healthier showing than Tulane’s sack-depleted rushing total suggests. Southern Miss allows 220 rushing yards per game. I’ve got Tulane clocking out with 31 points o the virtue of their running game.
At +18.5, I’m backing Southern Miss. Robinson and Sanders give Lyddy enough help to reach 20 points against a defense that keeps conceding third downs. That’ll keep it within two possessions at least. Another silly mistake from the offense could wreck the evening, certainly. I still prefer this Lyddy’s chances of finishing a few drives to asking Tulane’s uneven offense to win by three touchdowns, or two tuddies and two FGs.
Best bet: Southern Miss +18.5, at -115 or better
Projected score: Tulane 31, Southern Miss 20
Best Bet: Southern Miss +18.5 (-110) at Tulane
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