Tulane Green Wave vs SMU Mustangs Betting Preview: SMU Should Stay Perfect on Thursday Night

SMU is looking to stay undefeated until their tilt against Cincinnati. That is still a month away but could be quite the battle if both teams are still undefeated come November 20. The #2 Bearcats are hoping to land in the College Football Playoff, but the Mustangs are looking for their own memorable season.

Tulane has been a disappointment with just one win on the season so far. They pushed Oklahoma in the opener but have struggled since.

The Green Wave have been able to move the ball, but their defense has been atrocious. That is a dangerous combo against one of the most explosive teams in college football.

Tulane Green Wave (1-5) vs SMU Mustangs (6-0), ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET

Tulane Green Wave vs SMU Mustangs College Football Betting Odds

Moneyline

• Tulane Green Wave +440
• SMU Mustangs -650

Total

• OVER 70.5 (-108)
• UNDER 70.5 (-112)

Spread

• Tulane Green Wave +13.5 (-110)
• SMU Mustangs -13.5 (-110)

Tulane Green Wave vs SMU Mustangs college football betting odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 11:45 a.m. ET.

Tulane Green Wave vs SMU Mustangs Best Bet

SMU -13.5

SMU is 10th in the nation in scoring, averaging 40 points per game. But the experts are saying they are not beating their opponents by enough, which is why there is not much respect for them in the national rankings right now.

Transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai is having a massive season with 26 TD passes already. No matter how the team is playing overall the SMU offense gives them a chance to compete. They beat up TCU pretty thoroughly last month. That was their best win of the season to date.

Tulane is arguably one of the biggest underachievers in college football this season. There was some hope that they could make some noise in the AAC, but that does not look likely now. The Green Wave have not been able to stop anyone this season; it is as simple as that. While SMU scores 40 points per game, Tulane gives up that much per game. All of their defensive metrics are ranked in the 100s, and it is hard to see how they get that turned around on the road on a Thursday night in a hostile environment. Maybe they will be pumped to try and ruin the Mustangs' perfect season. I just don’t think they have the talent to do so.

SMU was favored by the same number of points last week against Navy, and they came up short, winning by just a TD. They are 4-2 ATS on the season with a simple breakdown of 3-0 at home and 1-2 on the road. I am not expecting Tulane to offer much resistance in this contest. They might be able to move the ball and score some points, but I feel very confident the Mustangs can win each half by at least a touchdown to cover.

Tulane vs SMU College Football Score Prediction

SMU 41, Tulane 17