The SMU Mustangs (4-0 overall, 1-0 AAC) and Tulane Green Wave (2-2, 0-2) meet up at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans for a 6 p.m. ET kickoff Friday (on ESPN). Below, we analyze the SMU-Tulane college football betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
The Mustangs are the No. 18 team in the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
SMU at Tulane: Betting odds and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: SMU -223 (bet $223 to win $100) | Tulane +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread/ATS: SMU -6.5 (-110) | Tulane +6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 64.5 (O: -115 | U: -106)
SMU at Tulane: Three things to know
- SMU picked up a win and cover against Memphis last time out, winning 30-27. Not only did they move to a perfect 4-0 straight up, but they have covered three straight since failing to hit the number in their opener at Texas State back on Sept. 5.
- The Mustangs have posted 558.8 total yards per game to rank fourth in the nation while posting 339.3 passing yards (11th) and 44.0 PPG (5th). Defensively SMU has been a bit of a surprise, allowing just 23.3 PPG, ranking 23rd in the country, while forcing five turnovers.
- The Green Wave crashed last time out against Houston, falling 49-31. Tulane’s defense has been a huge problem, as they’re allowing 271.3 passing yards per game to check in 55th, and they’re yielding 31.0 PPG to rank 46th in the nation.
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SMU at Tulane: Odds, betting lines and picks
Prediction
SMU 40, Tulane 24
Money line (ML)
SMU (-223) is a tempting play on the money line, but risking more than two times your potential return is still not good gambling over the long haul. AVOID.
Against the spread (ATS)
SMU -6.5 (-110) is a great play at less than a touchdown, and they’re even fine if the line should move to a flat seven. Tulane +6.5 (-110) has failed to cover in three of their four outings, while the Mustangs have hit the number in three in a row. SMU did lose their leading receiver, Reggie Roberson Jr., to a season-ending knee injury last week vs. Memphis. However, QB Shane Buechele has plenty of weapons like Rashee Rice and Danny Gray who can pick up the slack and keep on keeping on. The road team has cashed in 11 of the past 14, and SMU is 5-1 ATS in the past six at Tulane and 4-1 ATS in the previous five meetings.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 64.5 (-106) is a big number, and SMU has actually been a little more defensive-minded than usual. They have actually hit the Under in three of their past four, including the past two outings. Tulane cannot stop anyone, but this number is still a tad bit too high given the fact the Mustangs lost Roberson and top backup RB T.J. McDaniel (ankle) to injuries last week.
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