The SMU Mustangs (7-1, 4-1 AAC) and Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-1, 3-0) meet in Tulsa for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. Below, we analyze the SMU-Tulsa college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Mustangs are No. 19 in the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. The Golden Hurricane received 11 points, 12 spots outside of the Top 25.
SMU at Tulsa: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: SMU +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Tulsa -143 (bet $143 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: SMU +3 (-115) | Tulsa -3 (-106)
- Over/Under: 63.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
SMU at Tulsa: Three things to know
- The Mustangs have bounced back nicely after a 42-13 thumping from Cincinnati on Oct. 24, blasting Navy and Temple for a pair of wins and covers. Their average margin of victory in those two games is 19.0 PPG, and the Over cashed in each with 49.0 PPG scored on offense.
- SMU is averaging 526.3 total yards per game, ranking ninth in the country, while posting 333.3 passing yards per outing to check-in 13th. Even with that 13-point showing vs. Cincinnati, the Mustangs have tossed up 40.5 PPG to rank 15th overall in the nation.
- Tulsa has flown a little under the radar in the AAC. They lost 16-7 to Oklahoma State in the opener in a non-conference tilt, but have posted 34 or more points in each of their three games against AAC foes, including a 34-26 win at UCF on Oct. 3. They’re 3-1 ATS in four outings, failing to cover last time out against East Carolina.
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SMU at Tulsa: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
SMU 45, Tulsa 38
Money line (ML)
SMU (+120) is a strong value on the road against Tulsa (-143), who probably should have lost to East Carolina outright on Oct. 30. Yes, the Mustangs were outmatched against the Bearcats, but they also have nice wins against Memphis at home and road victories against Temple and Tulane. These Mustangs are battle-tested and probably should be favored here.
Against the spread (ATS)
SMU +3 (-115) is the ranked team, but they’re catching points from a Tulsa -3 (-106) side which was aided by some questionable calls against East Carolina its last time out. If that result goes a different way, perhaps the Mustangs are favored. Take advantage of the value here, as SMU should be giving points, not catching them.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 63.5 (-110) is the best value here, and perhaps on the entire Saturday college football board. SMU can post points at a dizzying pace, and Tulsa is averaging 36.7 PPG in three AAC contests, too. The scoreboard operator at Skelly Field better be limbering up those fingers, because he/she will be busy.
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