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[indianmustang]

SMU (2-2) at Tulane (1-2) 7:30 PM EST CSTV Saturday September 30th
Why to watch: When SMU visits Tulane Saturday, it’ll be more than just a football game, as college football returns to the Crescent City 13 months after Hurricane Katrina made the Superdome uninhabitable. The never-ending road trip finally ends for the Green Wave, who’ll forever be linked to a Mustang team that hosted them after last August’s catastrophe. When Tulane’s been good this year, it’s been good. When it’s been bad, it’s been real bad. Sandwiched between six-touchdown losses to Houston and LSU was an upset of Mississippi State that displayed the potential of the Green Wave offense. In two weeks, SMU has done a complete 180, scoring 100 points in routs of Sam Houston State and Arkansas State. A third straight win would shift the Mustangs back on course for what was supposed to be a breakthrough season.
Why SMU might win: Okay, the competition has certainly been a factor; however, it’s hard not to be impressed by the progress the offense has made after scoring just nine points in weeks one and two. Justin Willis is playing out of his mind over the last two games, throwing nine touchdown passes and only ten incompletions, while fellow freshman James Mapps bolstered the running game with 132 yards on 14 carries last Saturday. Considering Tulane’s inability to stop the run or the pass, there’s reason to believe Willis & Co. will remain warm.
Why Tulane might win: Did you see the Saints game Monday night? Tulane won’t generate the same electricity, however, it will get an uncommonly generous lift from a jacked up home crowd. The Mustang secondary is beatable, something Lester Ricard, or Scott Elliott if Ricard’s still woozy from his LSU beating, will recognize and exploit early and often Saturday night.
Who to watch: Where in the world has Tulane’s Preston Brown been? Last year’s leading receiver and long-ball threat has just seven catches for 41 yards, or less than six yards a grab. The Green Wave needs Brown to stretch the Mustang secondary in order for big back Matt Forte to have a little more running room.
What will happen: In a game with this much meaning and emotion, records and conventional wisdom are helpless. Tulane is not a very good football team, but it’ll portray one for at least one evening. For the second time in a week, New Orleans won’t let one of its own fail.
CFN Prediction: Tulane 31 ... SMU 29 ... Line: SMU -2.5
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Studio 60 on the Sunset