Official: SMU vs Tulane Predictions

[ALEX LIFESON]

Let's have them!

[Charleston Pony]

Tulane will be tough on their home filed. I will go with 34-24 Tulane.

[peruna81]

45-24 Ponies

Closer than it needs to be start of 4th quarter. SMU puts it away by running the ball

[JasonB]

Coming into the season, a lot of us on here thought Tulane would be a real breakout team this season.

After a couple of early results, their season looked like maybe a disappointment.

HOWEVER: Wake will finish in the middle of the ACC, and Tulane hung with them; UAB it turns out wasn't a bad loss. Losses against OSU and Cincy aren't anything to cry about either.

I would argue that their schedule has been just about as tough as SMU's (NT the same as UAB, TCU better than Wake, Michigan worse than OSU, and UCF better than Cincy). But their win over Memphis was more impressive than SMU's win over Navy.

Both teams NEED this win to get to a bowl.

Some stats to watch:
- SMU is actually one of the least penalized teams in the country. That is really impressive given the difficult schedule, because you tend to be called for more penalties against athletic players.
- SMU is also one of the leading teams in fumbles recovered. Tulane is one of the leaders in INTs created, while SMU is a leader in least INTs thrown (even though they all go back for TDs).
- Tulane is one of the top teams in the country in kick return defense, while SMU is 4th in kickoff return offense. Tulane is also one of the best kickoff return offense teams, while SMU isn't that good. Quite an interesting matchup there, that might be the difference in a close game.
- Tulane has a very good Red Zone offense and Defense, and is one of the leaders in passing yards per completion.
- Tulane is one of the leaders in sacks, while SMU is one of the leaders in tackles for a loss


A lot of this depends on who is healthy for SMU, but I think the game will come down to the special teams, red zone efficiency and avoiding negative plays. I think Tulane wins special teams and is more efficient in the redzone. 34-24 Tulane.

[JoeKidd]

As everyone has said a lot depends on who we have available on both ides of the ball by Saturday. Their offense doesn't scare me if we are close to healthy on that side of the ball and while special teams may come into play I believe the key is whether we can run the ball effectively and give our defense some time to breathe in between Tulane's offensive possessions. Here's to hoping we can run and control the ball:

SMU-24
Tulane-20

[SMU_Alum11]

Unbiasly, Tulane 31 - SMU 24.

As a fan, SMU 31 - Tulane 28.

[BUS]

What I am looking for is... To have the offense take off like I think it can. The D has improved leaps and bounds this year.

My final score is :
SMU 30
Tulame 21

[White Helmet]

Tulane 38
SMU 17

[BUS]

What I am looking for is... To have the offense take off like I think it can. The D has improved leaps and bounds this year.

My final score is :
SMU 30
Tulame 21

[SmooBoy]

Green Wavers - 28
Smoo - 34

[The Falcon]

We need Ke'Mon Freeman badly for this game (and at full strength.) We have been
missing his ability to pick up first downs and 3rd and short yardage. We need his
power running. It would also help to have both CJ Sanders and Reggie Roberson
back at full strength. Does anyone have info on these 3 players?

If they are available I think we win 30-27.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Tulane 41
Ponies 38

[Nacho]

smu 37
Tulane 36.9

[oilpony]

SMU 31
Tulane 27
Bourbon Street wins overall

[HubbaHubba]

Ponies 65
green wave (what happens after too many raw oysters on Bourbon St) 12

Finally a break out game. Offense starts to click. Running backs run. QBs throw. Time to get uncorked.