The SMU Mustangs (-2.5) will clash with their in-conference rival Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. This afternoon game is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET and CBS Sports Network has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: SMU Mustangs at Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa is the home underdog in this AAC matchup and is currently getting 2.5 points. The Mustangs are also receiving -140 moneyline odds while the Golden Hurricane are +120. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 58.5 points. It appears that there will likely be some good live betting opportunities while this showdown is taking place.
The line opened at 2 while the total hasn’t moved after it was initially established at 58.5.
The surprising Mustangs have gained 8.0 units so far in 2018 and are 5-6 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 5-6.
The disappointing Golden Hurricane have lost 6.2 units this season. The team is 4-7 ATS and has an O/U record of 3-7.
The Mustangs are 5-6 straight up (SU), including 4-3 SU against conference opponents. The Golden Hurricane are 2-9 SU overall and 1-6 SU in conference play.
The Mustangs are reeling from a 28-18 loss to Memphis last week in which Ben Hicks completed just 29 passes on 55 attempts for 344 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Mustangs managed a total of 25 rushing yards as a team in the loss.
One week ago, Navy knocked off this Tulsa crew by a score of 37-29. Seth Boomer completed 19-of-28 passes for 206 yards and one interception. Shamari Brooks (81 rushing yards on 22 attempts) and Corey Taylor II (45 yards on 15 carries, three TDs) spearheaded the running game as Keylon Stokes (six receptions, 56 yards) and Jarion Anderson (five catches, 65 yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
SMU has run the ball on 46.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Tulsa has an overall rush percentage of 64.8 percent. The Mustangs have run for 120.5 yards/game (including 119.4 per game versus American Athletic Conference opponents) and have 16 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Golden Hurricane are logging 206.2 rush yards per game (215.4 in conference) and have 21 total rushing TDs.
The Mustangs offensive scheme has averaged 267.4 yards through the air overall (280.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has 27 passing scores so far. The Golden Hurricane have put up 168.5 pass yards per game (171 in the AAC) and have 12 total pass TDs.
Defensively, SMU has allowed opponents to run for an average of 202.3 yards and throw for 229.5 yards per game. The Tulsa defense has allowed 161.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 248.7 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Mustangs have given up an ANY/A of 6.24 to opposing QBs, while the Golden Hurricane are yielding an ANY/A of 5.92.
Offensively, Hicks is up to 1,987 passing yards on the year, and has completed 55 percent of his 297 attempts with 17 passing scores and only five interceptions. He has a 6.10 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.51 over the last two outings.
James Proche, Reggie Roberson, Jr. and Ke’Mon Freeman have collectively accounted for 571 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns over the last two outings.
In the other huddle, Seth Boomer has managed to complete 67-of-145 passes for 987 yards, seven TDs and three INTs. Boomer’s ANY/A stands at 5.51 for the year and 4.85 over his past two outings.
We expect the Golden Hurricane to control tempo by getting the ball into the hands of their running backs. Along with WR Keylon Stokes (393 receiving yards, two receiving TDs this season), Corey Taylor II (676 rush yards, eight rush TDs) and Shamari Brooks (855 rush yards, six rush TDs) have really been focal points in the Tulsa offense.
These two squads met a year ago with the final outcome being a 38-34 win for SMU.
SMU Mustangs vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane Bedding Prediction
SU Winner: Tulsa, ATS Winner: Tulsa, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The Tulsa offense has lost 14 fumbles this season while SMU has lost seven.
- The SMU defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 23 times this season. Tulsa has produced just nine sacks.
- SMU has rushed for 5.1 yards per attempt over its past three games and 5.2 over its last two.
- Tulsa has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.2 over its last two.
- Over its last three contests, Tulsa is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for SMU’s previous game was set at 75. The under cashed in the team’s 28-18 loss to Memphis.
- In its last three matchups, SMU is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Tulsa’s last match was 51. The over cashed in that 37-29 loss to Navy.
- Tulsa has lost 10 of its last 11 games SU, with a 30-point victory over Connecticut on November 3rd accounting for the only win over that stretch.
