AAC Championship: SMU at Tulane odds, picks and predictions
The SMU Mustangs (10-2, 8-0 AAC) take on the No. 18 Tulane Green Wave (11-1, 8-0) on Saturday in the AAC Championship at Yulman Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the SMU vs. Tulane odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Mustangs cruised to a 59-14 victory over Navy in Week 13, covering as 18.5-point home favorites, and the Over of 46 easily hit. While SMU has won 8 straight games, some of the wind was taken out of its sails as QB Preston Stone suffered an injury that will sideline him for Saturday's contest.
The Green Wave covered as 3.5-point home favorites and the Under of 52 connected in their 29-16 win against UTSA in Week 13. After losing to No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 2, Tulane strung together 10 consecutive wins to end the season. Tulane is the No. 18 ranked team in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
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SMU at Tulane odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:26 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): SMU +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Tulane -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): SMU +3.5 (-110) | Tulane -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
SMU at Tulane picks and predictions
Prediction
Tulane 24, SMU 20
Moneyline
I'll go ahead and PASS on the moneyline in this game as SMU is capable of winning this game outright. At the same time, backing Tulane at -175 odds isn't worth the risk.
Against the spread
TULANE -3.5 (-110) is the play as the Green Wave boast a formidable defense that can make things difficult on a backup quarterback. SMU's Kevin Jennings has thrown only 46 passes in his 2 years in college.
The Mustangs may need to lean on their ground game more, and the Green Wave have a daunting run defense. Tulane surrendered only 86 rushing yards per game (5th-fewest in the nation) and 2.95 yards per attempt (4th-fewest).
Over/Under
UNDER 46.5 (-105) is the lean in this AAC showdown as both teams allow 18.3 points per game or fewer. While SMU averaged 41.8 points per game (4th-most) with Stone operating the offense, it remains to be seen what the offense looks like with Jennings starting.
Tulane is 2-10 to the Over this season, including a 1-6 record to the Over at home.
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