Tulsa vs. SMU Prediction, Game Preview


Tulsa vs. SMU prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Golden Hurricane and Mustangs.


Tulsa vs. SMU Game Preview

When: Friday, October 7 – 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, OK
TV Broadcast: ESPN2

Scratch out the loss at Ohio State, and Tulsa has been an impressive team so far this season. The Golden Hurricane came away with a big road win two weeks ago in overtime against Fresno State before having a bye week leading up to the SMU matchup. Running back D’Angelo Brewer has been solid, rushing for 524 yards and three touchdowns so far this season.

The Mustangs enter on a two-game losing streak in which the game was never really close: losing 33-3 to TCU and 45-20 to Temple. Quarterback Ben Hicks must cut down on mistakes – he has thrown for nine interceptions already – for the SMU offense to be productive.

What To Know About Tulsa

A lot of people, including Big Ten teams, are going to get demolished by Ohio State, so forgive me if I fail to hold the Golden Hurricane down for that loss. That said, quarterback Dane Evans must be better for a team that relies heavily on the passing game. Evans has thrown six picks to eight touchdowns this season, but is completing almost 60% of his passes.

The defense is middle of the pack right now, giving up 381.3 yards and 30 points per game. They should be able to rattle SMU’s redshirt freshman quarterback in the backfield, though, and could produce some turnovers.

What to Know About SMU

If Hicks can stop turning the ball over, this SMU team will be deadly, as the defense is tied for the nation lead with 12 interceptions. The interceptions by Hicks has almost offset the defensive effort. Defensive end Justin Lawler can wreck an opposing offense by himself, having provided 4.5 sacks for the Mustangs.

On offense, you have to find wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Sutton is averaging 22.36 yards per catch and can create mismatches for the Mustangs against the Tulsa secondary.

Advantages

Offense: Tulsa. The passing game will get better as the season progresses. Evans is a veteran at quarterback.

Defense: SMU. The ability to create turnovers is a defense’s best friend.

Special Teams: Tulsa. SMU is 109th in yards per punt.

Coaching: Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane will be just fine under former Baylor offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery.

Intangibles: Tulsa. At home on a Friday night, coming off of a big win and a bye week, Tulsa will be hyped and rested.

Matchup To Watch

Courtland Sutton vs. Tulsa secondary

Stopping Sutton is almost an impossible task, but keeping him from singlehandedly winning the game is what Tulsa wants to do.

Tulsa vs. SMU Betting Odds

Spread: Tulsa -17
Over/Under: 64.5

Tulsa vs. SMU Prediction

Instead of the MLB playoffs, turn this game on and watch one of the best receivers in the nation in Sutton. Need another reason? Friday night games tend to have some wacky stuff happen. SMU is slowly getting back to being a respectable program, but Tulsa has too much firepower for the Mustangs in this one. The Golden Hurricane win big.

Tulsa vs. SMU Score Prediction: Tulsa 38, SMU 21

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