The Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the SMU Mustangs meet Saturday in college football action from Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Tulsa is sitting at 3-4 overall this year and coming off a bye week. The Hurricane last appeared in a blowout loss to Rice. As for SMU, they’re 5-2 on the season and coming off a Friday victory. The Mustangs dominated Temple on the road in their last game. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa started out the year with a nice 42-7 win over AR-Pine Bluff, but then ran into a buzzsaw over their next two games. Those were both losses, 43-10 to Washington and 66-17 versus Oklahoma. Tulsa got back on track with wins over Northern Illinois 22-14 and Temple 48-26 in the next pair, but since has lost to Florida Atlantic 20-17 and Rice 42-10.
In the blowout loss to Rice back on October 19, the Hurricane were down 21-10 at the break and gave up points in every quarter. QB Cardell Williams finished with 101 yards and a score on just seven completions. Braylon Braxton added 89 rush yards on 12 carries, while Kamdyn Benjamin caught three balls for 48 yards and a score.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Team Facts
- Tulsa has lost each of its last eight October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Tulsa has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Tulsa has lost the first half in five of its last six road games against conference opponents.
- Each of Tulsa’s last four October games as a road underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
SMU Mustangs
Over on the Mustangs’ side, they’re yet to play a close finish so far this year—win or loss. SMU’s two blemishes have come 28-11 to Oklahoma and 34-17 versus TCU. Otherwise it’s been five sizable wins over LA Tech 38-14, Prairie View 69-0, Charlotte 34-16, East Carolina 31-10 and Temple 55-0.
Matched up against Temple last Friday, the Mustangs posted double-digit points in every quarter along the way to the win. QB Preston Stone bagged 300 yards with a pair of scores, and Jaylan Knighton paced the rush with 64 yards and a TD of his own. Romello Brinson was tops in receiving with 87 yards off five catches.
SMU Mustangs Team Facts
- The favorite has won each of SMU’s last nine games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
- SMU has covered the spread in each of its last four games in October.
- SMU has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against conference opponents.
- SMU has won the first half in 12 of its last 15 home games against conference opponents.
- Five of SMU’s last six October home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- SMU are one of only six FBS teams undefeated in home games this season ([z-0]).
- SMU rank 9th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (14.6).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ve got to stay with SMU in this one. The Mustangs are rolling along very well right now and riding high after the blowout road win versus Temple. SMU managed a whopping 563 yards (358 passing) in that one, along with 36 first downs and a nice 10-of-15 run on third-down tries. The Mustangs held Temple to 131 yards (107 passing) on the other side and didn’t allow a third- or fourth-down conversion all game (0-for-14). That makes 31 or more points in three straight, and five of seven (all wins) on the season.
As for Tulsa, it’s tough to think they’ll hang around in this matchup (even with the extra week of prep) after an ugly loss versus Rice. The Hurricane posted three turnovers and allowed 512 yards in that one. They’ve now scored a tepid 27 points in the last two games combined. In all likelihood that won’t be enough to keep up here.