SMU at Tulsa – Preview and Prediction
TULSA 17 SMU (64)
Implied Projected Score: Tulsa 40.5 SMU 23.5
MEGALOCKS LINE – Tulsa 16.5
The Game
We have to be reasonable. SMU was 3-21 the past two seasons (!) and it is going to take a bit of time to get the ball rolling in the right direction. Losing QB Matt Davis was not good. Tulsa is 3-1 and fresh off a bye week and very much alive in the C-USA West race. Jusssssst a tiny game with Houston to worry about next week.
The Match-Up
Tulsa offense vs SMU defense
The Golden Hurricane have scored 45+ points in 3/4 games. The miss ? Ohio St. QB Dane Evans has thrown too many interceptions for our liking but the offense is moving the ball and RB D’Angelo Brewer is well on his way to a 1,000 yard season. SMU has the #36 ranked pass efficiency defense (!!) despite playing Baylor and TCU so maybe Tulsa has s bit more trouble than we think. In any event, the SMU secondary is going to be busy because Tulsa boasts 3 WRs with over 230 yards receiving in only four games.
SMU offense vs Tulsa defense
SMU’s QB play has been too inefficient to win games. Sure, they have managed to beat North Texas and Liberty, but they are ranked #119 in passing efficiency (!) and that is not going to get it done when you play the better teams on the schedule. SMU is going to have to score points to keep up with Tulsa and we do not see that happening. QB Ben Hicks has 4 TD vs 9 INT, and even though WR Courtland Sutton is amazing, the offense in general is going to struggle to keep up with the Golden Hurricane. Skeptics can point to the fact that Tulsa gave up 39 points per game in 2014 and 2015.
MEGA-MAZEMENT !
Tulsa should be able to dispose of SMU but they have the biggest game (?) on the schedule next week when they visit Houston….The over is 17-5 L22 Tulsa home games….The dog is 9-2 ATS L11 in the series.
Summary
It is hard to imagine SMU sticking around in this game BUT do not forget that this Tulsa team was down at one point 31-0 (!!!) to Fresno St before roaring back. SMU may not score enough to help the total so we are leery of this game.
Conclusion
Official play: None.
Lean: None.