2011 Prediction & Game Story
Week 10, Tulane at SMU
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Nov. 5 at SMU 45 … Tulane 24
CFN Analysis: COMING
(AP) DALLAS -- J.J. McDermott threw for three touchdowns and Zach Line rushed for three scores to lead SMU to a 45-24 victory against Tulane on Saturday.
McDermott was 29 of 40 for 322 yards passing for the Mustangs (6-3, 4-2 Conference USA), and Line compiled 143 yards on the ground.
Ryan Griffin threw for 214 yards and two TDs for the Green Wave (2-8, 1-5).
Tulane trailed 31-0 at halftime, but Griffin rallied it to within 38-24 at the end of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, the Green Wave marched to the SMU 25 when Griffin fumbled, and Chris Banjo recovered for the Mustangs.
That was Tulane's last gasp, and SMU clinched the game by driving 75 yards in 12 plays to McDermott's 2-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Wilkerson.
Darius Johnson had seven catches for 135 yards and a TD for the Mustangs.
Tulane (2-7) at SMU (5-3) Nov. 5, 3:00
Here’s The Deal … Now that SMU has fallen, can it get up in time to salvage this once promising season? The Conference USA darling after toppling TCU on Oct. 1 finished the month with consecutive blowout losses at Southern Miss and Tulsa. Their offense malfunctioning and QB J.J. McDermott banged up, the Mustangs are eager to return back to Dallas, where they’ve yet to lose in 2011. Now that the West Division title is off limits, the school has scaled back its goals to simply picking up the sixth win needed to become eligible for the postseason.
The miserable campaign for Tulane continued with last week’s 34-13 loss to East Carolina, its sixth consecutive loss since beating UAB on Sept. 17. Besides the basics, the Green Wave is quickly running out of reasons to get motivated on a week-in, week-out basis. Mike Leach and Rich Rodriguez have popped up as possible successors to deposed former head coach Bob Toledo, who’s been jobless since Oct. 18.
Why Tulane Might Win: Now that the SMU offense is in free-fall, scoring just 10 points in the last two games, the Green Wave won’t exactly have to be prolific in order to get out of town with win No. 3. The core of the attack remains in place, including QB Ryan Griffin and RB Orleans Darkwa. Griffin is a seasoned veteran, with a comfort level with the system and the personnel that surrounds him. Darkwa is a classic workhorse, who can wear down opposing defenses. In his second year on campus, he’s rumbled for 606 yards and nine scores, at least one in each of the last five games.
Why SMU Might Win: As bad as the Mustangs offense has been, a visit from Tulane should be the perfect remedy. For six straight games, the Green Wave has yielded no fewer than 33 points, having a particularly rough time in the red zone. SMU ought to recapture its early season form with the help of RB Zach Line, a tempo-changer who’s run for 946 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He’ll have few problems powering through the defense for 150 yards and at least a couple of scores. While McDermott was wearing a boot earlier in the week, he is expected to be available for this game. Two of the league’s top 5 receivers, Cole Beasley and Darius Johnson, are banking on it.
What To Watch Out For: A middling Green Wave offensive line will have its hands full with the SMU pass rush, specifically DE Taylor Thompson and LB Ja’Gared Davis, who both get off the snap quickly. Thompson is a senior who head coach June Jones believes has a future at the next level. He’s fundamentally sound, with a motor that rarely shuts off. With LB Taylor Reed, the team’s leading tackler, expected to return from a suspension, the Mustangs believe they’ll have the foundation to sidetrack a Tulane offense that’s been sputtering of late.
What Will Happen: Welcome back, SMU. The Mustangs get an ideal draw in Week 10 to find their rhythm and get back on the winning track. The Green Wave has had its head in the offseason for weeks, and it’s shown in the results. SMU will take advantage of a fading opponent, crushing its visitor with a blend of Line’s tough running and the play of an aggressive defense. The healing on the Hilltop will begin long before the regular season ends.
CFN Prediction: SMU 40 … Tulane 10
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Click For Latest Line From ATS: SMU -25 O/U: 52
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