SMU currently sits one game behind AAC West Division leader Memphis. The Mustangs have had tremendous offensive success this season with quarterback Ben Hicks. The sophomore has thrown at least two touchdowns in all but one contest where he only tossed one in a loss at Houston, bringing his season total to 17. The SMU offense currently ranks seventh in the nation in points scored at 42 points per game. With all the success SMU has found through the air, they still have a productive running game with Xavier Jones and Ke’Mon Freeman, who have combined for almost 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
With SMU tossing the ball all around the field has been their game plan this season, Tulsa has gone with a different approach. The Golden Hurricanes rank inside the top 15 in the nation in rush yards per game with 262. D’Angelo Brewer and Shamari Brooks have been the backs to carry the load for Tulsa, accounting for 16 touchdowns on the ground, and with the addition of sophomore quarterback Chad President’s 400 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, the Mustangs will be prepared for Tulsa’s one-dimensional offense.
Tulsa was not able to continue their winning ways from their 45-17 upset over Houston. The Golden Hurricanes traveled to UCONN and were sent home with a 20-14 loss. Currently sitting in last place in the west division it will be hard to see a repeat of their performance against the Cougars in this one.
Even with the Mustangs successful season thus far, there still awaits two critical matchups against #18 UCF and #24 Memphis to see who is really king of the American Athletic Conference.
SMU has been an excellent team that has fallen under the radar in the college football world, due to playing in a non-power five conference. Their only losses of the season have been to No. 3 TCU and a tough Houston team that was minutes away from defeating No. 24 Memphis last Thursday.
The matchup against Tulsa could serve as a tune-up game for the Mustangs with pivotal conference games coming up in the last half of their schedule. SMU’s offense has been too much for most teams, and Tulsa will find it difficult to match their talent. The Mustangs take this one at home 45-14 over Tulsa, bringing them even closer to Memphis and a shot at the AAC Championship Game.
