Red Flags: 5 college football teams on upset alert in Week 13
- Oklahoma's Big 12 hopes could go down in flames
- The Group of 5 race for a NY6 could get shaken up big time
- 3 Playoff contenders could be in danger in Rivalry Week
3. Tulane Green Wave
Opponent: UTSA | Time: Friday, Nov. 24, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC) | Spread: TUL -3.5
For the first time in more than a month, we finally saw the Tulane Green Wave win a game by more than one possession. Sure, it came against an FAU team that has been reeling in the second half of the regular season, but considering that Willie Fritz's team had played against lowly Tulsa and East Carolina in previous weeks and won by a combined five points, winning 24-8 over the Owls was much needed.
But now comes gut-check time. While UTSA-Tulane isn't some storied rivalry, this is a game with a trip to the AAC Championship Game possibly hanging in the balance of this contest. Subsequently, both teams have a ton to play for -- and the Roadrunners have been looking like a far better team throughout November.
Early in the season, UTSA quarterback Frank Harris was banged up and the offense suffered. When he returned, it took the Roadrunners a bit to get their feet under them, which resulted in a 1-3 start with only a 20-13 win over Texas State in their favor. Since then, though, they've gotten this thing humming again under Jeff Traylor, winning seven straight games, scoring at least 34 points in each game and winning all but one by double digits.
Now they come into this game and, even on the road, presenting an awful matchup for Tulane. The Green Wave have been most effective with Michael Pratt throwing the football and not so much in the ground game, but UTSA is far better defending the pass than the run. Conversely, Tulane's pass defense ranks 92nd in EPA per dropback whiel the Roadrunners are a Top 40 team offensively in EPA per dropback.
Put simply, the Roadrunners are just playing better football and are built to take down Tulane. Meep meep, y'all.