NCAAF · 2 years ago

How SMU Can Beat Tulane: 5 Keys To Victory

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Force Turnovers
Tulane and Southern Methodist have been really good in turnover margin this season. Both schools are in the top 30 nationally. SMU will be playing with a backup quarterback, but they have to find a way to win the turnover battle and that means forcing fumbles or making Michael Pratt make mistakes.
1. Pressure Michael Pratt
Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt has thrown for 21 touchdowns with only four interceptions and he is completing more than 66 percent of his passes. He makes the Tulane offense tick and SMU needs to harass him to stall the Green Wave. The Mustangs get sacks on nearly 10% of dropbacks, good for seventh in the country.
2. Be Aggressive
Southern Methodist has not been in this spot in a long time. The Mustangs and head coach Rhett Lashlee are playing in the biggest game the school has had in more than a decade with a conference title on the line right before they jump to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Lashlee and the Mustangs cannot lose the edge that has made them successful, they have to be the aggressors.
3. Rev Up the Attack
SMU is averaging 39.4 points per game this season. That places them behind only LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and Liberty nationally in points per game. Tulane is giving up only 18.3 points per game. They have a good defense but it's not elite. SMU has to have a terrific day on offense utilizing the balance they have found throughout the season. If they can avoid becoming one-dimensional, they should find success.
4. Filling in For Preston Stone
Of course, the offense will have to find a way to produce without starting quarterback Preston Stone. The sophomore is out for the season after a nasty leg injury and Kevin Jennings has to now step up. Jennings is 33 of 42 for 403 yards in spot duty over the past two seasons. Jennings will have to play the best football of his young career to help the Mustangs to a win.
5. Force Turnovers
Tulane and Southern Methodist have been really good in turnover margin this season. Both schools are in the top 30 nationally. SMU will be playing with a backup quarterback, but they have to find a way to win the turnover battle and that means forcing fumbles or making Michael Pratt make mistakes.
1. Pressure Michael Pratt
Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt has thrown for 21 touchdowns with only four interceptions and he is completing more than 66 percent of his passes. He makes the Tulane offense tick and SMU needs to harass him to stall the Green Wave. The Mustangs get sacks on nearly 10% of dropbacks, good for seventh in the country.

How SMU Can Beat Tulane: 5 Keys To Victory

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