I love Tulane here tonight as they are a desperate team playing a UTEP team that has not looked very good since their schedule has started to pick up.
Let's start by saying that Tulane has faced a schedule featuring Tulsa, Army, Rutgers, Houston and Miss all teams likely going bowling and two non -conference teams that are much more talented in Rutgers and Miss. Utep on the other hand played some of the worst teams in the nation New Mexico State, New Mexico and Memphis all three have 116, 115, and 117 total offenses it's no wonder UTEP's defense is ranked 67th as they have faced an average opponent ranked 82nd. The defenses they have seen have been even worse if you can beleive that. UAB last week shut this team down and you were along for the ride. Tulane now has arguably an even better defense statistically than UAB.
UTEP facing an average 99th ranked defense with UAB the best thus far at 71. Tulane comes in ranked 65th and 27th against the pass which is the best combo UTEP has seen. Tulane has been tested too with three teams having top 54 offensive programs and then Army who has 8th ranked rushing attack. Their 94th run defense is not that bad as they have faced 4 top 20 running teams. Again I said it before Tulane desperate on the road and the public is all over UTEP -10.5 at 72%, but the line is dropping to 9.5 in some places. I'm liking my chances and Ryan Griffin will have a big day as he will start just one week after a career high 412 yards passing against Tulsa. Trevor Vittatoe looks to be upgraded as probably for UTEP but I still like Tulane as this is the best pass defense they have faced all year long since Houston ranked 39th.
Both these teams have played Houston on the road actually. Houston beat both, but they only beat Tulane by 19 and had just +18yards of total offense. Against UTEP they were +216 yards and won by 30.
