Tulane @ SMU preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2016 ) Southern Methodist 35, Tulane 31

Tulane can become bowl eligible for the first time since 2013 if it can win at SMU on Saturday. The Green Wave have won back-to-back close games while SMU has struggled defensively in three straight losses.

The Mustangs have allowed 140 points and 1,838 yards of offense - including 559 rushing yards to Navy - during its losing streak and must try to solve Tulane's triple option. Senior running back Dontrell Hilliard leads the Green Wave's ground attack and could become the fourth player with 3,000 career rushing yards. Tulane will have its hands full with a SMU offense that has set a program record with 441 points and has tallied 400-plus yards in 14 straight games. The teams have each lost 10 turnovers but the Mustangs have forced 22.

TV: Noon ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: SMU -8.

ABOUT TULANE (5-6, 3-4 American Athletic): Hilliard (1,049 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) needs 48 yards to pass Orleans Darkwa for fourth place on the school's career rushing list and needs 94 yards to hit 3,000. Hilliard's 29 career rushing touchdowns rank fifth but third place (Bill Banker, 31) is within reach. Quarterback Jonathan Banks adds 544 rushing yards and seven scores and is coming off a career-high 251 passing yards to give him 1,483 yards for the season.

ABOUT SMU (6-5, 3-4): Receivers Trey Quinn (100 catches for 1,052 yards) and Courtland Sutton (56, 910) have a combined 22 touchdown catches to lead the Mustangs' high-scoring offense. Sophomore running back Xavier Jones (nine touchdowns) needs 19 rushing yards to become the Mustang's 18th 1,000-yard rusher. Sophomore safety Mikial Onu leads SMU with 83 tackles, while junior cornerback Jordan Wyatt has four of the team's 12 interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. SMU had four straight games decided by seven points or fewer before losing to Memphis last week, while Tulane has had six such games this season.

2. Tulane has seven scoring plays more than 58 yards, including a pair of 70-yard touchdown runs.

3. Mustangs senior DE Justin Lawler (69 tackles, AAC-best 8.5 sacks) has three blocked kicks - more than 116 FBS teams.

PREDICTION: SMU 42, Tulane 38