SMU @ Tulsa preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 24, 2012 ) Tulsa 27, Southern Methodist 35

SMU travels to Tulsa for an American Athletic Conference matchup Saturday between teams with long losing streaks. The Mustangs have yet to win a game this season and have dropped nine in a row, and the Hurricanes have lost seven straight since beating Tulane 38-31 in double overtime to start the year. Tulsa lost 40-20 at Memphis last week, while SMU did not play.

The outcome will likely come down to quarterback play with sophomore Dane Evans leading Tulsa, which ranks No. 18 in the nation in passing offense. Evans has thrown for 2,290 yards and is the 20th player in school history to reach 2,000 yards in a season. SMU has struggled to find a consistent quarterback and interim coach Tom Mason said Saturday’s starter will be a game-time decision.

TV: Noon ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Tulsa -12.5

ABOUT SMU (0-7, 0-3 AAC): The Mustangs started the season tied for third in the nation for quarterbacks with the least game experience (five games played, no starts). Garrett Krstich, a walk-on who began the season as the fourth-string quarterback, has started the past four games but Mason told the Dallas Morning News that he’s also considering giving backup Matt Davis his first start this week. Darius Joseph has 27 catches for 191 yards and two of the team’s three touchdown receptions.

ABOUT TULSA (1-7, 1-3): Sophomore Keevan Lucas leads the AAC in receiving yards (116.1) and receptions (9.4) per game on 75 catches for 929 yards and eight touchdowns. Evans has completed 55.6 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns, but has also thrown nine interceptions. Zack Langer has rushed for 479 yards and three touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The schedule has contributed to SMU’s winless season with the Mustangs playing three teams ranked in the Top 25 when they met - Baylor (Aug. 31), Texas A&M (Sept. 20) and East Carolina (Oct. 4).

2. Lucas needs 71 yards to become Tulsa’s first receiver since 2009 to reach 1,000 yards in a season.

3. SMU has been unable to muster much offense this season, having been shut out twice and scoring more than 10 points once - a 45-24 loss to East Carolina.

PREDICTION: Tulsa 45 SMU 10