Week 3 is upon us, and after two straight home games, the Tulane Green Wave head to Norman to face the Oklahoma Sooners.
Tulane kept it close last week against Kansas State, losing 34-27. However, the future looks bright. With significant turnover this year, especially at quarterback, many didn’t know how the Green Wave would fare.
Certainly, the same would be true for their opponents, right?
There are only seven known venomous snakes in Oklahoma, but you’d think there were more with how snake-bitten the Sooners are.
In OU’s first year in the SEC, the injury bug has hit hard. You can see the struggles, especially with the Sooners barely escaping with a victory against Houston by the score of 16-12.
Where does the betting lie? Read further for my Tulane vs Oklahoma prediction.
Tulane Green Wave vs Oklahoma Sooners Odds
| Tulane Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -105 | 46.5 -110o / -112u | +400 |
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -115 | 46.5 -110o / -112u | -525 |
- Spread: Tulane +12.5 · Oklahoma -12.5
- Total: Over/Under 46.5
- Moneyline: Tulane ML +400 · Oklahoma ML -525
- Tulane vs Oklahoma Pick: Tulane +13.5
Tulane Green Wave Football vs Oklahoma Sooners Football
It’s been two weeks, and I’m entirely sold on Darian Mensah. I’m seeing a calm and poised quarterback with an accurate arm who isn’t afraid to run when needed.
Though he coughed up Week 2 by fumbling and letting Kansas State win, it is what it is. I’ll give him the freshman pass.
Regardless, he’s completing passes at a 70% rate, 547 yards and a knack for creating an explosive play. Additionally, he’s helped the Green Wave reach the 17th-best Passing Success Rate.
He also instantly connected with former Oklahoma wide receiver Mario Williams, who has posted two consecutive 120-plus yard receiving games. Williams is Mensah’s favorite target, but Dontae Fleming is also a legitimate option, with an average of 24 yards per catch, and Alex Bauman averages 18.8 YPR.
On the ground, Tulane is trying to ease Makhi Hughes' load. Hughes will still be the bell cow, for good reason.
Hughes is running for 5.3 yards per carry and a couple of touchdowns but also has viable backup options in Shaadie Clayton-Johnson, Jacob Barnes, and Arnold Barnes III.
So, what about the defense?
Well, it seemed to be holding up in the first half of the Kansas State game last week, but then the Green Wave fell apart – letting up 24 points in the second half, one touchdown being Mensah’s fault.
The drop-off made Tulane’s defensive rankings dip dramatically. The Wave rank 109th nationally in Rush Success Rate allowed and 91st in Pass Success Rate allowed.
After the 51-3 win against Temple, Oklahoma seemed poised for a fun year.
Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold looks excellent and is doing his best with whatever is left of his receiving room. Jayden Gibson is out for the year, Jalil Farooq is out for at least six weeks, and Jaquaize Pettaway looks like he’ll miss some time.
However, 2023's leading receiver, Nic Anderson, is getting closer to returning. He practiced this week, and Brent Venables is hopeful we'll see the sophomore suit up.
But that’s not all…
The offensive line is battered and bruised. Geirean Hatchett is gone for the year, and starting center Branson Hickman’s status is up in the air. Venables says he’s hopeful he sees the redshirt senior return. If not, Joshua Bates, who played on one good arm, will take command again.
Venables isn’t helping his case, though. After an exceptional showing in Week 1, he only let his freshman running back, Taylor Tatum, get one carry because of a missed assignment.
Tatum was one of the top running back recruits for 2024, and with how hobbled the Sooners are, they can’t afford to let their talent wither away on the pine.
Defensively, the pass rush needs some work. Gracen Halton is the only one generating real pressure, with 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Additionally, OU ranks 98th nationally in Pass Success Rate allowed but 25th in Rush Success Rate allowed.
Tulane vs Oklahoma: Prediction
Given where Oklahoma is and how bullish I am on Tulane, I want to back Tulane on the moneyline.
Maybe I’ll take a flier on them in a separate bet, but those +425 odds are too steep for me.
On any other day, I’d probably back Oklahoma, but the Sooners are hobbling into this matchup. I expect Tatum to get more reps, but it’s hard to predict, given how Venebles handled him against Houston.
I don’t like it when coaches do that to a young player, especially when it’s a player with the game-breaking ability that Tatum has.
Mensah is a player you want to buy stock in, and you have to think Williams will want to show out against his former program.
Ride the Green Wave because I see them covering in Norman.
Pick: Tulane +13.5 (-107)
Start Time & How to Watch Tulane vs. Oklahoma
| Location: | Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 14 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN2 |
NCAAF Betting Trends: What to Know for Tulane-Oklahoma
- 82% of the tickets generated, along with 87% of the money are backing Tulane to cover.
- 74% of the bets and 93% of the money believe the Under will hit.
- 98% of the tickets pick Oklahoma moneyline.
Oklahoma vs. Tulane Weather
