Houston vs Tulane Picks & Odds – Green Wave Move From 3.5 to 5-Point Favorite
- The Houston Cougars and Tulane Green Wave square off Thursday Night at 8:20 pm EST on September 19
- The Green Wave have moved from a 3.5 to 5-point favorite
- What’s the best ATS bet for Houston vs Tulane?
The Houston Cougars and Tulane Green Wave kickoff AAC play Thursday Night (8:20 pm EST, September 19) in a battle of two teams going in opposite directions. The Cougars, who were a top-25 team last season, are off to a slow start, while the Green Wave have outscored their opponents by 62 points in their first three games.
Another home game, another dominant win for the Wave! #RollWave pic.twitter.com/W441I6oBfy
— Tulane University Football (@GreenWaveFB) September 15, 2019
The Cougars vs Green Wave odds opened with Tulane as 3.5-point home favorites, but that number is long gone now, and the Green Wave are currently favored by 5.
Houston Cougars vs Tulane Green Wave Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Cougars | +167 | +5 (-112) | Over 58 (-110) |
| Tulane Green Wave | -192 | -5 (-108) | Under 58 (-110) |
All odds taken 09/18/19.
Tulane Will Force King to Beat Them Through the Air
The message in the Green Wave locker room this week is very clear: Contain D’Eriq King on the ground. The dual threat QB has run all over Tulane in each of the past two seasons, racking up 323 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
D’Eriq King takes off up the middle for 64 yards to the Tulane 3
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) November 16, 2018
King has been electric as a runner once again this season, rushing for 196 yards and five scores, but has struggled mightily as a passer.
He’s completed just 54.5% of his throws through three weeks, and is averaging less than 145 yards per game through the air. Houston’s passing attack ranks 120th in the nation, while the Green Wave have allowed more than 200 yards passing in a game just once all season.
Tulane boasts the 17th most efficient defense in all of college football and will do everything they can to make King throw as often as possible.
The Cougars Defense Lacks Bite
While the Green Wave have been stout defensively this season, the same cannot be said for the Cougars. Houston has allowed 97 points this season (53 more than Tulane) and is surrendering nearly 500 yards of offense per contest.
Houston has a coverage breakdown and Jalen Hurts hits CeeDee Lamb for a long touchdown! pic.twitter.com/TtznzzWx74
— Sports Daily (@SportsDGI) September 2, 2019
They rank 91st in defensive efficiency and have been torched through the air and on the ground this season. The Green Wave’s passing attack is nothing to be afraid of, but they’ve been dominant running the ball.
They’re averaging 256 rushing yards per game, and should be able to feast on a Cougars defense that allowed 354 yards on the ground to Oklahoma in Week 1.
Trust the Tulane Move
The line in this game moved in Tulane’s favor for good reason. Houston’s offense at the moment is completely one dimensional and the Green Wave are a far superior defensive team. They allow nearly half as many yards and points per game as the Cougars and have a much better turnover differential.
Sophomore @larrybrooks02 pulled down two interceptions against Missouri State. He is the first Green Wave to do so since November 8, 2014 – when @_therealpnick recorded two INTs against Houston. #StatsSnaps?? pic.twitter.com/DPRChRoMTP
— Tulane University Football (@GreenWaveFB) September 17, 2019
Houston backers will try to counter that they’ve played a more difficult schedule, but don’t forget Tulane held eighth-ranked Auburn to its lowest offensive output of the season. Expect the Green Wave to contain King on the ground and hold serve at home.
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
