No. 24 Military is ready to host Tulane Friday night within the AAC Championship Recreation with convention glory on the road. This would be the twenty fourth assembly all-time between the 2 groups and the primary since 2020 when Tulane earned a 38-12 victory at house.
It has been a particular season for Military, which is one among 5 FBS colleges to make it to a convention championship this season in its first 12 months with a convention. At one level, the Black Knights have been 9-0 with their eyes firmly set on the School Soccer Playoff. A giant loss to top-five Notre Dame set them behind a bit, however they nonetheless have an opportunity to win 11 video games for simply the second time in program historical past.
Tulane additionally had School Soccer Playoff hopes earlier within the season. The Inexperienced Wave navigated a tricky nonconference schedule and suffered losses in opposition to Energy 4 opponents Oklahoma and Kansas State — whom they nearly upset — earlier than ripping off eight straight wins, seven of which got here in opposition to AAC opponents. Tulane’s postseason hopes did take a major hit in Week 14 with a 34-24 loss to Memphis. It additionally price the Inexperienced Wave a chance to host the AAC Championship Recreation.
Even with out playoff stakes, there’s nonetheless — clearly — loads on the road. Although it did have a quick stint in Convention USA from 1998-2004, Military has by no means received a convention title. Tulane, in the meantime, is on the precipice of one other 10-win season and might solidify its place because the dominant AAC energy with one other championship.
Tulane vs. Military: Must know
Tulane seeking to proceed fashionable run: Tulane has an opportunity to win 10 video games for a 3rd straight season, as long as it might down Military. That is particularly spectacular contemplating that the Inexperienced Wave had three 10-win seasons in 125 years main as much as their present run. Tulane additionally has an opportunity to win its second AAC title up to now three years and it is in its third straight AAC Championship Recreation look after not successful a convention title this century previous to 2022. Former coach Willie Fritz, now at Houston, deserves a ton of credit score for constructing Tulane into a contemporary Group of 5 energy, however Jon Sumrall has completed job sustaining this system’s excellence and elite stature.
Every day within the highlight for Military: Quarterback Bryson Every day has quietly been one of many high playmakers in faculty soccer this season. In Military’s 29-24 Week 14 win in opposition to UTSA, he accomplished 10 passes for 190 yards and one landing and likewise rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns. It was his eighth consecutive sport with at the very least two touchdowns speeding, which is the longest lively streak within the FBS. He additionally has 9 consecutive video games with 100 yards speeding, and his 25 touchdowns speeding are tied for essentially the most in AAC historical past. His 134.8 yards on the bottom per sport are essentially the most in Military historical past.
Count on a rock battle: Tulane has fielded one of the crucial prolific offenses within the AAC this season with 429.3 yards and 39.1 factors per sport, which ranks sixth within the FBS. Military’s offense offense definitely hasn’t been a slouch. The Black Knights at the moment lead the nation with 312.5 yards speeding per sport they usually’re averaging a strong 32.7 factors per contest. That being mentioned, factors may come at a premium Friday night time. Tulane and Military subject the AAC’s two finest defenses and two of the simplest items in the complete nation. Military leads the AAC whereas permitting simply 15.1 factors per sport. Tulane is second at 18.4 factors per sport. Military leads the AAC in complete protection whereas permitting 295.5 yards per sport. Tulane is second at 304 yards per sport. Military and Tulane are each high 5 within the AAC in cross protection they usually rank first and fourth, respectively, in rush protection.
How you can watch Tulane vs. Military reside
Date: Friday, Dec. 6 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Michie Stadium — West Level, New York
TV: ABC | Dwell stream: fubo (Attempt totally free)
Tulane vs. Military prediction, picks
All sports activities betting odds through DraftKings Sportsbook. Take a look at the most recent DraftKings promo code to get within the sport.
With such a small projected level unfold, the temptation is there to take the over. In any case, Tulane and Military have each proven that they will rating in droves this 12 months. Not solely are the Black Knights and Inexperienced Wave each elite defensive groups, Military could have an incredible probability to shorten the sport. Tulane does not enable a ton of explosive performs on common, which implies that the Black Knights must work for any good points. That fits a triple choice properly. Plus, Military has solely turned the ball over 5 occasions this season (the fewest within the FBS), so it has the aptitude of sustaining drives and bleeding the clock. Much less time equals fewer factors. Decide: Below 45.5
SportsLine’s confirmed pc mannequin is asking for 3 outright upsets throughout faculty soccer’s championship week. Go to SportsLine now to see all of them, plus get unfold picks for each sport from the mannequin that simulates each matchup 10,000 occasions.