Both teams have suffered key skill position injuries. SMU has lost its best wide receiver, Reggie Roberson, and top running back, TJ McDaniel, for the season. 
Tulane is down its best running back, Tyjae Spears, for the year. The Green Wave also suffered two starting offensive line injuries to left tackle Joey Claybrook and right guard Josh Remetich last week. Both are questionable this week. Claybrook is a key because true freshman quarterback Michael Pratt has made just one start. He didn't produce good numbers in his first start against Houston last week. 
SMU has held its four opponents to an average of 23.3 points. SMU kept Memphis, which ranks eighth in the nation in yards, to 27 points in its last game. 
A key here is Tulane's defense is overdue to play better. The Green Wave start seven seniors and four juniors on defense. They had their entire defensive front four return, including Patrick Johnson and Cameron Sample. Defense was supposed to be a strength. Instead the Green Wave have surrendered 31 points and 395.2 yards a game. Improvement should come.