In a highly anticipated matchup with major conference championship implications, the UTSA Roadrunners are prepared to take on the Tulane Green Wave. Both teams find themselves in the hunt for the AAC title for the second consecutive year, making this game a crucial stepping stone towards their championship aspirations.

Tulane, the defending AAC champions, have had a somewhat uneven season, despite their impressive 10-1 record. The Green Wave have struggled to cover the spread, going just 4-7 against the betting line and failing to cover against weaker conference opponents. Their offense, led by standout quarterback Michael Pratt, has displayed talent in the receiving corps, but injuries to top targets Lawrence Keys and Jha'Quan Jackson have hindered their performance.

An additional challenge for Tulane lies in their lackluster rushing attack, as they rank 107th in Rushing Success Rate and 109th in explosiveness on the ground. The absence of the explosive Tyjae Spears, a key contributor in last year's title run, has proven difficult to replace.

Defensively, Tulane has struggled to defend the pass, allowing opponents to complete 66% of their passes. This has become a significant concern while facing UTSA's seasoned quarterback, Frank Harris, who leads an offense ranked 28th in the nation in Passing Success Rate.

UTSA's defense, on the other hand, has excelled in stopping the pass, posing a major challenge to Pratt and the Green Wave. The Roadrunners' defense boasts exceptional talent, with standout safety Rashad Wisdom recognized among the country's best in tackling. Additionally, cornerback Kam Alexander ranks fifth in the nation in passes defensed, further solidifying the Roadrunners' ability to disrupt Tulane's passing game.

Analyzing the performances against common opponents, UTSA has shown stronger results, defeating them all by larger margins compared to Tulane. Furthermore, the Roadrunners have won an impressive 16 consecutive conference games, a testament to their dominance within the conference.

The offensive firepower of UTSA, led by the experienced Harris, has been on full display in recent weeks. Over the last four games, the Roadrunners have excelled in Passing Down Success Rate, Predicted Points Added, offensive explosiveness, and Points per Opportunity, ranking among the top five in these categories within the Group of Five. In AAC play, UTSA has averaged an impressive 41 points per game.

Facing a Tulane secondary that ranks 80th in PFF coverage grade and 86th in Pass Success Rate, the Roadrunners' passing attack is expected to exploit the Green Wave's vulnerabilities. With Tulane surrendering an average of 25 points per game against stronger conference offenses, Michael Pratt and the Green Wave might find themselves engaged in a high-scoring shootout.

In what promises to be one of the weekend's most thrilling matchups, both teams are expected to put up points. However, UTSA's red-hot offense, combined with Tulane's defensive struggles, sets the stage for the Roadrunners to surpass their team total and potentially claim victory.

As college football enthusiasts eagerly await Friday's slate of games, there is no doubt that the clash between Texas Tech and Texas will be a highlight for fans and bettors alike.