North Texas vs. Tulane: AAC Championship Prediction and Key Players

The AAC Championship game kicks off Friday night in New Orleans. The No. 24 Tulane Green Wave will host the North Texas Mean Green. Surprisingly, the visiting and unranked Mean Green are favored to win. This marks a rare instance where a ranked team is an underdog on its home field.

The betting line reflects immense confidence in North Texas’s explosive offense. According to odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, the Mean Green are 2.5-point favorites. The game’s total is set at a high 66.5 points, signaling expectations for a shootout.

Quarterback Duel Highlights High-Stakes Conference Final

North Texas’s advantage starts with quarterback play. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker leads the entire FBS with 3,835 passing yards this season. His accuracy is exceptional, completing over 70 percent of his throws.

Mestemaker is in scorching form entering the championship. He has thrown for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns in his last three games. Crucially, he did not throw an interception during that dominant stretch.

Tulane counters with its own dynamic playmaker. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff is a true dual-threat for the Green Wave. He has accounted for 28 total touchdowns, passing for 14 and rushing for 14 more.

Retzlaff’s legs may be his best weapon against North Texas. He leads Tulane in rushing with 561 yards. His mobility will be vital against the AAC’s top-ranked pass defense.

Betting Trends and Championship Game Prediction

The spread is not an anomaly when reviewing the season trends. North Texas has been one of the nation’s most reliable teams against the spread. They have covered the spread in 10 of their 12 games this season.

Their road performance strengthens the case for the favorite. North Texas boasts a 4-1 record against the spread in away games. Their only failure against a ranked team involved a strong rushing opponent, a weakness Tulane does not share.

Conversely, Tulane has struggled to cover spreads recently. The Green Wave are just 6-6 against the spread overall. They have failed to cover in three consecutive home games.

The combination of a red-hot quarterback and strong betting trends makes North Texas the pick. Expect the Mean Green to win and cover the 2.5-point spread in the AAC title game.

A quick knowledge drop for you:

Who is favored to win the AAC Championship?

Despite being unranked and on the road, the North Texas Mean Green are favored by 2.5 points. Oddsmakers favor their top-ranked scoring offense over No. 24 Tulane’s home-field advantage.

Why is North Texas favored over a ranked Tulane?

The betting line heavily weighs North Texas’s explosive passing attack and consistent performance against the spread. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker’s elite production makes them a tough matchup for any defense.

What is the over/under for the game?

The total points line is set at 66.5. This high number indicates expectations for a high-scoring offensive battle between two potent quarterbacks.

How has North Texas performed against the spread?

Extremely well. The Mean Green have covered the point spread in 10 of their 12 games this season. They are also 4-1 against the spread in road games.

Where is the AAC Championship game being played?

The game is scheduled for Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. This gives the No. 24 Tulane Green Wave home-field advantage for the conference title match.