The SMU football team (6-3, 4-2) are bowl-eligible again and barring a complete meltdown, the Mustangs should be going to their third straight bowl game. On Homecoming, the Mustangs ripped the Tulane Green Wave, 45-24, as the offense finally roared back to life after being a non-factor in the previous two games.

Quarterback J.J. McDermott looked sharp for the first time in three games. He completed 29 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions. McDermott's top receiver was junior Darius Johnson, who caught seven passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. In all, four different receivers had at least six catches and 40 receiving yards for the Mustangs.

On the other hand, running back Zach Line has been the model of consistency for the Mustangs in 2011 and he was no different on Saturday. Line smashed the Tulane defense with 25 carries for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Line is ranked No. 8 in the country with an average of 121.0 rushing yards per game. With his stellar game against Tulane, he is over 1,000 yards rushing on the season. Line is also tied for fifth with 17 rushing touchdowns.

The SMU defense harassed the Tulane offense all game. Quarterback Ryan Griffin was sacked four times for 28 yards while the Green Wave's running game was stuffed for just 80 total yards on 25 carries. Tulane was much more successful through the air, as Griffin completed 20 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns.

SMU's next game will be against Navy on Saturday, November 12 at 2:30 p.m. After that, the Mustangs play two in-state rivals, Houston and Rice, consecutively.

All photos courtesy of Rob Graham