(Associated Press)

On Saturday the Mustangs will take on the Tulane Green Wave at Gerald Ford Stadium for Southern Methodist University’s homecoming weekend.

SMU will look to bounce back with a win after two consecutive losses to fellow C-USA opponents Southern Miss and Tulsa.

SMU (5-3, 3-2 C-USA), has fallen into third place in C-USA West behind Houston and Tulsa, both of which are still undefeated in conference play.

Tulane is currently last in C-USA with only one in-conference win against UAB.

In the past two games SMU has been outscored 65 to 10 and has failed to gain any momentum coming into this week’s matchup. SMU’s feared run-and-shoot offense has not produced more than 180 of passing offense in their last two matchups and has turned the ball over seven times.

J.J. McDermott has struggled in the last two games, completing no more than half of his passes in both contests and has thrown for six consecutive interceptions with no touchdowns.

Even though SMU’s offense suffers a losing streak, Zach Line has been the conference’s leading rusher. Zach rushed for 118 yards against Tulane and scored SMU’s only touchdown, which came on a 17-yard rush.

Tulane (2-7, 1-4 C-USA) comes into Saturday with struggles of their own riding a six game losing streak.

Tulane’s defense has been porous all year, allowing teams such as UTEP, who ran for 266 yards against the Green Wave, to move the ball with ease.

Tulane’s defense gives up an average of 35 points a game while the Mustangs give up 23.

Tulane’s quarterback Ryan Griffin leads his team into the game throwing for 1886 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Running back Orleans Darkwa has also played well for Tulane, rushing nine touchdowns this season.

His best performance came against Army when he rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown.

The team on Sunday that is able to come out and score early (and often) will likely win Saturday’s match up.

SMU was 5-0 when they out scored opponents in the first quarter, and all three of their losses have been a result of poor offensive play to start the game.

Zach Line, who will likely cross the 1,000-yard rushing mark against Tulane, is going to have to have a great day with the current state of the Mustang’s passing game.

The Mustang defense is also going to have to buckle down and return to the way they were playing in late September, when they did not give up a point for two consecutive games, if they want to come away with a win.