Houston vs. Tulane prediction, odds, line: 2022 Week 5 college football picks, best bets from proven model

Houston Cougars and Tulane Green Wave play their American Athletic Conference opener on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Houston is 2.5-point favorites. The over-under for total points scored is 54. 5. SportsLine's college football prediction model simulates every FBS college game 10,000 times and has returned a huge profit for its players.

Houston and Tulane are playing each other in the Week 5 college football game. Houston is favored by 2.5 points. Tulana is a top-ranked passing defense.

Houston and Tulane are playing each other in the Week 5 college football game. Houston is favored by 2.5 points. The Cougars lead the nation in net punting (46.3 yards per game) and the Green Wave lead FBS in passing defense (102. 5 yards).

Houston's defense has shown an elite ability of getting to the quarterback. Last season against Tulane the Cougars had eight sacks as a team. The team is also the best punting team in the country, leading the FBS in net punter (46.3 yards).

Tulane has been stingy on defense this season. The Green Wave lead the country in passing defense (102.5 yards per game) and rank fourth in total defense. Tulane already has pulled off a big road upset this year, beating Kansas State 17-10 in Manhattan, Kan.

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total and has an against-the-spread pick that cashes in almost 60% of simulations.