AAC Championship Game: Tulane vs. Army Picks & Predictions

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship Game takes us to West Point, New York, where #24 Army will host Tulane on Friday night. Tulane will look to bounce back from a loss to Memphis, while Army will try to maintain its one-loss record.

We’ve got the top picks for Friday’s AAC Championship Game, Tulane vs. Army, including a prediction for the game and CFB DFS player picks for PrizePicks.

PrizePicks is the best way to get real money action on the AAC Championship and throughout the College Football Playoffs. Just pick more or less on at least two player projections and lock in your Lineup to win real money.

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AAC Championship Game: Tulane vs. Army Picks

Here are the top picks for Tulane vs. Army in the American Conference Championship game for CFB DFS on PrizePicks. Click each pick to read more analysis.

• When is the AAC Championship Game?
• Prediction: Tulane 37, Army 23
• Tulane RB Makhi Hughes 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs — More (Goblin)
• Tulane WR Mario Williams 69.5 Receiving Yards — More (Demon)
• Army RB Kanye Udoh 46.5 Rush Yards — Less

🏈 Find picks and predictions for every 2024 Conference Championship Game here

Tulane vs. #24 Army: How to Watch, When, Preview

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024

Time: 8 p.m. ET

How to Watch: ABC

Where: Michie Stadium, West Point, N.Y.

Even despite a huge let down against Notre Dame a few weeks ago, Army has a chance to win its conference in front of a home crowd at West Point. Tulane, on the other hand, had a path to the College Football Playoff before a loss to Memphis last week, setting it up for a let down spot here.

I do have some concerns about Tulane’s run defense after Memphis’ huge rushing performance last week, but for the most part, they’ve been solid this year. Now they face this Army rushing attack, led by QB Bryson Daily. We know Army is going to want to run the ball — it's running on 85.6% of plays this year. 

However, Army ranks just 30th in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play (-.047) when running the ball. Tulane ranks 47th in run defense EPA. The bright spot for Tulane was shutting out another military school triple-option attack in Navy in a 35-0 win just a few weeks ago. 

Tulane does have a huge edge in the passing game, and it should use that to its advantage. Army will look to limit possessions and look for a few key stops. If Tulane can get a lead, it’s going to be difficult for Army to climb back into this one. 

This is just a huge step up in competition for Army against a Tulane team that was one win away from the College Football Playoff. Offensively, Tulane is not much of a drop off from Notre Dame, who scored 49 points on this defense — you could even argue Tulane is more explosive.

It’s the 30th ranked team in net Expected Points Added against the 50th. Despite some defensive inefficiencies, look for Tulane to pull away and win the American.

AAC Championship Prediction: Tulane 37, Army 23

AAC Championship: Tulane vs. Army Picks for PrizePicks

Here are the best Tulane vs. Army picks for the AAC Championship Game on Friday, December 6, for CFB DFS on PrizePicks.

Tulane RB Makhi Hughes 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs — More (Goblin)

Tulane RB Makhi Hughes put up a dud in the loss to Memphis, as the Green Wave were forced to abandon the run early in the second half. But have no doubt: Hughes will be a huge part of this offense as long as it remains close. Even in Tulane’s other two games this year, Hughes had 21 and 19 carries.

Hughes has scored in every game this year outside of the Memphis loss, with 17 total touchdowns on the year. He’s sixth in college football in yards after contact, per PFF.

While Army is only giving up 103 rushing yards per game this year, it’s a bit misleading, as the rush defense ranks 92nd in college football, per PFF. Against Notre Dame — the only above average rushing team Army has faced, the Irish rushed for 275 yards on 28 carries (9.8 yards per carry) and five touchdowns.

If you’re looking for a payout boost, taking Hughes to score twice here is worth a look.

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Tulane WR Mario Williams 69.5 Receiving Yards — More (Demon)

As I’m high on Tulane in this spot, Demons — picks that come with higher payout multipliers — across the board make sense. One of those is Tulane WR Mario Williams who has come on strong at the end of the season with at least 90 yards receiving in three of his last four games.

Williams leads this team in targets (72) and average depth of target (16.4 yards). He had a season-high 10 targets last week. While the Army ball control is concerning from a pure opportunity perspective, I have no doubt that Tulane should move the ball with ease.

Army plays almost exclusively zone defense, which Williams should be able to find holes in. Look for Tulane to air it out to Williams early to get out ahead in this game

Army RB Kanye Udoh 46.5 Rush Yards — Less

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This pick is reliant on Army playing a game from behind and needing to scheme more unique play calling than letting Udoh run it down the gut. 

If we look at the last two games, when Army was trailing or playing in back and forth games, Udoh averaged only 8.5 carries per game and his longest rush was 6 yards. He combined for 50 rush yards in those games.

While Tulane does have some vulnerabilities in its rush defense, look for Army to dial up some other creative plays with QB Bryson Daily on run-pass options or with slotback Noah Short.

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Lock In for the AAC Championship Game

On Friday night, we’ll get a showdown between Tulane vs. Army as an appetizer for the rest of the College Football Conference Championships that await on Saturday. 

Use these picks to help you build your CFB DFS Lineups on PrizePicks. You can get real money action on PrizePicks throughout the conference championships and College Football Playoffs by choosing more or less on player projections. 

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