Tulane hosts East Carolina in Thursday night clash at Yulman Stadium

Tulane will host East Carolina on Thursday night at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and national telecast on ESPN. Tulane enters 4-1 and is a roughly 6.5 to 7 point favorite, while East Carolina is 3-2 after a 28-6 victory over Army last week. Oddsmakers have set the over under near 53.5 points.

The game pits Tulane's run-first attack against an East Carolina team that has relied on its passing game and a stout defense. Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been the centerpiece of the Green Wave offense, combining 820 passing yards this season with team-leading rushing production and seven rushing touchdowns. Tulane averages about 205.8 rushing yards per game and ranks among the national leaders in that category, while protecting the ball well with one of the better turnover margins in the country.

Tulane's balance has paid off against most opponents, including wins over Northwestern and Duke and a 31-14 road victory at Tulsa. Its only loss came to Ole Miss, a ranked opponent. The Green Wave lean heavily on the run but have shown limitations in their passing game, completing just over half of their attempts this season and producing middling...