Tulane Green Wave 2021 College Football Preview

Tulane Green Wave 2021 College Football Preview

Created July 31, 2021

2020 Recap

Record – 6-6

ATS – 7-4-1

The Wave struggled to get their SEA LEGS in the first half and only managed to win two of their first six games (South Alabama, Southern Miss). They won four of their final five regular season games including impressive triumphs over Army and Memphis. Tulane was outgunned in the bowl game by Nevada (L 38-27) and finished right at the .500 mark.


Tulane Green Wave 2021 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Green Wave rushed for over 200 YPG (217, #1 AAC) for the 5th consecutive season and averaged an impressive 34.7 PPG (#4). The THROW GAME was much better when QB Michael Pratt took over and note that he threw two or more TD passes in EACH of his last seven games. Pratt returns along with all the major targets including the WR combo of Duece Watts and Jha’Quan Jackson (combined 14 TD). Two of their top-four rushers depart but these guys can always GIT ER DONE on the ground. #2 RB Cameron Carroll booked 12 rushing scores LY (6.1) and Tyjae Spears averaged 7.4 YPC. The OL returns essentially intact and they have a pair of all-AAC performers in center Sincere Haynesworth and guard Corey Dublin. Pass protection needs to improve as they allowed 35 sacks LY (2nd last AAC sacks allowed per game). Look for them to book 30+ PPG once again despite the loss of OC Will Hall.

DEFENSE

Tulane was pretty solid vs the run LY (#2 AAC) but had all kinds of problems defending the pass (#101 FBS pass efficiency D). This was despite having an elite pass rush (37 sacks, #15 FBS sacks per game). The Green Wave take a major hit in the PENETRATION department with the departure of a PAIR (!) of NFL draft picks in Patrick Johnson and Cameron Sample (16 sacks combined LY). Adding DE Joseph Dorceus from Memphis should help. The Wave’s top-three tacklers return including Dorian Williams (16.5 TFL) who’s one of the most ACTIVE linebackers in the AAC. We’re still worried about the back end of the defense after allowing 27 TD passes in 2020 (most AAC) and 279 YPG.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Continuity, yo. They return starters across the board. Hopefully they get more consistency from PK Merek Glover who was just 9/15 on FGA LY. Ryan Wright is one of the better punters in the conference.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – The non-conference docket is fairly nasty as they take on the Sooners (!) and Ole Miss, not to mention sneaky-good UAB. They draw Cincinnati and UCF in SWEET AAC ACTION. Fun fact: They won’t have to deal with back-to-back road games.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – UAB (September 25th)

This comes after the game with Ole Miss and before conference play starts. UAB is tougher than a $3 steak.

Season Win Total

per 5Dimes July 31

Over 5 -150

Under 5 +130

Update August 19

Over 5.5 -105

Under 5.5 -115

MEGALOCKS says:

Lean: Over.

These guys look good enough to make a bowl game. The schedule is a bit spicy tho.

MEGAmazing Tidbit

HC Willie Fritz has taken the Wave to three consecutive bowl games. That’s never happened before in program history.


MEGALOCKS Outlook:

This is gonna be a fun team to watch once again. The offense is loaded and the defense will give up enough points to keep things interesting. They don’t appear good enough to make it to the AAC Championship but we’ll call for six wins and a fourth straight bowl game. ROLL WAVE!


Want more Tulane football ?

WEBSITE

https://tulanegreenwave.com/sports/football

FORUM

http://www.yogwf.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=efa00718d50b5eb39418c055015b0d4b

NEWS

https://www.nola.com/sports/tulane/

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/2655/tulane-green-wave

TWITTER

Hashtag – #RollWave

Accounts to follow

https://twitter.com/GreenWaveFB