There were probably some fans who didn’t even know where Tulane University was located. That is until last season when coach Will Fritz and the Green Wave executed a remarkable turnaround putting the program on the map with 10 regular season wins, an American Athletic Conference title and Cotton Bowl victory over USC. After winning just two games in 2021, bitcoin betting on the Green Wave last season was profitable since they exceeded their win total of 5.5 by mid-October en route to a program record-tying 12 victories. With the AAC losing three prominent programs Tulane has a chance to be the class of the league.
College Football Season Wins Odds
Regular Season Wins for the Tulane Green Wave
Over 9.5 ( +135 )
Under 9.5 ( -160 )
There isn’t a history of success with the Green Wave, which is why some think the 9.5 win total is a bit overzealous. Prior to last season Tulane hadn’t won more than seven games since 2002. Fritz, however, does have a history winning nearly 70 percent of his games during stops at Central Missouri, Sam Houston State and Georgia Southern. So maybe it was just a matter of time before Tulane started reaping the rewards.
Roster
This season is going to be much different than what Tulane has seen in the past. There are of course the raised expectations after a 12-win season and bowl victory over the Men of Troy. Also, the departures of Cincinnati, Houston and UCF put the Green Wave on the fast track to become the face of the AAC. Making that rise inevitable is the return of Michal Pratt, who makes Tulane the team to beat in 2023.
Pratt made the offense click with his arm and legs taking his game up a notch last year when Tulane saw a major jump in production. In 2021 they averaged 27.6 points with that increasing to 36.0 last year, third-best in the AAC. Pratt completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 3,009 yards and 27 TDs with only five picks. He also ran for another 478 yards and 10 scores. Without a pipeline of talent in place, roster turnover always impacts non-Power 5 teams. Five of the top seven pass catchers from a season ago are gone with others needing to step up. One candidate is Jha’Quan Jackson, who had 33 receptions and averaged nearly 17 yards.
The offense has a chance to build off its numbers from a season ago when it averaged over 441 yards because of a line that’s arguably the best in the AAC. All-conference center Sincere Haynesworth anchors the unit that got stronger with the addition of LSU transfer Cameron Wire. Protecting Pratt is a priority and so is creating lanes for a running game without an established back. Shaadie Clayton-Johnson averaged almost six yards a pop and will be one of several players looking to become the main threat.
While everything appears set on offense, there are more questions on the other side of the football. As a whole the group was effective in 2022. Tulane didn’t commit silly penalties, did enough in the turnover game and was decent enough to get off the field when it had to on third downs. Tulane had the third-best total defense in the AAC allowing 360.4 yards a game but has to replace its top five tacklers. The team also breaks in a new coordinator with Shiel Wood taking over following the departure of Chris Hampton. There are talented players at every level, but are there enough to help Tulane win 10 regular season games?
Schedule
The only AAC loss was to a team no longer in the conference clearing a path for another strong season. The loss to UCF and 3-point win over Houston and Cincy make Tulane the team to beat. The Green Wave should be favored in every league game since the UTSA tussle is at home. There is a non-conference game with Ole Miss in Week 2 and at Southern Miss (last year’s other loss) in Week 3. And the opener with South Alabama isn’t going to be a pushover.
Prediction
They say good teams make their own breaks. If that’s the case Tulane was a real good team in 2022. Their 17-10 win over Kansas State proved to be huge and beating AAC contenders Houston and Cincinnati each by a field goal was a nice touch. Then there was the miraculous comeback in the Cotton Bowl to beat USC. The ball bounced Tulane’s way last year and things unfortunately have a way evening out putting the Green Wave UNDER their projected total.
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