Coming off one of their best performances of the year against #21 Cincinnati, the USF Bulls face another tough test against the Tulane Green Wave this week.
Saturday will be homecoming and the first time in 35 days that the Bulls have played at home. Tulane will be the second conference game of the year, and the New Orleans college football team has a lot of momentum coming into Week Six. The Green Wave currently sit at 5-1 with a very quality win over #17 Kansas St.
Tulane on a Roll
Junior Quarterback and three-year starter Michael Pratt, who is a South Florida native, is having the best year of his career so far, and is the main reason Tulane has a shot to win the AAC this year. Pratt has completed 67% of his passes along with nine TD’s and only two interceptions through six games. Pratt always takes what the defense gives him, as more than six players have double digit receptions on the year. Tulane’s QB could be the best that the Bulls have faced so far (yes, even Anthony Richardson), and the DB’s will have a real test in the air.
Tulane has also been very solid defensively, only giving up 13.3 points per game to opponents. The same ECU QB Holton Ahlers that dropped six touchdowns on USF’s head was held to only one score through the air, paired with two interceptions as well. On the ground, Tulane has only allowed two rushing scores all year, so the front seven is stout as well. Head Coach Willie Fritz has done an excellent job in solidifying all aspects of the game for the Green Wave.
USF Still Facing Issues
Although the score was close last week, the most USF could take from the game was a moral victory, as the victory against FCS Howard remains the only win on the season. Jeff Scott stated that the team had earned its “3rd PhD in adversity”, especially with all of the injuries so far this season. Gerry Bohanon’s play has been much improved in the last two weeks, and he needs to play well for the Bulls to have a shot Saturday afternoon.
Defensively, the Bulls have given up an average of 475 yards a game this year, and the defense has yet to play up to the level of their opponent other than stretches against UF and Cincinnati. An inconsistent unit so far this year will have to come out hot again this week to slow down the balanced Tulane offensive attack.
Where Can the Bulls Attack?
A bright spot for USF last Saturday: no turnovers! USF will have to create opponent turnovers and limit their own, which is very possible considering that Tulane comes into the game with an even amount of turnovers and turnovers forced (7) through six games. Winning the turnover battle could give the Bulls an upper hand in a tough game.
Last Thoughts
Tulane has developed their players and their program is going to finish near the top of the AAC this season, but the Bulls have a lot going for them Saturday.
Homecoming (in quite the literal sense as well) should have the Raymond James crowd bumping, but will it be enough to stop the Green Wave’s tough offensive attack?
It’s going to be a close one, but I think it’ll be difficult for the Bulls to stay with Tulane on Saturday.