South Alabama vs Tulane Preview: No. 24 Green Wave Small Favorites

Saturday’s game between South Alabama and Tulane is one of the better NFL matchups on this week’s NCAAF schedule. It’s not going to get the attention of many of the other games, but you don’t get many Week 1 games between two 10-win teams. The Green Wave are ranked in the preseason for the first time in school history. It’s going to be a short-lived stay in the Associated Press poll if Tulane doesn’t play well. The South Alabama vs Tulane preview notes the Jaguars have 18 returning starters back and will be a tough team to play.

Jaguars Lead Nation in Returning Starters

South Alabama’s 18 returning starters are the most of any team in college football. Even better, is that last year’s South Alabama team doubled its win total from five in 2021 to 10 last year. It’s one thing to return almost all your starters from a 4-8 team. It’s something completely different to return your starters from a 10-3 team.

Among those back are quarterback Carter Bradley, who passed for 3,335 yards and 28 TDs. La’Damian Webb ran for over 1,000 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. While receivers Devin Voisin and Caullin Lacy combined for nearly 1,700 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Four of the five offensive linemen are back for the Jaguars and they’re solid. They’ll get a good test from Tulane’s new defensive coordinator Shel Wood, who likes to blitz. The Green Wave could bring the heat and see if South Alabama can stop them.

Defensively, the Jaguars were solid and have nine starters back. South Alabama held foes to 105 fewer yards per game in 2022 than it did in 2021. The unit will be top-notch once again.

Tulane Returns Lots of Skill

The Green Wave return six starters on both side of the ball, so they’re not doing a Colorado. One of those returning NCAAF players is quarterback Michael Pratt, who threw for 3,010 yards and 27 TDs, while rushing for 478 yards and 10 more scores. Tulane will have to replace Tyjae Spears, who had a monster season at running back last year. Colorado transfer Ashaad Clayton-Johnson will get the start for Tulane, but don’t be surprised to see three or four different backs in there.

Tulane’s defense allowed 22.2 points per game last season and will have to replace a few people. But there’s no reason why the Green Wave can’t be solid on both sides of the ball once again.

Tulane 27, South Alabama 24 (2020)

These two teams last played during the shortened 2020 season. Tulane rallied from an 11-point deficit with two fourth quarter touchdowns to post a 27-24 victory as 11.5-point favorites. The game stats were almost identical in a closely contested game.

What to Expect

Both teams have pretty high expectations this season. Perhaps not NCAA football championship high, but pretty lofty regardless. Tulane beat USC in the Cotton Bowl last year and anything less than another major bowl game will be a disappointment. The Jaguars are thinking along the same lines with all their returning starters.

The South Alabama vs Tulane preview notes both teams have great quarterbacks, but everything starts with the offensive line and the rushing game. South Alabama was 1-2 when it didn’t rush for 100 yards last year. Tulane needs to get some production from its running backs and not leave it up to Pratt to throw and move the ball on the ground.

The losses on the defensive side won’t help the Green Wave. But defense wasn’t the team’s strong suit. It was the offense and with the line and Pratt, Tulane shouldn’t miss a beat.

Who to Bet On?

The South Alabama vs Tulane preview sees that the Jaguars are a popular pick among sports bettors so far this week. Several systems involve betting teams with 17 returning starters. And bettors like to see a number of familiar faces returning to a team.

The college football betting odds have come down a little bit in this game, as the Green Wave opened as 7-point favorites. South Alabama is primed to have another good season and challenge for 10 wins again. But people might be selling short on the Green Wave this game. What Tulane did last year was amazing and they’ll be ready to roll in their home opener. Pratt is probably the best player on the field and Tulane’s line should do enough to help the Green Wave pull out the victory and the cover.

For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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