Tulane vs. Southern Jaguars Preview and Prediction

A quick preview and then a final prediction for tonight’s game between the visiting Southern Univeristy Jaguars of Baton Rouge and the SWAC, vs. the host Tulane Green Wave…..

Date:  Saturday, September 10, 2016

Time / Place:  8 p.m. EST Yulman Stadium

TV:  ESPN 3

Series Record:  Green Wave leads the series 2-0

NEWS AND NOTES:

Tulane is 13-0 against the FCS, Southern is 0-10 against the FBS

The Jags a FCS opponent and member of the SWAC, take the short ride from Baton Rouge to take on the Green Wave tonight.

Both teams are 0-1. the Green Wave loss to Wake forest 7-3, and Southern loss 38-21 to Louisiana-Monroe.

In Tulane’s Home Opener, Coach Willie Fritz will look to rebound from his unsuccessful Green Wave coaching debut after the offense couldn’t get much going in the opening loss at Wake Forest.

Coach Fritz wants his offense to put the dismal offensive effort (3 pts., 134 passing yards, 146 rushing  yards  against Wake Forest in their rear view mirror.

"“This is a big game for us as the home opener. We want to get that good taste back in our mouths. There are just a lot of things to play for. I just want to see a lot of improvement from Week 1 to Week 2.”"

The 280-yard offensive effort was disappointing, the Green Wave couldn’t sustain drives, and lacked explosive plays.

The Wave offensive line had a difficult night. While dropping back in the pocket, QB Glen Cuiellette was stifled by the protection breakdowns and as a result, lost yardage in critical situations.

Sep 1, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Glen Cuiellette (14) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Tulane 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The offensive line struggles stifled the offensive rhythm. Cuielleete — starting his first game in a hostile environment —didn’t get much help from his offense.

The Green Wave WR’s were breaking off routes or running routes incorrectly.  Several penalties and sacks created some treacherous down and distances for the inexperienced offense.

The 2016 Green Wave will be a predominately run team but 3.1 yards per carry won’t win many games, and the downfield passing game is virtually nonexistent.

"“We had a few passing situations, and obviously that is not our strength. We had a tough time protecting tonight and it was a four-man rush most of the time. “The whole last series was a two or three-man rush. It was just a lot of guys playing their first ball game. Everybody has to do their job, and someone has to make a play. I thought we could have done a lot better.”“Our big deal right now is we just have to do a better job of protection. We have to be firmer in our protection and especially when we are in max-protect with everybody and their mother back in there blocking, we have to hold them off longer.”"

The Green Wave open up a 3 game home stand, and (nearly sold out) against the Jaguars.

The offensive focus was on the ground game but QB Glen Cuiellette and the offense must improve for the Green Wave to take advantage of the home stand.

Said Cuiellette to reporters earlier in the week:

"“I felt like I was shackled here and there by good defense on the third downs. I tried my best to extend plays; but when I watched the film, there were a lot of good things and a lot of mistakes I need to correct. Overall it was not bad for a first college start theoretically; but personally, it wasn’t good enough.”"

Meanwhile, the Tulane defense held Wake Forest to 175 yards of total offense.

The defensive Front 7 led by Tanzel Smart and Nico Marley got after the Demon Deacons and were very stingy yardage wise.

Sep 1, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Matt Colburn (22) runs the ball during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Tulane 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Wave held Wake Forest to 79 yards rushing, 2.3 yards per attempt. Tulane’s defensive line recorded 1 sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 13 tackles.

Smart — who’s on the Outland Trophy watch list — is a Scotlandville native, just right down the road from tonight’s opponent Southern University.

Last week, Southern’s offensive line gave up 4 sacks to Louisiana-Monroe.

Offensively, Southern is led by former, walk-on and Southern’s all-time leading rusher Lenard Tillery.

Tillery  coming off consecutive 1,100+ rushing seasons has gained over 3,000 yards rushing and is 718 rushing yards aways from shattering the SWAC  conference record.

Tillery is joined by explosive WR/return Specialist Wille Quinn. Last week Quinn averaged 35 yards on four kickoff returns and had 9 receptions.

Jaguars QB Austin Howard struggled last week. Howard was completed 17 of 31 attempts for 137 yards and a touchdown, with a red zone interception.

Southern’s Head Coach  Dawson Odums on Howard’s game last week:

"“I think he had some throws that he normally makes. That’s what we talked about: When you get your opportunity, are you going to make them pay? We missed early on. We had Dillon wide open going toward the fieldhouse, and we missed him. We had (Lenard) Tillery wide-open on a flat route; and we missed him.”"

Defensively, the Jaguars are led by talented Danny Johnson. Johnson a defensive back, led Southern last week against ULM with 11 tackles and 2 interceptions.

Southern also has a playmaker in LB Aaron Tiller who had 5 tackles last week, and 7 sacks last year.  Tiller is the Jaguars’ best pass rusher.

FINAL SCORE AND PREDICTION:

Southen’s famous marching band “THE HUMAN JUKEBOX” will come down to uptown New Orleans and rock Yulman Stadium, giving all of the fans in attendance a real show.

But tonight, that performance by the band will be the only win for Southern.

Coach Fritz gets his first win at Tulane —- and the Wave roll in easy fashion, 35-13……..