Memphis @ Tulane Week 14 Preview

Patrick Harkness • November 25, 2024

Memphis Tigers 

@

Tulane Green Wave


By: Patrick Harkness



Spread: Tulane -13

Total: 56.5


Tulane comes into this game ranked 18 in the AP coaches' poll just followed by Memphis at 23. No matter the outcome Tulane will play in the AAC conference championship game but will need to win out in order to have a chance for the CFP. Now that Memphis is ranked this will help Tulane's playoff chances. Memphis come’s into this game at 9-2 and ranked third in the conference. They are coached by Ryan Silverfield who has an overall record of 40-20 and is in his 5th season. Memphis offense is led by QB Seth Henigan who currently has Memphis passing offense ranked 24th in the nation averaging 273 yards a game. South Carolina transfer Mario Anderson leads the rushing attack ranking the tigers at 61st in the nation with an average of 167 yards a game. The Tigers defense (3-3-5) is giving up 22 points a game which ranks 45. They are giving up 353 yards a game (4th in AAC), 245 yards a game passing (10th AAC), and 108 yards a game rushing (3rd AAC). They also know how to create turnovers going 12 for 12 on forced fumbles and recoveries and 9 interceptions.     


Offense


Quarterback- Mensah


This could be a huge day for Mensah and this Tulane offense. With Memphis pass defense not playing very well Joe Craddick (OC) could be opening up the playbook all the way for the young freshman QB. Still expect Tulane to try and establish the run but I expect this to be a pass heavy game until Tulane pulls away. Like always Tulane will come out running but when the defense starts to creep up look for play action and some deep shots. Mensah has to play smart football and use his legs like the previous game when no one is open.       


Ty Thompson


Expect Ty to get his usual amount of carries anywhere from 5-10 carries. I could see Tulane using him in the red zone with a RPO or play action and have him throw the ball to fake out the defense. 


Memphis QB- Seth Henigan


On the season Seth is having a decent season completing 269 passes out of 422 (63.7%) with 21 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while taking 15 sacks. Seth has the ability to run the ball so the Green Wave must keep that in mind. He has 61 carries for 119 yards (2.0) with 1 touchdown.






Running Back


Makhi will be in for a battle in the ground game. Memphis run defense has been pretty solid all year and they have one of the better linebackers in the conference Chandler Martin currently sitting at 90 tackles and 6 sacks. Makhi will get used early and often but if the ground game can't get going look for Tulane to start passing the ball. I'd like to see Shadie Clayton get some use in the passing game on some screens. Look for Arnold to spell Makhi when he needs a breather. Arnold has been running very well lately. 


       



Receiving Game


We could see a huge day for the Tulane receiving game. Memphis secondary has been lackluster this year and allowing teams to throw on them. Tulane needs to capitalize on such a weak passing defense. Memphis safety Davion Ross has been playing decently with 40 tackles, 11 pass break ups, and 2 interceptions. Greg Rubin, the only returning defensive player has 64 tackles and 8 pass break ups. I could see Tulane coming out in 4 wide receiver sets a lot this game to try and spread out the 5 defensive backs. Mario Williams, Yulkeuith Brown, Dontae Fleming, and Shazz Preston must get utilized with their speed. Alex Bauman could be the x factor in this game with the secondary trying to slow down Tulane's 4 headed monster.   



Offensive Line


Memphis has three guys who can get after the QB, stud linebacker Chandler Martin (6 sacks), William Withlow Jr (4 sacks), and Elijah Herring (3.5 sacks). Tulane's offensive line is one of the best in the nation displaying 6 guys who can all play at an elite level. On the year they have only given up 14 sacks, while allowing the offense to score 40 points a game which ranks 6th in the nation, while boasting 227 yards for the run game which ranks 10th, and a passing attack of 207 yards a game ranking 88th. The success of the offensive line will determine how the game ends up. 



X Factor: Alex Bauman


Defense


Defensive Line 


On the year Tulane has 30 sacks and that's been a big part to the defensive line. With 9 different guys getting at least 1 sack or more. The Green Wave front needs to play lights out against this Memphis rushing attack. Memphis running back Mario Anderson has 195 carries (5.7 avg), 1,115 rushing yards, and 16 touchdowns. Tulane's defensive front must be able to slow down this rushing attack of the Tigers in order to win this game. The offensive line of Memphis has given up 15 sacks on the year, that's one more than Tulane. They have been playing very well all year keeping Seth Henigan up right.   




Linebackers

Sam Howard and Tyler Grubbs will be the x factors in this game. They must be able to shed blocks in the run game and shut down the running back before he gets into space. They both have been leaders of the defense and Sam Howard is starting to play very well. Look for Dickson Agu and Chris Rodgers to come in on key passing downs. They also must keep an eye out for running back Mario Anderson and tight end Anthony Landphere in the passing game. Mario has 44 catches for 294 yards and 2 touchdowns while Anthony has 379 yards and 4 touchdowns. 



Secondary


The secondary is going to have their hands full against this Memphis passing attack. Seth Henigan has been playing well of late and that's thanks to his receivers. Roc Taylor the 6-3 senior has been playing pretty well with 738 yards and 2 touchdowns, Demeer Blankumsee has 545 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Koby Drake has 471 yards and 1 touchdown. This will have to be an all-around group effort from the Green Wave secondary. Micah Robinson and Jonathan Edwards will try to slow down Roc Taylor with Javion White and Reyshawn Pleasant lining up against the other speedier receivers, with Javion lining up in the slot. I can see Caleb Ransaw helping out with the tight end and running back this game. Jack Tchienchou, Bailey Despaine, and Kevin Adams must lock down the deep end of the field and cannot bite on the play action or Seth will burn them. 





X Factor: Stop the run and make Memphis one dimensional 

 



Special Teams



Kicker/Punter/Return Game


K- Patrick Durkin or Jacob Barnes need to have a solid day if Tulane can't punch it in. 


P-Will Karrol must have an amazing game and flip the field if Tulane stalls in their own end of the field 


For more Tulane Football news, check out Wave Watch on YouTube at The Kneaux!


Roll Wave!!


This is Patrick Harkness and you can follow me on X @RollDatWave and @BeInTheKneaux everywhere.



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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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