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 

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Roll Wave!!

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