Tulane Green Wave vs Charlotte 49ers

By: Patrick Harkness

Spread: Tulane -16.5

Total: 55.5

Tulane enters week 10 at 6-2 and just out of the top 25. They will square off against The Charlotte 49ers who are currently a very underrated 3-5. They are coached by Biff Poggi who went 3-9 last year. They return 7 total starters, 4 offense and 3 defense. They also got a handful of power 4 transfers. They have been struggling to find a leader at the QB position but seem to have found their guy in Freshman QB Deshawn Purdie. He has breathed new life into this offense by almost upsetting Memphis last week. Charlotte is a very shotgun and pistol heavy offense they currently ranked 77th in passing yards (219) and 103rd in rushing (126). They average about 23 points a game which is ranked 102nd in the nation but don't be fooled by these numbers as Charlotte's young QB could resurrect this offense. Defensively it's very multiple and depending on the opponent Charlotte will have multiple fronts. They are giving up 34 points per game which ranks 119 in the nation while letting teams to pass at 230 yards a game and allowing teams to run for 184 on average, ranks them in the bottom 4 of the AAC. Enough of the numbers let's get into the Preview.       

  Offense

Quarterback- Battle of the young QBs

Mensah is playing like a top 25 QB this season and that's truly amazing for a young redshirt Freshman who was hardly even recruited in high school. On the year he amassed 1583 yards passing, 14 touchdowns, and only 3 picks. If it wasn't for Makhi Hughes and this stout offensive line, he may have some more gaudy numbers. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Mensah will be going up against a bad Charlotte defense. They may try to confuse him with their multiple fronts, but Mensah has enough time on him where we can almost call him a vet.  It should be another quit day for Mensah but don't be surprised if he takes a shot or two on play action when the run game is going.

Charlotte has had three different Quarterbacks play this year Max Brown a former Florida transfer hasn't been playing very well with 6 int on the year and Trexler Ivey also not able to have any success, so install Deshawn Purdie. This kid definitely has some skills with his rocket arm and is the future of this team. Now he isn't perfect by any means, not a threat on the ground and can be inaccurate at times as well. He's 53/93 with 869 yards (57 comp%) with 5 touchdowns and 2 int. Pivotal for Tulane to cause pressure and fluster this youngster because he will make mistakes.

Ty Thompson- Run Ty Run

You just have to love a player like Ty Thompson. Loses the QB1 position but still is a leader/mentor to Mensah while still keeping a head on his shoulders and being a key part of this offense when they need tough hard-fought yards. 

Running Back- Open the Flood Gates

Makhi Hughes should have his way again for another week against a very poor run stopping Charlotte defense. On the year Makhi has 939 yards rushing (5.7 avg) and 9 touchdowns. He is the main focal point of the offense and that will definitely not change this week. Arnold Barnes is starting to get hot and has asserted himself and the main backup behind Makhi. He managed to get 78 yards rushing (7.1 avg) against UNT. Look for him to give Makhi a breather of two. Shadie Clayton will continue to come in on passing downs to help the offense of key thirds downs with his speed.

Charlotte has 3 very capable backs at doing some damage. Cartevious Norton, a junior power running back, leads the way for the rushing attack. He has 85 carries for 391 yards (4.6 avg) and 4 td. The next two guys are more elusive/ change of pace backs and can make some guys miss in open space. Hahshaun Wilson who almost had the game winning touchdown against Memphis, has 58 carries for 363 yards (6.3 avg) and 6 td. Wilson is one of the guys on this offense that scares me the most. Terron Kellman is the other back that'll come in and give either one of these guys a spell. He has 204 yards on the ground averaging 5.1.   

Receiving Game- Battle of the Dontae's

It was good to see Alex Bauman back in action by hauling in a touchdown last week. Look for him to reassert his redzone presence again this week against a poor Charlotte defense. Dantae Fleming continues to show he is the go-to target on the outside with over 430 yards catching. But he could be in for a battle with Charlotte's best defensive player at cornerback Dontae Balfour he has recorded 28 tackles, 5 pass deflections and 2 interceptions. Dontae is a big corner coming in at 6-2 and can play really good man coverage. This should open up the passing game for either Mario Williams and/or Yulkeith Brown to have some big plays downfield. Another secondary player for Charlotte who will look to slow things down is Strong Safety Al-Ma’hi Ali he has 35 tackles, 6 pass deflections and 2 interceptions. Ali will try to slow down Bauman and any deep shots that come his way.

It sounds like we will finally get to see Shazz Preston play.  

Offensive Line- Dominance

I'll say it again this may be one of the best Offensive lines in college football. They’re currently ranked 6th in the nation in rushing yards at 216 and 6th for points per game 41 while only allowing 11 sacks. They should continue to strut their dominance against this Charlotte defensive front but there are some guys to keep an eye on.

Defensive end Demon (yes Demon not Damon) Clowney (brother to NFL DE Jadeveon Clowney) and defensive tackle Dre Butler seem to be their best lineman both having two sacks on the year, but I don't see much of a threat anywhere on this d-line. Tulane should roll right through this group.

X-Factor: Run heavy and use Play Action 

Defense

Defensive Line- Sack Lunch 

Thoughts and Prayers to Pat Jenkins and his Family.

Mathew Fobbs White has been steadily improving at the bandit position and seems to be catching fire. He had a key strip sack that led to a Tulane touchdown and was my player of the game last week. Mathew now has 2 sacks on the year. Terrel Allen who originally was slated for the bandit position moved over to DT next to Fobbs and seems to be working amazingly. Allen is big and strong enough to take on double teams to free up Fobbs and get pressure on QBs. Adin Huntington is starting to look like his old self after being banged up the majority of the beginning of the season.   

Charlotte is only returning 1 player from the offensive line last year. This rebuilt unit has been very lackluster by allowing 25 sacks on the year. The 49ers Head Coach was a former offensive lineman and coach, so he has to be disappointed in this group. The Tulane defensive front should impose their will against this offensive line and have a field day.

Linebackers- Stopping the Run

Tulane's linebackers need to be very sharp in this game with the three headed monster running back room of Charlotte. Tyler Grubbs and Sam Howard will continue to show their dominance in the run stopping game. Tyler now has 34 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions on the year while Howard has 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks with 4 fumble recoveries and 1 going for a touchdown. Dickson Agu and Chris Rodgers will continue to be very solid backups and key passing down specialists. 

Secondary- Down with the O”Mega

Micah Robinson and Jonathan Edwards need to step up big this week whenever they are lining up against O’Mega Blake, a former South Carolina transfer wide receiver. On the year O’Mega has 18 catches for 419 yards with 5 touchdowns. He is averaging 23 yards per catch. The 6-2 Junior is a deep threat down the field so Jalen Geiger/Jack Tch or Bailey Despaine/Kevin Adams must be ready to shade over and help either corner. Charlotte QB is not the best with his accuracy but O’Mega has the skills to go up and get it no matter where it is. Caleb Ransaw looks to have a bounce back game. Last week he didn't look the greatest getting burnt a couple of times, one leading to a touchdown and a defensive penalty on 4th down that led to another. But he is a very smart and good player so there should be no cause for concern. I have all the faith in Caleb to lock down the spear/nickel spot. 

Charlotte does have some other receiver threats Tulane should be looking out for. Jarius Mack 14 catches for 295 yards another deep threat guy, Sean Brown 22 catches for 242 yards and a touchdown a big body physical receiver standing at 6-4 this is who Caleb Ransaw might be matching up on. They also have two decent tight ends that can help out Colin Weber and Byrce Kennon. Weber has 19 catches for 202 yards and Byrce has 17 catches for 173 yards and 1 touchdown. 

X-Factor- Stop Running Game and Shut Down O’Mega

Special Teams

Kicker/Punter/Return Game

K-Jacob Barnes is back hitting a 47-yard field goal in the previous game 

P-Will Karrol has been punting the ball very consistently with power

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Roll Wave!!

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