Tulsa at Tulane Preview: Homecoming at Yulman

Patrick Harkness • November 7, 2026

Tulsa Golden Hurricane @ Tulane Green Wave

Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. CT
Yulman Stadium (Homecoming) | ESPNU

Both teams enter 4-4. Tulane is 2-2 in the American after the overtime win at Charlotte. Tulsa is 1-3 in the league and coming off a bye.

Series is 13-8 Tulsa all-time; the Wave have won the last three, including 31-14 last year.

Early line has Tulsa as a slight favorite.

Part 1: Tulane and Tulsa

Tulane Green Wave

Year 1 under Will Hall. The offense has settled on true freshman Trace Johnson after the early carousel.

He's been efficient in recent starts (284 yards and a late tying score at Charlotte).

The backfield is deep and explosive, Johnnie Daniels (493 yards, 6.2 ypc, 6 TDs), Maurice Turner, and Jaylin Lucas.

Destyn Hill leads the receivers (390 yards).

The defense is still the identity piece under Tayler Polk and Nate Fuqua (Jack Tchienchou, Dickson Agu, Ed Smith IV), even if the run defense has been leaky.

Homecoming atmosphere at Yulman, let's see if it's real.

The Wave just showed they can finish a game on the road in overtime.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Tre Lamb's second year.

Baylor Hayes has grown into a legitimate dual-threat (1,343 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs).

After two straight years with 1,000-yard backs, this year has featured a shared backfield with Cade McConnell (435 yards) and Greg Morgan (366 yards).

Their receivers are unproven, with Kamdyn Benjamin leading in receptions and Michael Williams in yards.

Tulsa will test Tulane's still-developing run defense.

Part 2: The Matchups

Offensive showdown: Tulsa is a middle-of-the-pack rushing team in the American, and Tulane's run defense will attempt to hold the front.

This is where the game might find its 'grind' feel, with neither side having much defensive breathing room.

In the air: Tulane could exploit Tulsa's 120th-ranked pass defense, currently sitting in the bottom half of the nation. Tulsa's secondary is allowing 280.5 yards per game, 10.6 yards per attempt.

Bottom-line: Tulane's run game needs to attack with depth, and Trace Johnson needs to play within himself and let the receivers and the backfield work.

X-Factor: Tulane's run defense. Tulsa's top back Cade McConnell's pass-catching threat will need to be accounted for all day. If Tulane doesn't control Tulsa early, the Hurricane will dictate the tempo.

Part 3: Early Betting Previews

Early Markets: Houston is favored by 2.5 points over East Carolina, while Tulsa is a 4.5-point favorite in the Tulane matchup, paying -185 on the moneyline.

The total for the Tulane/Tulsa game is set at 50.5, with the under shifting to -115.

Over/Under Odds: The under opens at -110, with the over at -105.

All lines can shift before kickoff.

It's hard to read too much into the matchup picture; early lines have Tulsa as a slight favorite, but that could change with homecoming momentum, weather, and noise.

This is open to shift. Houston covered games at -2.5, their loss earlier this season to UAB?

Early betting preview based on early U.S. sportsbook lines as of Nov 6, 2026.

Part 4: Prediction and Game Flow

Game Script: Tulane just survived a late surge at Charlotte, winning in OT. Tulsa has come off a bye, giving them time to prepare.

While neither defense is elite, expect a moderate pace and both teams trading blows. Tulane has the better defense but also a less reliable backfield in ball security.

X-Factor: turnovers. Who blinks first?

The Flamingo's new chink in the armor from the Charlotte game, loss of key RB Rubin who could be a key loss in this one.

Prediction: Tulane 31, Tulsa 24.

Wrap Up: More preview content from after this drop. Follow @RollDatWave for all the latest.

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By Kaden Arkeder • November 7, 2026
Coming off the bye week the Saints have a lot to prove against the Browns. The coaching staff has seen changes with the dismissal of TJ Pagnetti and subsequently responsibilities shifting among the coaching staff in an effort to see more positive play from the team. The Saints also let go of Daniel Carlson over the past week giving the starting kicking duties to Charlie Smyth once again. We’ll see if Charlie takes advantage of the opportunity and helps solidify the kicking position. The pressure is on for the entire organization to turn the season around after starting 2-5 and hearing the owner say it's her job to hold everyone accountable. With these moves the Saints have already begun to feel the pressure and could just be the start of what is to come should the team not start winning more games. Looking ahead to the offensive side of the ball reinforcements seem to be on the way, we’ll see how soon the likes of Jordyn Tyson and Kelvin Banks return from IR as it would be unlikely to see them in full capacity against the Browns but never say never. But Cesar Ruiz looks to be ready to return on the offensive line with the hope of helping stabilize pass protection. But the real pressure this week for the Saints is to have a complete game on offense where the run game actually produces throughout the game. After having such dismal production for most of the season culminating in one of the worst performances rushing the ball I have ever seen against the Steelers a competent run game is paramount this week against the Browns. Who did not fare well against the Steelers run game last week where the Browns were very inconsistent with their tackling, pursuit angles, and sound in their gap assignments. If I were Kellen Moore I would try to pick up from where the Steelers left off. On the defensive side of the ball the Saints look to take advantage of the Browns pass protection woes as they gave up eight sacks last week against the Steelers. Pass protection broke down quickly and often throughout the game for the Browns from both power and finesse rushes. When the Steelers did blitz the Browns had little answers and often let the blitzer come clean. Both starting tackles, Spencer Fano and Tytus Howard should have their hands full with Chase Young and Carl Granderson. In the pass defense I expect the Browns to try quick passes trying to set up YAC opportunities to counteract the protection woes especially if Shadeur Sanders gets the start because of Deshaun Watson’s concussion. This is where the Saints move to insert Martin Emerson into the starting lineup can help as he has no issue playing closer to the line of scrimmage to discourage those plays. With the Saints preference of playing off man we’ll see if they continue to do more of the same or change tactics to try and press the Browns receivers to throw off their timing. The most important aspect for the defense though is having a better performance stopping the run. The defensive front has to start doing a better job of getting push up front to disrupt running lanes and not letting the running backs get a full head of steam before reaching the second and third levels of the defense. If the Saints are able to keep the Browns in check by accomplishing those goals I like their chances against the Browns offense. Browns Injury Report Maliek Collins (DT) - Out Deshaun Watson (QB) - Questionable Saints Injury Report Kelvin Banks (OT) - Questionable CJ Donaldson (RB) - Out Martin Emerson (CB) - Questionable Asim Richards (OT) - Questionable Jordyn Tyson (WR) - Questionable
By Anthony Parker • November 7, 2026
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