Saturday, October 21, will witness the clash between South Florida and Tulane at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00p.m. EST, and the game will be televised on ESPN2. This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams.
USF Outlook
South Florida faces a tough challenge as they go up against a triple-option team. However, based on their previous success defending against the triple-option, they are confident in their ability to handle it. The USF offense will stick to their run-first approach with read-options, relying on the three-headed monster of Quinton Flowers, D’Ernest Johnson, and Darius Tice to dominate the ground game. Tulane’s defense, which has been allowing almost 200 rushing yards per game, will struggle to contain the explosive USF offense.
Defensively, USF expects a tougher battle. Although Tulane’s triple-option attack was shut down by FIU, USF anticipates adjustments from Tulane’s coach, Willie Fritz. While USF may not replicate the dominating performance they had against Cincinnati, they are determined to control the game and prevent Tulane from taking the upper hand.
Keys:
- Defending the triple-option: USF understands that defending against the triple-option is crucial to their success. They have scored enough points in their previous 23 games and aim to continue this trend against Tulane. Discipline will be the key to stopping the triple-option.
- The run game must shine: USF’s run game is expected to be explosive, taking advantage of Tulane’s weak defense against the run. With their elite athleticism, USF hopes to exploit this weakness.
- Touchdowns instead of field goals: USF aims to convert their red zone opportunities into touchdowns rather than settling for field goals. This improvement will be crucial for their ranking and will start with this game.
Tulane Outlook
Tulane looks to bounce back after a disappointing performance in their last game. They struggled to sustain drives offensively and missed numerous tackles on defense. Now, they face the challenge of playing against the 16th ranked team in the nation.
Tulane Offense
Tulane’s offense is led by junior quarterback Jonathan Banks, who has been effective both through the air and on the ground. However, they rely heavily on their rushing attack, with Dontrell Hilliard, Sherman Badie, Darius Bradwell, and Stephon Huderson sharing the load. To maximize their offensive efficiency, Tulane needs more production from their receiving corps. The offensive line has shown improvement throughout the season but needs consistency to compete against USF.
Tulane Defense
Tulane’s defense has been solid for most of the season, except for a high-scoring game against Oklahoma. With playmakers at every level, including defensive end Ade Aruna, linebacker Rae Juan Marbley, and cornerback Parry Nickerson, Tulane’s defense has generated turnovers consistently.
Of note, this game marks the return of former Tulane quarterback Shaun King, who now serves as USF’s running backs coach. King was instrumental in Tulane’s successful 1998 season and will surely add an interesting dynamic to this match.
Final Prediction
While both teams thrive on a strong running game, it’s expected that the clock will continuously run, potentially resulting in fewer points. However, USF is motivated to break the record for the most consecutive games with 30+ points, making them determined to score heavily. The prediction is that USF will win convincingly, as they continue their quest for perfection.
USF 38 Tulane 17
FAQs
Q: Is this the first meeting between South Florida and Tulane?
A: Yes, this will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Q: What is the key for USF to win the game?
A: USF must focus on defending against Tulane’s triple-option offense and capitalize on their strong run game.
Q: Who are the key players to watch in this game?
A: Quinton Flowers, D’Ernest Johnson, and Darius Tice will be the key offensive players for USF. Tulane’s offense will rely on Jonathan Banks and their rushing attack featuring Dontrell Hilliard, Sherman Badie, Darius Bradwell, and Stephon Huderson.
Conclusion
The clash between South Florida and Tulane promises to be an exciting game. While both teams excel in running the football, it is USF who enters the game as the favorite. Tulane will need to regroup after their previous loss and perform at their best to pull off an upset. Stay tuned to Trends News for the latest updates and analysis on this matchup and other trending topics.
