2014
Tulane
College Football
Betting Preview
Odds – Schedule
Tulane had seven wins last year and went to their first bowl Game since 2002. It was head coach Curtis Johnson’s second season with the team and more is expected from them this year. However, that might not be the case playing in a new, tougher conference. While the AAC may not be one of the greatest conferences, it’s a notch above C-USA.
It doesn’t help that the Green Wave will be using a new starting quarterback and still haven’t decided on one. Sophomore Tanner Lee is expected to take up the spot, but it’s still a tight race between him and Devin Powell, who has some experience from last season. To make matters tougher on the QB, the offense also loses its top RB and WR from a year ago. Sherman Badie, Josh Rounds and LAzedrick Thompson are expected to share carries at tail back and none of them have much experience. Justyn Shackleford (5 TDs) is the best returning receiver along with Xavier Rush. Those guys will need to fill the role left by the dominant WR Ryan Grant.
The offensive line returns most of its talent from last year, but it was one of the weaker units on the team so that’s not saying much. This offense struggled to Scorein C-USA and could have bigger problems in the AAC, especially without a great QB.
Defensively, the Green Wave were actually pretty good only allowing 21.4 points per Game. Of course, some of that is due to the Conference they played in, as they allowed 41 points to South Alabama and 52 to Syracuse.
The secondary is set to lead the team with cornerback Lorenzo Doss, who was a beast last year with seven interceptions and safety Sam SCofield, who led the team with 104 tackles. The front seven are a bit young and inexperienced though which could hurt in a bigger conference. End Royce LAFrance and linebacker Rico Marley are solid players, but the players surrounding them are the question.
Conveniently, Tulane opens the season with a familiar foe in Tulsa, who they beat 14-7 last year. If they want to play in another bowl Game, they need that win. With non-Conference Games against Georgia Tech, Duke and Rutgers, the Green Wave can’t afford to lose to lesser teams even on the road.
Tulane’s other three road Conference Games are against UCF, Houston and East Carolina, which will all be trouble. While they beat ECU last season, things look a bit different in 2014, as Tulane are still looking for their quarterback.
The Green Wave’s best chances at wins will come at home against Connecticut, Memphis and Temple. None of these Games are freebies by any means, especially in a different conference.
If Tulane can’t figure out their QB issue, it’s going to be a long season. Reaching six wins seems like a stretch with Four or five wins being the likeliest.
5 dimes sportsbook has odds/lines posted for the first few weeks of Games for several AAC teams. Check em out.
2014 Tulane Football Schedule
Aug. 28 at Tulsa
Sept. 6 vs. Georgia Tech
Sept. 13 vs. SE Louisiana
Sept. 20 at Duke
Sept. 27 at Rutgers
Oct. 11 vs. Connecticut
Oct. 18 at UCF
Oct. 31 vs. Cincinnati
Nov. 8 at Houston
Nov. 15 vs. Memphis
Nov. 22 at East Carolina
Dec. 6 vs. Temple