This is the first AAC game for both South Florida and Tulane, which were preseason contenders to win the conference. In the AAC media preseason poll, Tulane was picked to finish third and USF was fourth.
By the way, the team picked first, Memphis, is coming off a 56-44 loss at Navy.
Both teams have played rugged non-conference schedules, and each has suffered two losses to Power Four teams. This is one of many games between contenders for the two AAC playoff berths in a conference that suddenly appears to be wide open.
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USF-Tulane How to Watch
South Florida at Tulane, noon ET Saturday
TV: ESPNU
Records: USF (2-2, 0-0 AAC), Tulane (2-2, 0-0)
USF-Tulane Betting Line
Tulane: -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under 64.5
USF-Tulane Coaches
USF: Alex Golesh (9-8)
Tulane: Jon Sumrall (25-6 overall, 2-2 at Tulane)
Last meeting: Oct. 15, 2022; Tulane won 45-31 in Tampa to go up 3-1 in the all-time series.
Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt completed 23 of 35 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also ran for two scores, while Tyjae Spears rushed for 151 yards and two TDs for the winning Green Wave.
Why The USF-Tulane Game Is Important
Parity has apparently come to the AAC, with what seems like multiple College Football Playoff contenders. As both of these teams were considered conference championship contenders, getting the early upper hand in the standings will be critical.
USF Preview
USF has had a brutal non-league schedule.
The first loss was 42-16 at Alabama. USF trailed just 14-13 after three quarters before being outscored 28-3 in the final period. Highly touted redshirt sophomore quarterback Byrum Brown completed just 15 of 35 passes for 103 yards. He was sacked four times. In last week’s 50-15 home loss to Miami, Brown was injured late in the fourth quarter. In his postgame press conference, USF head coach Alex Golesh said Brown could have gone back in and “he will be fine.”
Against Miami, Brown completed 19 of 30 passes for 254 yards. Miami did a great job containing Brown on the ground, limiting him to 27 yards on 14 carries. Veteran receiver Sean Atkins had 11 receptions for 125 yards. USF averaged just 1.9 yards on 32 rushing attempts.
USF had no answer for Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Ward, who completed 24 of 34 passes for 404 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Ward also rushed for 43 yards on five carries.
Linebacker Jamie Pettway and safety Tawfiq Byard each led USF with six tackles against Miami. Byard is the brother of Kevin Byard, a two-time first-team All-Pro safety currently playing for the Chicago Bears.
Tulane Preview
The Green Wave’s two losses have come to P4 opponents, losing at home to Kansas State 34-27 and at Oklahoma 34-19. Tulane is coming off last week’s 41-33 road win over a quality Group of Five opponent, Louisiana. Redshirt sophomore Makhi Hughes tied a personal best by rushing for 166 yards. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry and scored a TD. For the season, Hughes has rushed for 424 yards and three touchdowns.
Rayshawn Pleasant scored on a 94-yard kickoff return and had four returns for 153 yards.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah has completed 60% of his passes for 796 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Against Louisiana, senior linebacker Tyler Grubbs had a team-high six tackles.
USF-Tulane Prediction
I like Tulane giving the points. USF is coming off a physical game against one of the top teams in the country, and one must wonder how much facing Miami will affect the Bulls. Miami was both fast and physical, and the Hurricanes wore down USF after leading by just seven points at halftime.
One of the key stats will be that Tulane averages five yards per carry, while USF is allowing 3.7 yards per carry. Hughes is such a game-breaker, and how USF is able to contain him will go a long way toward determining the winner.
Opponents are averaging five yards per carry against Tulane, so how the Green Wave handle the Bulls run game, led by Brown, will be another key.
Ball security is something to look at as well. USF has recovered five fumbles. Tulane has lost just two fumbles.
