Tulane Green Wave at Southern Miss Golden Eagles: A Football Preview

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The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-1) own a 24-9 record all-time vs. the Tulane Green Wave. On Saturday, the Golden Eagles will look to make it 25 wins when they host the Green Wave (1-1) in Hattiesburg at The Rock.

Broadcast Information

Date: Saturday, September 16

Time: 4:00 PM EST

Where: M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

T.V.: ESPNU

The Stakes

This is an opportunity for both teams to return to the win column. Southern Miss is coming off a lopsided 66-13 loss to Florida State, while Tulane held their own against Ole Miss for one half before losing 37-20 last Saturday. Who will win the Battle for the Bell?

Key Players-Southern Miss Golden Eagles

RB Frank Gore, Jr. needs to have a breakout game. He has started off slow this season compared to last year-only 60 yards rushing and a touchdown in two games thus far.

QB Billy Wiles has passed for 421 yards, three TDs, and two INTs. Wiles has completed 52% of his passes.

Safety Jay Stanley is the leader on defense: 10 tackles, two INTs, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

Key Players-Tulane Green Wave

As of this writing, Tulane QB Michael Pratt’s status is uncertain for Tulane. Pratt suffered a leg injury against South Alabama and sat out the Ole Miss game. Tulane is a different team with Pratt calling the signals. If Pratt misses his second straight game, backup Kai Horton will be under center again. Horton passed for 231 yards, one touchdown, and one INT, but only completed 40% of his passes against Ole Miss.

RB Makhi Hughes ran for 92 yards and a score against Ole Miss. WR’s Lawrence Keys III and Jha’Quan Jackson combined for 9 catches 177 yards and a touchdown against the Rebels.

On defense, LB Tyler Grubbs is a standout. Grubbs registered 9 tackles against Ole Miss. Tulane limited Ole Miss RB Quinshon Junkins to just 48 yards on the ground and a score.

Analysis/Prediction

Tulane is an 11.5-point favorite, on the road. But Southern Miss is 12-4 vs. Tulane at M.M. Roberts Stadium.

Southern Miss is ranked 18th in the FBS in pass defense at 146 yards per game. With Stanley roaming the secondary for the Golden Eagles, Southern Miss could be successful against an inexperienced backup quarterback, should Pratt miss this game.

Tulane is ranked in the Top 30 in rushing defense (#26) at 82 yards per game, and they sacked Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart four times on Saturday. This does not bode well for Gore and Wiles. But if Southern Miss Head Coach Will Hall and OC Sam Gregg can get creative at play-calling and put Gore in a position to make plays to keep the Green Wave off balance, and the offensive line gives Wiles time to throw, the Golden Eagles have a chance.

You can bet Tulane Head Coach Willie Fritz will have Tulane ready to play. However, look for the Golden Eagles to get out of the loss column and get their 13th win at home over the Green Wave.

Final Score: Southern Miss 27 – Tulane 21