118. Tulane

(2-11, 1-7) Conference USA West

(November 9, 2011 - Source: Stacy Revere/Getty Images North America)

Rankings -

Offense	Avg	Defense	Avg
Rushing	126.31	Rushing	164.92
Passing	214.00	Passing	245.38
Total	340.31	Total	410.31
Points	21.08	Points	37.46

Overview

The Green Wave have been mired in mediocrity (at best) for the better part of their existence, and have been a last stop for many good coaches, most recently Bob Toledo. The new HC is local boy Curtis Johnson, most recently seen as New Orleans Saints’ WR coach. He’s no experience as a HC, or even a coordinator, but he’s a high energy guy who showed some mettle by pulling in some nice recruits. He’s taking over a team that couldn’t stop anyone last year, but returns a few starters on defense and most of the key players on an offense that wasn’t awful. Johnson does inherit a team laden with juniors and seniors, which may ease the learning process, in a conference going through some key changes; getting them to perform at a winning level is another problem.

Offense

Having Ryan Griffin back is a plus - he’s a solid QB who struggled with the lack of production around him. He threw for 2502 yards, 13 TDs and 9 interceptions last season, despite lacking a reliable no.1 target. That should be remedied with Ryan Grant back from an injury that cost him all but a few minutes of the 2011 season. Wilson Van Hooser (36-487-4) had some moments last season, and should start opposite him. Matt Marfisi started the latter half of the season at TE, but he wasn’t overly productive as a receiver. One key returnee is RB Orleans Darkwa. He ran for 924 yards and 13 TDs and led the team in receptions with 37. The junior has been productive so far in his career, and will get some long looks from pros over the next couple of years. Dante Butler is pegged to back him up, but watch out for Lazedrick Thompson in the fall. He’s similar in size and style to Darkwa and got some attention from bigger schools. The big concern is the line - only RT Eric Jones and Zach Morgan, who’s moving to center, return - although they’re a decent pair. The reserves who are taking over lack any real experience, so it would be no surprise to see freshmen starting, but the line must be a point of focus for the new coaching staff or the offense will struggle again this season.

Defense

It’s probably no bad thing that the defense is losing more than a few starters from last season, but thankfully LB Trent Mackey is returning. Mackey wasn’t just the heart-and-soul of the defense; at times he seemed like he was the defense. He had 145 tackles, including 14 for loss with 4 sacks. Joining him at LB will be Darryl Farley and Matthew Bailey, both of whom saw plenty of action last season and should be better this year. DE Austen Jacks is the sole returning starter on the line, but he had just 3.5 sacks. More will be expected of him this season if he wants to keep his job. Michael Pierce will join him on the outside after playing reserve as a freshman, but he too needs to raise his game. A couple of big but inexperienced tackles, Julius Warmsley and Kenny Welcome will man the middle. Johnson didn’t bring in much in the way of recruits, so he’ll have to make do with what he’s got. Ryan Travis (4 picks), Kyle Davis and Shakiel Smith all started in the secondary last season and should carry on this season. Freshman CB Jordan Batiste will man the other spot. Some scouts feel he’s under-rated and could make a name for himself here.

Special Teams

Cairo Santos wasnt’t the most reliable kicker last season, but retained his spot through the spring by default. If he doesn’t improve his consistency, his holder (yep, that’s right) Ryan Rome could take his place. He currently kicks off. You could do worse at punter than Jonathon Ginsburgh, but he needs to help out his struggling coverage unit (3 TDs) with some directional punting. The kickoff coverage unit wasn’t much better. RB Robert Kelley flashed some potential both as a runner and kick returner, and should remain there in 2012. Likewise with PR Derrick Strozier - he averaged over 10 yards a pop.

5 Players to watch out for

1. ATH Darion Monroe - is he a corner or receiver? Regardless he’s a four-star recruit who can make whatever unit he works with better. I say receiver, but Tulane seem to be working him out in the secondary.
2. WR Devon Breaux - he was a RB in HS but his lack of stature would suggest receiver at this level. He has great run skills but lacks the speed to be a home run threat. He should be effective in the slot though.
3. DT Kenny Welcome - he didn’t play as a freshman, but he has the size to be a factor in the middle of a UT defense that got manhandled too often last season.
4. CB Jordan Batiste - already slotted in as a starter after a fine spring, Batiste needs to continue to improve in a secondary that was 87th in passing yards in 2011. He’ll have his work cut out for him in the offensively-minded CUSA.
5. ATH Walker Van Hooser - Wilson’s younger brother is recorded as a safety on the Tulane roster, but he’s a capable receiver and could even be a QB down the road, With only three passers on the roster, a couple of injuries could put “Fudge” in a position to show what he can do.

Prediction

Surprising though it may seem, Tulane could actually be in a position to get to 6 wins this season. Their OOC isn’t horrible, and while they have to play Tulsa, SMU and Houston in the West, everyone else is beatable (yes, even Ole Miss). They need to tighten up on defense before they can really entertain any thoughts of mediocrity, but their offense is good enough to win close games. I don’t see them reaching the Promised Land of bowl eligibility just yet, but anything less than 4 wins must be considered a disappointment.