2013 Tulane Spring Football Analysis

Tulane Green Wave 2013 ... Head Coach: Curtis Johnson

Tulane Green Wave

2013 Schedule
8/31 Jackson State
9/7 South Alabama
9/14 at Louisiana Tech
9/21 at Syracuse
9/28 at ULM
10/5 North Texas
10/12 East Carolina
10/19 OPEN DATE
10/26 Tulsa
11/2 at Florida Atlantic
11/9 at UTSA
11/16 OPEN DATE
11/23 UTEP
11/30 at Rice

Why To Get Excited … the Green Wave believes it’s sowing the seeds of hope, even if the juiciest fruit isn’t ripe until 2014. A year from now, Tulane will be a member of the Big East, and will be playing in a new 30,000-seat, on-campus stadium. Both are important steps forward for second-year head coach Curtis Johnson, who has inked a notable transfer for each side of the ball, QB Nick Montana from Washington and DT Chris Davenport from LSU.

Why To Be Grouchy … ten consecutive losing seasons have a way of crushing a brand and dispersing a fan base. The Green Wave has won just two games in each of the last two years, and now is being forced to replace QB Ryan Griffin, one of the team’s top offensive producers. Maybe Montana is the answer. But even if he fills the void behind center, Tulane is so needy in so many spots that it’s highly doubtful it’ll snap the postseason drought.

The Number One Thing To Work On Is … unleashing the running backs. What better way to support a new quarterback than by giving him a quality ground game? RB Orleans Darkwa is in great shape, and is getting healthy, looking as if he plans to make a salary drive in his final year. Juniors Rob Kelley and Dante Butler will serve as powerful complements. Tulane, though, must improve at the point of attack, meaning the four returning starting linemen have to perform markedly better than they did in 2012.

Non-Conference Games: Jackson State, South Alabama, at Syracuse, at ULM
Games Against the East: East Carolina, at Florida Atlantic
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Worst Case Record: 4-8
Likely Finish: 6-6

Pre-Preseason Projected Wins: Jackson State, South Alabama, North Texas, at Florida Atlantic, at UTSA, UTEP

Pre-Preseason Projected Losses: at Louisiana Tech, at Syracuse, at ULM, East Carolina, Tulsa, at Rice

Schedule Analysis: This should be one of the league’s up-and-coming teams, and a 2-0 start against Jackson State and South Alabama should help get everything ready for the Conference USA opener at Louisiana Tech. While there’s only one game outside of Louisiana until November – going to Syracuse on September 21st - a run of three straight September road games will be tough. East Carolina and Tulsa might be the league’s two best teams, but they’re coming to the Superdome wrapped around a much-needed bye week. Going on the road in early November to face Florida Atlantic and UTSA shouldn’t be too bad, and there’s a week off to get ready for UTEP in the home finale. Closing out the regular season at Rice might be a problem.

Team Concerns For 2013: The Green Wave needs to stop the run. The offense might not have cranked out a ton of yards in Curtis Johnson's first season, but the passing game started to work despite the problems in pass protection. The nation's second-worst running game has to be better, but that will only come if the line is far better. The O will come around, but the defense needs to be far more physical after finishing last in the league against the run and second-to-last in scoring and total D.

The 2013 Class Is Heavy On ... Quarterbacks. With starter Ryan Griffin done, three big passers are coming in with JUCO transfer Nick Montana looking to fill the void immediately after starting out his career at Washington. The secondary is getting the most overall help with safety Nico Marley leading a deep class and Richard Allen and Parry Nickerson adding speed to the outside. Local product, guard Kenneth Santa Marina, is the team's best prospect and needs to add more to the ground game as soon as possible.

2012 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 88. That Class Was Heavy On ... Players who do what Curtis Johnson will want. The Green Wave has to get the passing game going, and Johnson, the new head man, will want to wing the ball all over the yard. Quarterback is fine for the next two years, but the position will be an issue by 2014. Upgrading the pass catchers and the team speed will be vital, even with last year’s class focusing on the receivers. 

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 108. That Class Was Heavy On ... Pass catchers. The Green Wave got plenty of receivers in 2009, and while there aren’t any sure-thing stars in this class, there’s strength in numbers. Marc Edwards is the most promising prospect of the bunch, and quick Devin Boutte is promising. Tight end was a target with three new recruits including Greg Thomson out of Syracuse and pass catcher Josh Drum. Safety Renaldo Thomas needs to be a starter sooner than later.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 88. That Class Was Heavy On ... Linebackers. The Green Wave has to do something about its defense, and while there isn't any instant help from this class, there are plenty of safety-sized athletes who will upgrade the athleticism and the potential. Ray Oppman will be a fixture on the inside within the next three years, while Zach Davis could be an ideal strong safety or a dangerous playmaker as an outside linebacker. Jamar Thomas has the potential to be the next great Green Wave running back.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 79. That Class Was Heavy On ... receivers. When Jeremy Williams was injured last season, the Green Wave passing attack virtually shut down. That lack of depth and reliable options at wide receiver has prompted Bob Toledo to scour Texas and Louisiana high schools for offensive weapons that can stretch a defense. While there are no sure-things in the group, D.J. Banks and Devin Figaro look like pretty good prospects, and the quantity alone should reap a productive player or two.