Who Will Win the Rush Attack in Tulane-Tulsa Homecoming Clash?

Neither the Tulane Green Wave nor the Tulsa Golden Hurricane have had the best rush defenses in the American Conference as they head into their Week 10 matchup and the Green Wave’s homecoming.

In fact, it’s really the opposite. The Golden Hurricanes rank 12th in the American averaging 202.1 yards allowed on the ground per game. Tulane's defense trails right behind them at 13th with an average of 214.3 rush yards allowed per contest.

Both of these teams also played two Power Four programs in non-conference play, though Tulsa did have one FCS opponent, East Texas A&M.

What may also color the statistics for the Golden Hurricane a bit is the fact that they’ve also played three straight option teams that have worn them down on the ground as they entered conference play.

They faced the Navy Midshipmen, Rice Owls – who are running the option offense – and the Army Black Knights and went 1-2 in that slate. Their first game against the North Texas Mean Green in conference play went to overtime where they hung until the end in a 45-44 thriller.

So, that certainly colors things a bit for Tulsa. Tulane also has played Army, but they haven’t faced three consecutive weeks of that demoralizing type of ground attack.

Now, on the other hand, that also puts the Golden Hurricanes with four weeks between the last time they faced a real passing attack in North Texas, as they enjoyed their bye week this last week of play.

That might make them a bit rusty and susceptible to the passing attack. It also might mean that they’re a bit beat up and also vulnerable to a strong ground game, which regained its legs in the Wave’s win against the Charlotte 49ers.

They have a real thing going with quarterback Dagan Bruno and the packages that they have for him in short yardage and red zone situations, both of which he’s executed impressively well to start taking that task on, in those moments, midseason.

Johnnie Daniels and Maurice Turner also had a strong showing that they’ll look to build upon this weekend back at home, where multiple 200-yard performances by Tulane running backs have taken place already this season.

Trace Johnson also definitively came out of his shell against Charlotte and will look to keep building chemistry with his receivers as the team’s leader under center.

They’ve had a bye week to get healthier, but Tulane will hope that Tulsa has a bit of rust as they kick off their homecoming.