subject: 2010 Tulane Football Predictions [print this page] The Tulane Green Wave continued their struggles to win football games in 2009, as they went just 3-9 overall and were just 1-7 in Conference USA pay. The struggles are likely to continue for the Green Wave in 2010, as they have just 11 starters back for the 2010 season. To get a better idea of what the Green Wave will bring to the table this season, here is a quick breakdown of what they will send to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my thoughts on where they will finish the year in Conference USA.
Offense:
Tulane will have the majority of their starters back on the offensive side of the ball, as seven of the eleven return for the upcoming season, including sophomore starting quarterback Ryan Griffin. As a freshman Griffin started six games and ended up putting up reasonable numbers completing nearly 64% of his attempts for 1,382 yards and nine touchdowns. I look for Griffin to only get better with the more experience he gathers, so look for improved play out of the quarterback position this season.
The offense will have a new starting running back this season, as they lose Andrew Anderson, who ran for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. It looks as though it will be junior Albert Williams taking over the starting role. Williams has played in 14 games in his two years with the Green Wave, and has a pretty nice average per carry at 5.3, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him put up some pretty nice numbers this season.
In the passing game the Green Wave return senior wideout Casey Robottom, who finished second on the team with 50 catches for 584 yards and two scores, and he will be asked to step into the shoes of Jeremy Williams who led the Green Wave with 84 receptions for 1,113 yards and seven touchdowns. The Green Wave also get back senior tight end Cody Sparks, but he only had 10 catches for 81 yards a season ago.
The Green Wave only have to replace one starter on the offensive line this season, so improved play is expected up front, but they really don't have the talent to be a dominant unit. Heading into the fall sophomore LJ Abrams has the early edge to take over the open right tackle spot, after playing in four games as a backup last season.
Defense:
The Green Wave had six starters back on the defensive side of the ball last year, and watched their opponents average jump just over two points a game. This year they have just four starters returning, so I wouldn't be surprised to see this unit struggle even more in 2010.
Senior defensive tackle Justin Adams is the ony starter back on the defensive line, which is bad news for a defense that allowed 206 yards per game on the ground a year ago. Fellow senior Oscar Ponce de Leon is projected to step in and take over the other starting tackle spot, while junior Desman Moses and sophomore Austen Jacks are the prime candidates to start at the two open defensive tackle spots.
The Green Wave will turn to a couple of sophomores in Trent Mackey and Darryl Farley to lead them at the linebacker position this season, but with poor play likely coming from the front four, it will be hard for these guys to make a big impact.
The Green Wave will be the most experience this season in the secondary, as they have three starters back in the defensive backfield. Sophomore free safety Shakeil Smith and senior strong safety Alex Wacha are the top two leading tacklers back for the Green Wave, and will likely be counted on to be up there again in 2010.
CUSA WEST Prediction - 6th: Not a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to the Green Waves chances of finishing out of the bottom of the West this season. The defense is likely going to give up way to many points for the offense to even have a chance to keep them in game, and I think we could actually see the win total drop in 2010.
