Tulane established itself as one of the premier Group of Five programs in 2022.
The Green Wave went 12-2 overall. They defeated UCF in the American Athletic Conference Championship after losing to the Knights earlier in the year. Then Tulane capped off the season by defeating Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and USC in the Cotton Bowl.
Will Tulane experience a letdown in 2023, or will the program continue that level of success this season?
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Tulane Football’s AAC Title Odds
Tulane has the best odds to win the AAC at +250, via BetMGM.
Tulane Football’s Over/Under Win Total
Tulane’s win total Over/Under is 9, with both Under 9 and Over 9 at -110.
Tulane Football’s Schedule
9/2 vs South Alabama
9/9 vs Ole Miss
9/16 at Southern Miss
9/23 vs Nicholls
9/30 vs UAB
10/13 at Memphis
10/21 vs North Texas
10/28 at Rice
11/4 at East Carolina
11/11 vs Tulsa
11/18 at FAU
11/25 vs UTSA
Bold indicates AAC contests.
Key Tulane Football Returners
2022 All-AAC 1st Team
OL Prince Pines
OL Sincere Haynesworth
CB Jarius Monroe
2nd Team
QB Michael Pratt
DL Darius Hodges
DL Patrick Jenkins
P Casey Glover
RS Jha’Quan Jackson
Michael Pratt To Lead Tulane’s Offense Once Again
Tulane returns one of the best G5 quarterbacks in Michael Pratt.
Among returning AAC signal callers, Pratt was the leader last season with 27 touchdown passes. He also totaled 3,010 yards while completing 64% of his throws and recording just five interceptions. He added 478 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Pratt, a junior, led all true freshmen with 20 touchdown passes in 2020. A year later, he made the All-AAC honorable mention list as he totaled 2,544 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns.
Tyjae Spears, the AAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, is now with the Tennessee Titans. But Tulane picked up former Liberty running back Shedro Louis, who ran for 529 yards and eight touchdowns on 122 carries last year. Shaadie Clayton-Johnson (333 rushing yards and two touchdowns) and Iverson Celestine (306 rushing yards) are also returning after making contributions for the Green Wave last season.
Shae Wyatt, who led the team with 35 receptions, 692 yards, and seven touchdowns, is gone. Jha’Quan Jackson, who caught 33 passes for 554 yards and three touchdowns last season, as well as Lawrence Keys III, who added 296 yards and two touchdowns on 30 catches, and tight end Alex Bauman, who added 112 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions, are among Tulane’s top pass catchers who return. The Green Wave also picked up wide receivers Yulkeith Brown (Texas A&M) and Dontae Fleming (Louisiana) as well as tight end Chris Carter (USF) via the transfer portal.
Tulane’s offensive line helped the Green Wave finish third in the conference in rushing yards per game (204.8) but allowed the fifth-most sacks (29) last season. But the group has some standout returners.
Prince Pines and Sincere Haynesworth, who both made the All-AAC first team in 2022, as well as Rashad Green are among Tulane’s O-linemen who return after starting at least 13 games last season. Tulane also added former LSU offensive lineman Cameron Wire this offseason.
Jarius Monroe Among Returning Stars For Tulane’s Defense
For how strong Tulane was on offense, the team also had a stellar defense last season. The Green Wave were among the top three AAC defenses with 22.2 points and 360.4 yards per game allowed.
Tulane’s top five tacklers from last season are gone. That includes Dorian Williams, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round.
But seven of the Green Wave’s top 12 tacklers are back. Many of those players will be seeking to step up into more expanded roles in 2023.
Jarius Monroe is their leading returning tackler after recording 49 last year. The first-team All-AAC cornerback also led the team with three interceptions and eight pass breakups.
Patrick Jenkins made the All-AAC second team in 2022. The defensive lineman paced Tulane with nine tackles for loss to go with 39 tackles, three sacks, and four quarterback hurries.
Darius Hodges will likely be Tulane’s top pass rusher. The second-team All-AAC defensive lineman tied Williams for the most sacks among Tulane players with five and had a team-high eight quarterback hurries while chipping in 39 tackles and eight TFLs.
Tulane sought to bolster its defense by adding former Louisiana Tech linebacker Tyler Grubbs, former Northwestern defensive back A.J. Hampton, former Louisiana safety Kam Pedescleaux, and former Wofford defensive back Tahir Annoor.
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Tulane Football Season Prediction
Tulane will win the AAC and will be victorious in 10 regular season games.
The Green Wave are ready to win again in 2023. They have a quarterback who has already proven he can guide the team to success, and their supporting cast is incredibly strong as well. They’re the No. 1 team in the 2023 HERO Sports G5 Preseason Top 25 Rankings for a reason.
I believe Tulane will be 3-1 against non-conference opponents. While the Green Wave can defeat South Alabama and Nicholls at home as well as Southern Miss on the road, I’m anticipating they’ll lose to Ole Miss.
But from that point, I think the Green Wave will only lose one AAC contest. I certainly believe they’re better than UAB, North Texas, Rice, East Carolina, and Tulsa.
Tulane’s matchups with Memphis and FAU on the road as well as its clash with UTSA at home in its regular season finale will be the most challenging. But I believe the Green Wave can win two of those three games.
If Tulane only drops two contests all season again, that would be another fantastic campaign.
