? Stop Tulane from running the ball, and you stop Tulane. The Green Wave isn?t just about the ground attack under Willie Fritz, but it?s 11th in the nation averaging close to 250 yards per game. However, they?re 0-6 when they don?t get to 225 rushing yards.
The Southern Miss run defense led Conference USA and was 14th in the nation, allowing just 112 yards per game with Mississippi State only team to run for over 200.
The nasty Golden Eagle defensive front generates constant pressure and comes up with more than its share of big plays behind the line, allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards five times.
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? Turnovers ? they?ve been a killer for Southern Miss. It gave the ball away 24 times in the regular season, with two or more in seven games, and three or more four times ? losing all four of those games.
Tulane doesn?t have a pass rush, an it isn?t great at coming up with big plays, and it didn?t generate a ton of takeaways ? just 14. Find a way to come up with two, and that could be the difference in a potentially tight game.
? No, Southern Miss doesn?t allow a whole lot of sacks, but it has a problem allowing tackles for loss. Tulane might not generate bulk plays behind the line, but it?s able to do just enough to at least be disruptive against the run.
USM doesn?t run the ball ? it has to throw to win. The Green Wave secondary hasn?t allowed anyone to his more than 59% of their passes since October, and only allowed more than 60% twice on the year. The run D won?t be a problem in this.
? It?s Justin McMillan?s moment. The Tulane QB started out at LSU and turned into Tulane?s do-it-all playmaker, growing in the role after taking over halfway through last year. Known mostly for his running ability early on, he?s shown the ability to come up with the big plays in key moments from time-to-time.
As long as he?s hitting on his third down plays ? with his legs as well as his arm ? and connect on a few big plays here and there, the rest of the dangerous backfield should be able to take care of the rest of the offense.
The Southern Miss run defense led Conference USA and was 14th in the nation, allowing just 112 yards per game with Mississippi State only team to run for over 200.
The nasty Golden Eagle defensive front generates constant pressure and comes up with more than its share of big plays behind the line, allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards five times.
..........
? Turnovers ? they?ve been a killer for Southern Miss. It gave the ball away 24 times in the regular season, with two or more in seven games, and three or more four times ? losing all four of those games.
Tulane doesn?t have a pass rush, an it isn?t great at coming up with big plays, and it didn?t generate a ton of takeaways ? just 14. Find a way to come up with two, and that could be the difference in a potentially tight game.
? No, Southern Miss doesn?t allow a whole lot of sacks, but it has a problem allowing tackles for loss. Tulane might not generate bulk plays behind the line, but it?s able to do just enough to at least be disruptive against the run.
USM doesn?t run the ball ? it has to throw to win. The Green Wave secondary hasn?t allowed anyone to his more than 59% of their passes since October, and only allowed more than 60% twice on the year. The run D won?t be a problem in this.
? It?s Justin McMillan?s moment. The Tulane QB started out at LSU and turned into Tulane?s do-it-all playmaker, growing in the role after taking over halfway through last year. Known mostly for his running ability early on, he?s shown the ability to come up with the big plays in key moments from time-to-time.
As long as he?s hitting on his third down plays ? with his legs as well as his arm ? and connect on a few big plays here and there, the rest of the dangerous backfield should be able to take care of the rest of the offense.
