Tulane Green Wave

@

Army Knights

By: Patrick Harkness

Spread: Tulane -5

Total: 45.5

Tulane travels to Michie Stadium in West Point, New York to square off against the Army Knights. Jeff Monken is in his 11th year with the Army Knights and has an overall record of 80-56. Their offense mainly consists of flexbone options, pistol options, and shotgun. They're ranked 134 passing with 89 yards average, 1st in the nation running the ball at 312 yards a game, and 32nd for points scored at 32. Defensively (3-4 multiple) they are ranked 8th in the nation for points against, ranked first in the AAC for least amount of yards per game at 295, 5th in the AAC for passing at 220 yards a game, and 1st in the AAC for stopping the run at 103 yards a game.   

Offense

Quarterback- Mensah

Army is a very good run defensive team, and we all know Tulane loves to run the football. Let's hope this Tulane team has a little trick up their sleeve and try to start this game with some shots down field. Opening up the passing attack and try to get some yards against a weak Army secondary that is prone to giving up some big plays. It's time to let Mensah to put this team on his shoulders and show the college football world how great of a quarterback he is going to be. 

Army QB Bryson Dailey- There are running quarterbacks and then there is Bryson Dailey. Through the air he has 860 yards with 8 touchdowns and 1 interception, with a 56-completion percentage. The guy is basically a running back who has some passing skills; he has totaled 1,348 yards rushing with 25 touchdowns.     

Ty Thompson

If Tulane is trying to play catch up all game, we may not see Ty for another week.

Running Back

It may be a very hard day for the Tulane running backs to get going. Army has a very good defensive front led by linebacker Andon Thomas 75 tackles on the year, a sack, and an interception. It would be nice to see Makhi and Shadie help out in the passing game but If Tulane can get their running game going against this Army team, they should be able to handle their business all game long.   

Receiving Game

The receiving game of Tulane must step up and play a much better game than they did last week on Thanksgiving night. Drop passes and fumbles in the rezone will cost any team a W. They have a chance against this Army secondary to rack up some yards and make some big plays. Army does have some guys who can get their hands on the ball. Casey Larkin the linebacker/safety has three picks and Corner Jaydan Mayes does as well. 3 other guys for Army have 2 picks on the year Justin Weaver, Donavon Platt, and Max Didemencio.   

Offensive Line

The offensive line of Tulane must play better in the run blocking scheme if the Wave come out like usual and try to get the run game going. All five of the starters from this Unit received some sort of all conference honors which is well deserved by their play all year long. They are some of the best pass pro blockers out there, but Army does have a strong front seven they will have to deal with. Elo Modzie, the pass rushing linebacker, leads the team with 4.5 sacks. Kyle Lewis the 6-3 280 NT has 4 sacks on the year, the other blitzing linebacker Brett Gerena has 3 sacks followed by the defensive lineman Kody Harris-Miller with 2 sacks. 

X Factor: Throw the ball and challenge the secondary

Defense

Defensive Line 

This game will be won or lost in the trenches especially by a team like Army who loves to use the option run to the fullest. The defensive front of Tulane must be able to create havoc in the backfield and disrupt the option offense quickly. The defensive ends and Linebackers must also be on the same page with one group having to decide to take the quarterback and the other to stay in the running backs. Mathew Fobbs White could have a big game. Bryson Dailey (QB), Cayenne Udoh (RB), and Noah Short (RB) is Armies three headed option running monster they must shut down and try to force them to beat them through the air.

Linebackers

Sam Howard and Tyler Grubbs need to be on a mission in this game. After a bad defensive performance last week these two must step up and lead the defense to a victory by helping slow down the running attack of Army. The defensive ends and linebackers have to be on the same page in order to have success against this style of offense Army runs.

Secondary

Army is not known for throwing the ball, but they do have a couple of guys Tulane must account for. Wide Receiver Casey Reynolds leads the team in all categories with 16 catches, 409 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back Noah Short can come out of the backfield and make some plays in the passing game, catching 15 passes for 305 yards and 3 touchdowns. Look for Caleb Ransaw and Bailey Despaine to be used a lot in this game to help out with the option attack of Army. 

X Factor: Load the Box and stop the Run. Make Byrson beat you through the air.

Special Teams

Kicker/Punter/Return Game

K- Patrick Durkin went 3 for 3 on extra points and hit a 44 yarder last game 

P-Will Karrol had 3 punts for 100 yards averaging 33.3 with a long of 37 last game

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Roll Wave!!

This is Patrick Harkness and you can follow me on X @RollDatWave and @BeInTheKneaux everywhere.