Five Questions: Oklahoma vs. Tulane
Welcome to Five Questions, a weekly article featuring insights from experts on the Oklahoma Sooners’ upcoming opponents. For week three, Payton Guthrie spoke with Matthew Postins, writer for Heartland College Sports, about what to expect from the Tulane Green Wave against the Oklahoma Sooners in the third week of the college football season.
FIVE QUESTIONS: OKLAHOMA VS. Tulane
Payton Guthrie - What is your expectation for the Tulane football season and how has the first two weeks of the season impacted that outlook?
Matthew Postins - I expected the Green Wave to contend for the American Athletic Conference title before the season and that expectation hasn't changed after two games. I think the Kansas State game showed that this team is capable of not only winning the AAC title for the second time in three years, but being in the conversation for the Group of Five berth in the expanded College Football Playoff.
Payton Guthrie - What will Tulane try to do on offense against the OU defense and get the Sooners on the back foot?
Matthew Postins - Elevating Darian Mensah to starting quarterback was the first huge move by coach Jon Sumrall and in doing so, he made the offense more explosive. Mensah can run and pass, and in the latter department he's accelerating quickly. The expectations around quarterback with no college experience should be low, especially when it comes to accuracy. He's proven to be an accurate passer with good ball placement on medium and deep routes. He is surrounded by an experienced team, including running back Makhi Hughes, an all-conference back. The transfer of former USC wide receiver Mario Williams has given him a huge target. The offensive line has all-conference talent returning.
All of that is to say that Tulane can do what it wants on offense. But I expect them to come out and focus on establishing Hughes early. A solid run game in a road game can quiet a crowd fast. If Tulane is able to establish the run, Mensah's job gets so much easier.
Payton Guthrie - How will Tulane try to defend against the Oklahoma offense? Does the lackluster offensive display against Houston give Tulane some points of attack?
Matthew Postins - I was surprised at how much OU struggled against Houston. The Cougars brought in more than 30 new transfers, plus a new recruiting class, under coach Willie Fritz (who happens to be Tulane's old coach). Houston was dominated by UNLV the previous week. But Fritz knows how to attack power conference teams. On defense, it starts with an aggressive pass rush and holding the edge against the run. I suspect Tulane will work to get Patrick Jenkins, their all-conference pass rusher going. In fact, Tulane getting the pass rush going is key. The Green Wave only have two sacks in two games. If Tulane can get more pressure around OU quarterback Jackson Arnold, perhaps they can create an extra mistake or two.
Payton Guthrie - What Tulane players do OU fans need to keep an eye out for during the game?
Matthew Postins - Aside from the ones already mentioned, keep an eye on defensive back Rayshawn Pleasant. He returned an interception for 100 yards for a touchdown against SE Louisiana in the opener. Another defensive back, Bailey Despaine, leads the team with 11 tackles.
While Williams dominates the conversation at wide receiver and will probably get plenty of attention from the OU secondary, Yulkeith Brown was a relied-upon receiver last season who only has four catches so far and could be pivotal if the Sooners can shut down Williams.
Payton Guthrie - Score Prediction?
Matthew Postins - Tulane had every chance to win against Kansas State but fell short. It's going to be harder on the road. I've been to OU games and it's such a difficult place to play. OU needs the win because Tennessee is next as SEC play begins. It will be just like last week for Tulane. It will be tight and the Green Wave will come up just short.
Oklahoma 31, Tulane 28
What are your score predictions? Post them in the comments.