It’s a battle of the AAC and the Sun Belt, two conferences on the rise. This South Alabama Jaguars vs. Tulane Green Wave prediction gives us a glimpse of the two teams and their lofty goals but gives the casual fan an opportunity to grow.
South Alabama vs. Tulane Betting and DFS Preview
- Spread
Tulane -6.5 - Moneyline
Tulane -245, South Alabama +200 - Over/Under
52.5 total points - Game time
8 p.m. ET - Location
Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA - Predicted Weather at Kick
90 degrees, scattered thunderstorms, 9 mph winds - How to Watch
FuboTV,ESPNU
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
All values below come from FanDuel’s multi-team entries for the weekend. Looking to sign up for FanDuel? New customers bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets guaranteed. Click here for more details.
Looking for each team’s depth chart? Click the appropriate link to view.
South Alabama Depth Chart | Tulane Depth Chart
- QB Carter Bradley, South Alabama
- RB La’Damian Webb, South Alabama
- WR Caulin Lacy, South Alabama
- WR Devin Voisin, South Alabama
- WR Jamaal Pritchett, South Alabama
- WR Javon Ivory, South Alabama
- TE Brandon Crum, South Alabama
- QB Michael Pratt, Tulane
- RB Shedro Louis, Tulane
- RB Shaadie Clayton-Johnson, Tulane
- RB Iverson Celestine, Tulane
- WR Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane
- WR Lawrence Keys III, Tulane
While there aren’t any DFS picks at the time of writing, both teams feature a number of players that will help your fantasy lineups.
Everyone’s focused on Carter Bradley and Michael Pratt, and for good reason. Both players put up career numbers in 2022 and helped lead their teams to double-digit wins. Now, they face off in a game with major implications.
South Alabama’s offense benefitted from Major Applewhite calling plays. His time at Houston as their head coach was rough, but he’s proven that he can still call plays like the best of them.
Bradley will lead the show, and he has an arsenal full of talent around him. Devin Voisin, Caulin Lacy, Jamaal Pritchett, and Javon Ivory give him depth at receiver, and running back La’Damian Webb’s coming off a 1,000-yard season. The Jags should put up points this year thanks to that talent.
Tulane’s no slouch this year, either. Pratt is the best value in this offense thanks to his ability to throw and run, and the real question remains: who else will step up and become a mainstay in this offense?
Pratt’s never had a receiver catch more than 35 passes in a season, a testament to his ability to distribute the ball evenly. Jha’Quan Jackson’s been a steady contributor for the past three years as a receiver and a returner, so he’s a solid option. Liberty transfer Shedro Louis can be a versatile weapon out of the backfield, too.
Prediction for South Alabama vs. Tulane
If you’re a casual college football fan looking to grow the depth of your love for the game, then South Alabama and Tulane give you that opportunity. These two teams exceeded expectations in 2022, but both hope to build upon that success in 2023.
Tulane saw Michael Pratt take a step forward to the tune of 3,009 yards and 27 touchdowns passing. He played a huge role in leading the Green Wave to an AAC Championship and helped them stun USC in the Cotton Bowl.
The biggest questions for Tulane are the skill positions on offense and linebacker on defense. Willie Fritz has done a great job of bringing in good fits to contribute, and that continues this year.
The running back competition was already tight with Shaadie Clayton-Johnson and Iverson Celestine, but the staff went out and added Liberty transfer Shedro Louis to the mix. Jha’Quan Jackson and Lawrence Keys III look to take bigger roles as receivers, though Pratt’s proven that he won’t hone in on one guy to make plays.
Nick Anderson and Dorian Williams leave big shoes to fill defensively, but the staff snagged Louisiana Tech transfer Tyler Grubbs from the portal to help. The defensive line is loaded again, and the secondary should be solid despite a few key losses.
South Alabama will test Tulane plenty this weekend. Tulane’s offense is good, but the Jaguars also boast an explosive unit. Carter Bradley had a breakout season last year, and he’s back to bring them to a conference championship.
Joining him in the backfield is 1,000-yard rusher La’Damian Webb, and the pass catchers feature a three-headed monster in Devin Voisin, Caulin Lacy, and Javon Ivory. This group should challenge the Green Wave defense, and their success determines how much pressure the defense feels.
South Alabama’s front seven remains an underrated group, but don’t sleep on them. Jamie Sheriff and Wy’Kevious Thomas lead the way up front, while Trey Kiser is a natural playmaker at linebacker. Behind them, Yam Banks returns after a career season, while Jaden Voisin and Keith Gallmon Jr. return to help him out.
It’s safe to say this should be an entertaining game that will help shape the race for the Group of 5’s spot in the New Year’s Six bowl game.
Prediction>South Alabama 33, Tulane 31