Southeastern Louisiana Lions @ Tulane Green Wave Preview

For most Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams, a home opener versus a middling squad from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) is lay-up, a great way to iron out the kinks and start the season with a win in front of the home folks.  That’s not the case for coach Bob Toledo’s Toledo Green Wave, a team that has neither the talent nor experience to take any game for granted. When Tulane takes to the Superdome turf on Thursday, it has to mind its Ps and Qs and establish a different tone. This is what life is like for a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2002.

Tulane Sophomore quarterback Ryan Griffin (141-of-222, 1,382 yards, 9 touchdowns in 2009) shows all the signs of becoming one of the top signal callers in Conference USA.  Unfortunately, the Tulane attack lacks proven running mates for Griffin. Last season’s leading receiver, Jeremy Williams, graduated along with 1,000-yard rusher Andre Anderson.  Senior receiver Casey Robottom (50 receptions, 584 yards, 2 touchdowns) will be Griffin’s primary target. The two will need to be precise in this season opener, since the Southeastern Louisiana defense returns 10 starters and sports one of the better defenses in all of the FCS.  

When Southeast Louisiana has the ball, here’s what to look for inside the big dome: Entering the 2010 season, the Green Wave defense has to be considered one of the weakest units in the FBS.  The visiting Lions, led by quarterback Tyler Beatty, a Baylor transfer, will test Tulane’s secondary and pass rush alike.  Transfer defensive end Dezman Moses and transfer linebacker Trent Mackey should help Tulane in its attempt to harass Beatty. Meanwhile the addition of an extra nickel back in special situations may help with the back line of defense.  If the Green Wave doesn’t receive step-up performances throughout their defensive roster, Beatty and Southeastern Louisiana could walk out of the Louisiana Superdome as winners Thursday night.

In addition to the pass rush and the secondary, Tulane’s lack of depth also shows up in its kick coverage and kick return units, which were among the worst in the FBS last season.  Southeastern Louisiana has enough speed in its return game to exploit Tulane’s weaknesses. Both teams are breaking in new kickers in this game, with redshirt freshman Ryan Rome taking over kicking duties for Tulane.

Not to be too dramatic, but this is a must-win game for the Green Wave.  Coach Mike Lucas’s Southeastern Louisiana squad won’t be an easy out, which means that Tulane had better come out flying Thursday night. Otherwise, the Green Wave will drown in misery; that’s not how they want to start their 2010 season.