Jaguar buzz: South Alabama opens season at No. 24 Tulane
WHAT: South Alabama at No. 24 Tulane
WHEN: 7 p.m., Saturday
WHERE: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans
SERIES: Tied 1-1
TV: ESPNU
LINE: Tulane by 6.5
THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: Whether the Jaguars can supplant the Green Wave as the top New Year’s Six bowl contender from the Group of 5.
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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR
1. Will the Jaguars be able to perform under the national spotlight?
South Alabama is still a young program, both overall and within the tenure of head coach Kane Wommack. With the exception of a trip to Mississippi State in 2016, the Jaguars have not generally performed well when the lights have been brightest. Are they ready to take that next step in 2023, and finish the job against a quality opponent?
2. Which veteran quarterback will shine the brightest?
Tulane’s Michael Pratt vs. South Alabama’s Carter Bradley is about as good as it gets in terms of quarterback matchups at the Group of 5 level, as both are among the most-decorated signal-callers in their programs’ history and legitimate NFL draft prospects. Both have experienced offensive lines and receiver corps, though the Jaguars might be deeper at the running back position.
3. Can South Alabama exorcise some demons in the Crescent City?
The Jaguars’ most-recent trip to New Orleans was not at all memorable, a 44-23 blowout loss to Western Kentucky in last December’s New Orleans Bowl. This visit to the Crescent City is a true road game against a ranked team, a scenario in which South Alabama has never recorded a victory. The Jaguars’ lone win over a ranked team came vs. No. 19 San Diego State in Mobile in 2016.
KEY MATCHUP
Tulane offensive line vs South Alabama defensive line: The Green Wave returns a veteran offensive front that will try to protect quarterback Michael Pratt. The D-line is the deepest position group on the Jaguars’ roster, and will look to control the game in the trenches.
BY THE NUMBERS
22 — Combined victories for South Alabama and Tulane in 2022, the most of any two FBS teams playing in Week 1.