Tulane Green Wave 2021 Schedule Breakdown, Predictions and Analysis Part 1: Non-Conference Games
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/7/3...c-analysis
September 25 - UAB
University of Alabama Birmingham vs Tulane University
This could shape up to be the most interesting matchup of the season, not just the non-conference slate. It’s always exciting when Tulane meets UAB. Three years ago the Blazers won when the Wave played the ugliest game of their entire season. A myriad of uncharacteristic mistakes doomed them in Alabama. That year UAB went on to finish with a program-rejuvenating 11-3 record that included a C-USA championship and a Boca Raton Bowl victory.
This year’s Blazer team could present an equally tough test despite the game being at home because much of that 2018 squad is still around. Quarterback Tyler Johnston III is back for his senior season as is receiver Trae Shropshire. Last fall Johnston split the signal-calling duties and threw for over 800 yards and seven touchdowns. Shropshire finished third on the team with 310 receiving yards and two scores. These two look to be leaders of this offense now and could be finding their rhythm by this game rolls around.
The good news for Tulane is that running back Spencer Brown is no longer in the equation. Brown finished his career at UAB with over 4,000 rushing yards and ran for over 100 the last time the Wave faced him but has since departed for the NFL. Sophomore DeWayne McBride will likely be the one to take Brown’s place. In 2020, he ran for 429 yards and found the end zone four times. With the bulk of the workload on the ground expected to go his way, there’ll have to be special attention paid to McBride.
Mistakes will be costly against UAB and safety Will Boler is a big reason why. He has 97 total tackles on his career as well as nine defended passes and one interception. If Pratt doesn’t know where he is at all times, this year’s edition of Tulane v UAB could go down just like the 2018 one.
The Prediction: This is going to be a good old fashioned, back-and-forth duel to the end. Pratt and Johnston will trade shots and it may very well come down to the final possession. The ground games won’t necessarily be rendered null but the fireworks will definitely come primarily through air. Tulane will make a huge defensive play at the end to seal a hard-fought and much needed victory before conference play begins.
Final: Tulane 35 - UAB 31