(01-02-2023 05:25 PM)GreenFreakUAB Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 05:20 PM)GeminiCoog Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 05:03 PM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 05:00 PM)GeminiCoog Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 04:48 PM)SouthEastAlaska Wrote:  I agree, I can't believe they didn't call it... As JR stated in another thread they really need to define it better

According to the rules analyst during the broadcast, the officials are looking for the actual crown of the helmet being used when the ball carrier, regardless of the position, becomes a non-defenseless runner. The USC player used the front of the helmet. (Which is also why targeting wasn't called against TCU at the end of the Fiesta Bowl.)

Yeah, as if a direct high speed helmet-to-helmet hit with the forehead part of the helmet is any less devastating -- to both players. If that wasn't targeting the rule needs to be changed.

I don't disagree, Mongoose. I'm right there with ya. I'm just going off what the rules analyst was saying.

it was definitely targeting, but I think Tulane ended up better off having some space to run routes... GO GREEN (WAVE)!!!

I think that's actually a fair point.

(01-02-2023 05:43 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 05:37 PM)Poster Wrote:  What happened on the kickoff return?


I stopped watching when it was 45-30. I turned the TV back on when I checked my phone and it said it was 45-39.

USC player dropped it out of bounds at the 1. 2 plays later, sacked for a safety.

Stuffed the runner for a safety actually.

1. This is the best Tulane game ever. I don't think there will be a better one.
2. Lincoln Riley gonna peak Lincoln Riley.
3. Caleb Williams is an NFL quarterback. He makes throws that are just silly.

Congrats to Tulane. The entire Sooner Nation celebrates with you. Your win was better than any of the six we had this season.

When Tulane was up 45-30, I thought this looked a lot like a Riley-era game vs. an outmanned opponent. High scoring on both sides, just getting by on talent. I did remember that OU barely escaped last year against Tulane in the game that was moved due to the hurricane. I gave up and went to the store. On the radio, the USC broadcasters were already talking about next year's schedule. I went inside the store, got some things, got back in the car, and Tulane had cut it to 45-39 and was driving for the winning TD. I switched satellite radio channels from the USC call on channel 84 to the Brad Sham ESPN neutral call on channel 80.

Great, great win for Tulane.

(01-02-2023 05:24 PM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 05:20 PM)GeminiCoog Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 05:03 PM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 05:00 PM)GeminiCoog Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 04:48 PM)SouthEastAlaska Wrote:  I agree, I can't believe they didn't call it... As JR stated in another thread they really need to define it better

According to the rules analyst during the broadcast, the officials are looking for the actual crown of the helmet being used when the ball carrier, regardless of the position, becomes a non-defenseless runner. The USC player used the front of the helmet. (Which is also why targeting wasn't called against TCU at the end of the Fiesta Bowl.)

Yeah, as if a direct high speed helmet-to-helmet hit with the forehead part of the helmet is any less devastating -- to both players. If that wasn't targeting the rule needs to be changed.

I don't disagree, Mongoose. I'm right there with ya. I'm just going off what the rules analyst was saying.

Sorry, didn't mean to imply any criticism of the post. My criticism was only of the current version of the rule and its interpretation. I appreciate you sharing the explanation and rule details.

Nah, it's okay. It's the internet. (And I could've read between the lines and gotten that if I had taken a few more seconds before posting.) Besides, as GreenFreakUAB pointed out, it ended up benefiting them by allowing them to have more room for their passing game.

oliveandblue: Congratulations, man! I hope this is the start of a long period of success for your football program.

What a thriller. Congrats Tulane and good luck to you and the AAC from here on out.

First, congrats to Tulane and USC both for giving us a tremendously exciting game. That was fun to watch.

I wonder why Lincoln Riley, with USC on its one-yard line, didn't have his running backs push Caleb Williams from behind to simply power the ball forward to the, say, three-yard line (for some breathing space). Of even having Williams roll out. But handing off in an effort to force it up the gut? A questionable call (that clearly backfired).

The kick-off reception boner by the USC special teams player was brutal for the Trojans.

Most folks considered the 1998 Tulane team that went 12-0 to be of Top 10 caliber, as it finished ranked No. 7 in the final. That was a strong team, capable of beating just about any team ranked No. 5 or lower that season. This Green Wave team, however, seems better. It's a lot bigger and more physical. Will be interesting to see where Tulane finishes in the final polls. I would think about No. 12-13. But No. 10 would be very deserving.

I give Tulane permission to finish ahead of FSU.

(01-02-2023 06:54 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  First, congrats to Tulane and USC both for giving us a tremendously exciting game. That was fun to watch.

I wonder why Lincoln Riley, with USC on its one-yard line, didn't have his running backs push Caleb Williams from behind to simply power the ball forward to the, say, three-yard line (for some breathing space). Of even having Williams roll out. But handing off in an effort to force it up the gut? A questionable call (that clearly backfired).

The kick-off reception boner by the USC special teams player was brutal for the Trojans.

Most folks considered the 1998 Tulane team that went 12-0 to be of Top 10 caliber, as it finished ranked No. 7 in the final. That was a strong team, capable of beating just about any team ranked No. 5 or lower that season. This Green Wave team, however, seems better. It's a lot bigger and more physical. Will be interesting to see where Tulane finishes in the final polls. I would think about No. 12-13. But No. 10 would be very deserving.

Not sure where they will finish, I’d guess very close to #10, but with quality road and neutral wins over the big 12 champ and pac runner up, they have a whole lot to be proud of.

As for USC, it feels like Riley just moved his entire concept west. Out-talent lesser teams, don’t worry about defense, and mostly lose the games that matter against similarly talented but better-coached teams. He would have gotten murdered in the SEC if he hadn’t high tailed it once he found out where OU was headed.

(01-02-2023 07:23 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 06:54 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  First, congrats to Tulane and USC both for giving us a tremendously exciting game. That was fun to watch.

I wonder why Lincoln Riley, with USC on its one-yard line, didn't have his running backs push Caleb Williams from behind to simply power the ball forward to the, say, three-yard line (for some breathing space). Of even having Williams roll out. But handing off in an effort to force it up the gut? A questionable call (that clearly backfired).

The kick-off reception boner by the USC special teams player was brutal for the Trojans.

Most folks considered the 1998 Tulane team that went 12-0 to be of Top 10 caliber, as it finished ranked No. 7 in the final. That was a strong team, capable of beating just about any team ranked No. 5 or lower that season. This Green Wave team, however, seems better. It's a lot bigger and more physical. Will be interesting to see where Tulane finishes in the final polls. I would think about No. 12-13. But No. 10 would be very deserving.

Not sure where they will finish, I’d guess very close to #10, but with quality road and neutral wins over the big 12 champ and pac runner up, they have a whole lot to be proud of.

As for USC, it feels like Riley just moved his entire concept west. Out-talent lesser teams, don’t worry about defense, and mostly lose the games that matter against similarly talented but better-coached teams. He would have gotten murdered in the SEC if he hadn’t high tailed it once he found out where OU was headed.

Yeah I don't agree at all, Riley can recruit anywhere. If he was in the SEC he would have consistently had teams that won 9 or 10 games. His problem is a coaching one, he's not very good. Any time he goes against really good coaches he gets his lunch money taken. Regardless of conference he has very little chance of ever winning a title because he will always be competing against the greatest minds in the game at that level. Just my opinion

With 4:30 left, USC had a 99.8% chance to win.

With just 31 seconds left, it was still 98.7%.

As others have said, Riley gonna Riley.

(01-02-2023 08:15 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  With 4:30 left, USC had a 99.8% chance to win.

With just 31 seconds left, it was still 98.7%.

As others have said, Riley gonna Riley.

Unbelievable

(01-02-2023 06:46 PM)johnintx Wrote:  On the radio, the USC broadcasters were already talking about next year's schedule. I went inside the store, got some things, got back in the car, and Tulane had cut it to 45-39 and was driving for the winning TD. I switched satellite radio channels from the USC call on channel 84 to the Brad Sham ESPN neutral call on channel 80.

Brad Sham is a great announcer. He is the play by play voice of the Cowboys since 1984, having replaced Verne Lundquist when Verne went to CBS.

(01-02-2023 07:23 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 06:54 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  Will be interesting to see where Tulane finishes in the final polls. I would think about No. 12-13. But No. 10 would be very deserving.

Not sure where they will finish, I’d guess very close to #10…

I really think there is a strong case for us to be #9. That’s behind all P5 teams with 2 (or less) losses, but ahead of all P5 teams with 3 (or more) losses.

#1. Georgia (14-0)
#2. TCU (13-1)
#3. Michigan (13-1)
#4. Ohio State (11-2)
#5. Alabama (11-2)
#6. Tennessee (11-2)
#7. Penn State (11-2)
#8. Washington (11-2)
#9. Tulane (12-2)
and then the teams with 3 losses.

And honestly I would personally put us at #8 ahead of Washington, but I’m trying to anticipate what the pollsters will do.

As to the Cotton Bowl game itself, I am thrilled that I got to witness that in person, and that I stayed until the very end (not everyone did). That is the most significant football victory Tulane has achieved in my lifetime, and I don’t really expect them to top it until I’m gone, LOL.

And yes, I admit at 45-30, I thought we were definitely going to lose. A stunning reversal of fortune.

This is probably a bigger upset than the BSU Fiesta Bowl when you look at the talent disparity in the trenches and outside. That safety, while not as sexy a play, was probably the best defensive plays all year.

(01-02-2023 06:25 PM)oliveandblue Wrote:  1. This is the best Tulane game ever. I don't think there will be a better one.
2. Lincoln Riley gonna peak Lincoln Riley.
3. Caleb Williams is an NFL quarterback. He makes throws that are just silly.

Now that’s the spirit.. :)

(01-02-2023 07:03 PM)Garrettabc Wrote:  I give Tulane permission to finish ahead of FSU.

Well played, good sir.

On a serious note, if Tulane and Florida State played 10 times on a neutral field, we would likely see the teams split, 5-5. Both should be ranked in the No. 8 to No. 12 range once the season ends.

(01-02-2023 10:08 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 07:23 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(01-02-2023 06:54 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  Will be interesting to see where Tulane finishes in the final polls. I would think about No. 12-13. But No. 10 would be very deserving.

Not sure where they will finish, I’d guess very close to #10…

I really think there is a strong case for us to be #9. That’s behind all P5 teams with 2 (or less) losses, but ahead of all P5 teams with 3 (or more) losses.

#1. Georgia (14-0)
#2. TCU (13-1)
#3. Michigan (13-1)
#4. Ohio State (11-2)
#5. Alabama (11-2)
#6. Tennessee (11-2)
#7. Penn State (11-2)
#8. Washington (11-2)
#9. Tulane (12-2)
and then the teams with 3 losses.

And honestly I would personally put us at #8 ahead of Washington, but I’m trying to anticipate what the pollsters will do.

No. 8 would be reasonable, but No. 9 or even No. 10 (though no lower) would be amazing considering the Wave won only two games last year.