NFL
By: George Lopez
Where AT & T Stadium
When January 2nd, 2023 10 am on ESPN
The 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic features a matchup of 2 teams with 11-2 records as the #8 USC Trojans face the #16 Tulane Green Wave. The Trojans are coming off a disappointing 47-24 defeat to Utah in the PAC12 championship game knocking them out of the CFP. Tulane comes into this game defeating UCF 45-28 in the AAC title game. Both teams bring a prolific offense and will look to end their respective seasons on a high note with a win in the bowl game.
The Trojans offense is led by quarterback Caleb Williams. The Heisman Trophy winner passed for 4075 yards 37 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Williams was also a threat running the ball, accounting for 372 yards and 10 touchdowns. During the season, Williams was able to extend plays and find receives downfield using his legs to escape out of the pocket. With Williams under center, the Trojans offense averaged 41 points per game (3rd in the nation). The Trojans with 5th in the nation, averaging 518 yards of total offense per game. In the PAC12 championship game, Williams injured his hamstring early on but managed to pass for 363 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 costly interception late in the game. The injury to his hamstring was evident as Williams was not able to escape the Utes pass rush and was sacked a season-high 7 times. Williams is expected to be ready for the game against Tulane.
The Trojans will be without one of their key players as 2021 Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison will miss the game due to an ankle injury. On the offensive line, the Trojans will also be without starters Andrew Vorhees and Brett Neilon. In the absence of Addison, the Trojans will look to WR Tahj Washington, Mario Williams, and Brenden Rice to fill the role. Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley will not look to change his offensive scheme with Addison out. The Trojans have complete faith in their WR room.
The Trojans suffered a blow when RB Travis Dye was lost for the season with an injury. In his place, RB Austin Jones has stepped in and given the Trojans a spark. On the season, Jones has rushed for 644 yards and 5 touchdowns. Freshman RB Raleek Brown has contributed 166 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Darwin Barlow has added 96 yards and 3 touchdowns. Both backs figure to play significant snaps against Tulane.
Defensively, Tulane enters the game allowing an average of 20 points per game. Their secondary allows 188 yards passing. Safeties Macon Clark and Larry Brooks lead the team with 2 interceptions each. The Green Wave pass rush had 24 sacks on the season, led by LB Dorian Williams with 5. The Green Waves will look to test Trojans offensive line with 2 starters out. If Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams hamstring is not 100%, the Green Wave defense could look to pin their ears back and put a lot of pressure on the Trojans quarterback.
Tulane’s offense is led by quarterback Michael Pratt. On the season, Pratt passed for 2776 yards with 25 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Pratt will also tuck the ball and run, rushing for 395 yards with 10 touchdowns for the season. The Green Waves used a more balanced offensive attack this season, averaging 236 yards passing and 197 yards rushing per game. Their offense averaged 35 points a game (22nd in the nation). Pratt spread the ball around to his receiver with 19 different players recording receptions. Shae Wyatt led the team with 35 receptions for 692 yards and 7 touchdowns. The next 3 receivers for the Green Waves, Jha’Quan Jackson, Duece Watts, and Lawrence Keys were close to the number of receptions as Wyatt with 32, 31, and 30 receptions respectively.
Defensively, the Trojans allowed 28 points per game and gave up an average of 266 passing yards per game. Safety Calen Bullock leads the Trojans with 5 interceptions followed by CB Mekhi Blackmon with 3. The Trojans look to put pressure on the opposing offense, recording 36 sacks on the season. Defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu led the Trojans with 12.5 sacks on the season. The Green Wave offensive line will need to account for Tuipulotu and know where he is lined up at all times, otherwise, Tuipulotu will put his stamp on the game early on. LB Shane Lee leads the Trojans defense with 71 tackles. The transfer from Alabama has brought a new attitude to the Trojans defense this season. Look for Lee to factor in both the Trojans run defensive schemes and their pass coverage.
The Trojans defensive focus will be on containing Green Wave’s RB Tyjae Spears. On the season, Spears rushed for 1376 yards with 15 touchdowns. Spears also figured into Tulane’s passing game with 21 receptions for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns. In their loss to Utah in the PAC12 championship game, the Trojans allowed 223 yards rushing. Trojans Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch will need to devise a defensive scheme that will slow Tulane’s running game. If the Trojans have the same difficulty stopping the run as they did against Utah, the Green Waves will be able to dictate the pace of the game and keep Caleb Williams on the sidelines.
Seeing a matchup between USC and Tulane, fans would expect the Trojans to be heavy favorites to have an easy time against the Green Wave. Tulane comes into this game with good defense and will give everything they have to slow down the Heisman Trophy winner and the Trojans potent offense. USC will be without key players on offense, but coach Lincoln Riley has complete confidence in his team and expects the Trojans to rebound from their disappointing loss to Utah in their last game. Fans should expect to be treated to a very competitive and entertaining game.
