USC-Tulane preview: Can Green Wave stop Heisman winner Caleb Williams?

Tulane (11-2) vs. USC (11-2)

When: 12 p.m. today AT&T Stadium (ESPN)

Last meeting: USC defeated Tulane 20-13 on Dec. 21, 1946

What’s at stake?

Two years from now, this might’ve been a first round matchup in a 12-team, expanded College Football Playoff. Instead, it’ll be a postseason consolation prize for one team, and a chance to cap off a magical season for the other.

USC and former Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley were in the CFP conversation all the way until the season’s final weekend. Then the Trojans went and lost to Utah — for the second time this season — in the Pac-12 title game, 47-24. Riley and the Trojans have put down any notion that a trip to the Cotton Bowl is a letdown.

Tulane, on the other hand, has natural motivation. The Green Wave had two wins last season. This year, they’re the Group of Five flag bearers and the American Athletic Conference champions. A victory against USC and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams would make a sweet season even sweeter.

When USC has the ball

Shocker: the success of the Trojans offense starts and ends with the play of Caleb Williams. Heisman winners can have that type of effect. The question is, however, how effective can a hobbled Williams be against Tulane’s defense?

Williams suffered a hamstring injury in the Pac-12 Championship loss to Utah. Earlier this week, he was seen briefly by reporters throwing in practice with a sleeve on his injured leg. Williams is confident he’ll play against Tulane, and Tulane isn’t preparing to face another Trojans quarterback, according to defensive coordinator Chris Hampton.

It’s probably smart Tulane is focusing all its attention on Williams. The Heisman winner and Oklahoma transfer was fantastic in his first full season as a starter. He threw for 4,075 yards and had 47 total touchdowns. That number looks even better next to four interceptions.

USC will also be without its leading receiver, Jordan Addison, and its leading rusher, Travis Dye.

That’s good news for a Tulane defense that had was top-25 in scoring defense and passing defense. Hampton said the success of the defense will come down to its ability to tackle effectively. Luckily for the Green Wave that’s one of their strengths, led by linebackers Dorian Williams and Nick Anderson.

When Tulane has the ball

Green Wave running back Tyjae Spears enters the Cotton Bowl with a streak of seven-straight games with at least 120 rushing yards. In that time, Spears has averaged nearly eight yards per carry.

When it’s not Spears leading the Green Wave, it’s quarterback Michael Pratt, who’s coming off what might’ve been his best game of the season. Pratt had a season-high 394 yards passing and four touchdowns in the American Athletic Conference title game win over Central Florida. He also ran for a touchdown and 48 yards on six carries, showing the dual-threat ability that’s made him a problem for opposing defenses.

Pratt has thrown five interceptions on the season, which is equal to how many interceptions USC safety Caden Bullock has grabbed. He and defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu — the team leader in sacks with 12.5 — are two potential game changers.

Prediction

Big games are often decided by big-time players, and it doesn’t get much bigger than the Heisman Trophy winner. Williams has been fantastic this season, and Riley said his recovery progressed faster than they even expected. If he’s good to go, it’ll be hard for Tulane to cap off its magical season with a New Year’s Six Bowl win.

Score: USC 31, Tulane 28

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