Keys to victory: four things Tulane needs to do to beat Memphis

1) START FAST

It is not like Tulane would crumble if it fell behind early, The Green Wave is mentally strong, and Memphis appears to have the same quality after rallying from an early 17-0 deficit to beat Boise State. But this series has titled heavily toward the team that jumps out to an early lead. Brutal first halves doomed Tulane in 2017 and 2019 at Liberty Stadium, and the same thing happened to Memphis at Yulman Stadium last season. If the Wave imposes its will early, good things will follow.

2) BALL SECURITY

Tulane is last in the FBS in lost fumbles per game with seven in five contests (one each for Iverson Celestine, Arnold Barnes, Shaadie Clayton-Johnson, Michael Pratt, Kai Horton, Alex Bauman and Charles Schibler). As much as coach Willie Fritz stresses ball security, that looseness needs to end Friday night. The Wave is plus-one in turnover margin because of its seven interceptions, but an easy way to get beaten by a good team on the road is to cough it up. Fritz believes turnover margin is the most important stat in football.

3) SACK ATTACK

Memphis ran away from Tulane in 2017 and 2019 by protecting the quarterback and winning favorable one-one-one matchups for huge plays in the passing game. Although the Wave secondary is playing at a high level, third-year quarterback Seth Henigan is capable of doing the same if he gets time. Tulane needs to disrupt his rhythm, which it is imminently capable of doing as the AAC leader in sacks (17). If the Wave generates pressure with its deep frontline and timely blitzes, the Tigers will be in a world of hurt.

4) RETURN MAGIC

After killing opponents with electric kickoff and punt returns for years, Memphis has lost that capacity. Tulane enjoys the clear edge there. Jha’Quan Jackson’s 90-yard punt return for a score sparked the Wave’s 35-0 first-half flogging of the Tigers last season, and he is due for another one after coming close a couple times already this year. The Wave also is second in the AAC in kickoff return average. Memphis, meanwhile, has not returned a kickoff more than 27 yards and is in the middle of the AAC pack in punt returns.