UConn Huskies at Tulane Green Wave: Preview, Betting Line, TV, Prediction

UConn Huskies at Tulane Green Wave

Date: Saturday, November 7

Time: 3 p.m. CDT

TV: ESPNews

Location: Yulman Stadium (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Records: UConn 4-5 (2-3); Tulane 2-6 (1-4)

Betting Line: UConn -6

All-Time Series: Tulane leads 1-0

Last Meeting: Tulane 12, UConn 3 (2014)

Preview

Tulane probably felt as if the four-game stretch it just completed wouldn't end.

After building confidence from wins over FCS Maine and FCS-worthy UCF, the Green Wave embarked on the most difficult portion of its schedule. Tulane had three of its next four games on the road and on top of that, three of those teams Curtis Johnson's bunch would play were ranked (Temple, Houston and Memphis).

We'll spare you the gory details and just say it wasn't pretty for the Green Wave. Tulane is now 2-6, but according to Johnson the team is no worse for wear (unless you count that starting quarterback Tanner Lee is still day-to-day).

"I think our team really relishes playing against good competition," Johnson said Wednesday at his weekly press luncheon. "I think they like doing it. I don't think they like losing one bit, but they certainly draw from the good things they had done in every game."

Whether those "good things" were jumping out to a 13-0 lead on Memphis, holding Navy's option attack to fewer than 200 rushing yards or linebacker Nico Marley laying the lumber in that same game, the Green Wave are trying to find the silver lining.

Well, here's a bit of positive news: The combined record of Tulane's next four opponents is 11-22, compared to the current mark of 29-2 from the previous four.

On Saturday, the Green Wave hosts UConn at Yulman Stadium for the second consecutive season. Last year these juggernauts combined for 15 points as Tulane won 12-3. And no, those all weren't scored on field goals (one touchdown, two field goals, one safety).

Fans might see a few more points this year, but not enough to break the scoreboard. The Green Wave and Huskies average fewer than 21 points per game and Tulane hasn't scored more than 14 points since Oct. 3.

Tulane Wins If...

Tanner Lee has to start and the Green Wave must keep him upright. UConn's defense is stout and its front seven is among the best in the American Athletic Conference. The last thing you need is for the Huskies to tee off on a quarterback who already suffered a concussion this year.

UConn Wins If...

Simply put, the Huskies must replicate what they did against East Carolina last week. That was a complete win for UConn and a similar effort should get it done. The Huskies also need a big game on the ground from running back Arkeel Newsome.

Prediction

UConn's defense is too good and Tulane's offense is garbage. The Huskies suffocate the Green Wave. UConn 17, Tulane 6.