Spread: Baylor -4 O/U: 60.5 Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX Date and TV: December 31, 2024, 2:30 PM, ESPN For the 1st time since 1985, LSU and Baylor will be meeting on the gridiron. LSU leads the all time series 8-3. The 1st meeting between the 2 schools came in 1907, and the Tigers won by a score of 48-0. Baylor, 8-4, 6-3, comes into the contest as one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning the final 6 games of the season. The Bears' offense ranks 3rd in the Big 12 in total yards per game (434.5), 7th in the Big 12 in passing yards per game (246), and 6th in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (188.5). Quarterback Sawyer Robertson is the leader of this offense. Robertson has 2626 passing yards, 26 passing TDs (4th in the Big 12), 7 INTs, 227 rushing yards, and 4 rushing TDs on the season. Running back Bryson Washington has had a great season. Washington has 1004 rushing yards (8th in the Big 12), 12 rushing TDs (7th in the Big 12), 217 receiving yards, and 1 receiving TD. Josh Cameron and Ashtyn Hawkins are the leading pass catchers on the team. Cameron has 44 receptions, 643 receiving yards, and 9 TDs. Hawkins has 41 receptions, 512 receiving yards, and 4 TDs. The Bears defense ranks 10th in the Big 12 in total yards per game given up (382.8), 11th in the Big 12 in passing yards per game given up (227.6), and 11th in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game given up (155.2). Linebackers Keaton Thomas and Matt Jones are in the top 4 in the Big 12 in total tackles. The leaders in the defensive back room are Lorando Johnson and Devyn Bobby. Bobby has 3 INTs this season. Johnson ranks 3rd in the Big 12 with 10 PBUs. The leaders on the defensive line are Treven Ma'ae and Jackie Marshall. Ma'ae has 3.5 sacks this season, and Marshall has 3 sacks this season. Baylor has zero opt outs for the NFL Draft, but they have lost 4 players to the transfer portal. LSU, 8-4, 5-3, enters this game having won the final 2 games of the regular season. The Tiger offense ranks 5th in the SEC in total yards per game (431.9), 2nd in the SEC in passing yards per game (315.3), and 16th in the SEC in rushing yards per game. The Tiger offense is led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Nuss ranks 2nd in the SEC in passing yards (3739) and passing TDs (26). He has the 2nd most INTs in the SEC with 11. The running back room is led by Josh Willams and Caden Durham. Williams has 108 carries, 440 yards, 5 TDs, 29 receptions, and 249 receiving yards on the season. Durham has 127 carries, 693 yards, 6 TDs, 27 receptions, 257 receiving yards, and 2 TDs on the season. The leading pass catchers for the Tigers are Kyren Lacy, Mason Taylor, and Aaron Anderson. Lacy has 58 receptions (5th in the SEC), 886 yards (5th in the SEC), and 9 TDs (1st in the SEC) on the season. Taylor has 55 receptions (7th in the SEC), 546 yards, and 2 TDs on the season. Anderson has 53 receptions (10th in the SEC), 784 yards (11th in the SEC), and 5 TDs on the season. The LSU defense ranks 11th in the SEC in total yards per game given up (352.5), 7th in the SEC in passing yards per game given up (205.9), and 13th in the SEC in rushing yards per game given up (146.6). The linebacker room is led by Whit Weeks and Greg Penn III. Weeks ranks 3rd in the SEC with 114 total tackles this season. GP3 has 80 total tackles this season. The defensive line is led by Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones. Swinson ranks 5th in the SEC with 8.5 sacks this season. Jones has 4.5 sacks this season. The defensive back room is led by Ashton Stamps and Zy Alexander. Stamps ranks 5th in the SEC with 9 PBUs on the season. Alexander has 2 INTs on the season. The Tigers will be without Will Campbell, Emery Jones, Mason Taylor, and Kyren Lacy, who are all getting ready for the NFL Draft. Sage Ryan, CJ Daniels, Rickie Collins, Da'Shawn Womack, Shelton Sampson, Jr., Kylin Jackson, Xavier Atkins, Jyaire Brown, and Jordan Allen, among others, have entered the transfer portal for the Tigers. Fun Fact: Baylor head coach, Dave Aranda, was the LSU defensive coordinator from 2016-2019. Thank you for reading my article. Follow me on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) @eazytro

Tulane Green Wave Recruiting Class of 2025

Tulane Green Wave @ Army Knights By: Patrick Harkness Spread: Tulane -5 Total: 45.5 Tulane travels to Michie Stadium in West Point, New York to square off against the Army Knights. Jeff Monken is in his 11th year with the Army Knights and has an overall record of 80-56. Their offense mainly consists of flexbone options, pistol options, and shotgun. They're ranked 134 passing with 89 yards average, 1st in the nation running the ball at 312 yards a game, and 32nd for points scored at 32. Defensively (3-4 multiple) they are ranked 8th in the nation for points against, ranked first in the AAC for least amount of yards per game at 295, 5th in the AAC for passing at 220 yards a game, and 1st in the AAC for stopping the run at 103 yards a game. Offense Quarterback- Mensah Army is a very good run defensive team, and we all know Tulane loves to run the football. Let's hope this Tulane team has a little trick up their sleeve and try to start this game with some shots down field. Opening up the passing attack and try to get some yards against a weak Army secondary that is prone to giving up some big plays. It's time to let Mensah to put this team on his shoulders and show the college football world how great of a quarterback he is going to be. Army QB Bryson Dailey- There are running quarterbacks and then there is Bryson Dailey. Through the air he has 860 yards with 8 touchdowns and 1 interception, with a 56-completion percentage. The guy is basically a running back who has some passing skills; he has totaled 1,348 yards rushing with 25 touchdowns. Ty Thompson If Tulane is trying to play catch up all game, we may not see Ty for another week. Running Back It may be a very hard day for the Tulane running backs to get going. Army has a very good defensive front led by linebacker Andon Thomas 75 tackles on the year, a sack, and an interception. It would be nice to see Makhi and Shadie help out in the passing game but If Tulane can get their running game going against this Army team, they should be able to handle their business all game long. Receiving Game The receiving game of Tulane must step up and play a much better game than they did last week on Thanksgiving night. Drop passes and fumbles in the rezone will cost any team a W. They have a chance against this Army secondary to rack up some yards and make some big plays. Army does have some guys who can get their hands on the ball. Casey Larkin the linebacker/safety has three picks and Corner Jaydan Mayes does as well. 3 other guys for Army have 2 picks on the year Justin Weaver, Donavon Platt, and Max Didemencio. Offensive Line The offensive line of Tulane must play better in the run blocking scheme if the Wave come out like usual and try to get the run game going. All five of the starters from this Unit received some sort of all conference honors which is well deserved by their play all year long. They are some of the best pass pro blockers out there, but Army does have a strong front seven they will have to deal with. Elo Modzie, the pass rushing linebacker, leads the team with 4.5 sacks. Kyle Lewis the 6-3 280 NT has 4 sacks on the year, the other blitzing linebacker Brett Gerena has 3 sacks followed by the defensive lineman Kody Harris-Miller with 2 sacks. X Factor: Throw the ball and challenge the secondary Defense Defensive Line This game will be won or lost in the trenches especially by a team like Army who loves to use the option run to the fullest. The defensive front of Tulane must be able to create havoc in the backfield and disrupt the option offense quickly. The defensive ends and Linebackers must also be on the same page with one group having to decide to take the quarterback and the other to stay in the running backs. Mathew Fobbs White could have a big game. Bryson Dailey (QB), Cayenne Udoh (RB), and Noah Short (RB) is Armies three headed option running monster they must shut down and try to force them to beat them through the air. Linebackers Sam Howard and Tyler Grubbs need to be on a mission in this game. After a bad defensive performance last week these two must step up and lead the defense to a victory by helping slow down the running attack of Army. The defensive ends and linebackers have to be on the same page in order to have success against this style of offense Army runs. Secondary Army is not known for throwing the ball, but they do have a couple of guys Tulane must account for. Wide Receiver Casey Reynolds leads the team in all categories with 16 catches, 409 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back Noah Short can come out of the backfield and make some plays in the passing game, catching 15 passes for 305 yards and 3 touchdowns. Look for Caleb Ransaw and Bailey Despaine to be used a lot in this game to help out with the option attack of Army. X Factor: Load the Box and stop the Run. Make Byrson beat you through the air. Special Teams Kicker/Punter/Return Game K- Patrick Durkin went 3 for 3 on extra points and hit a 44 yarder last game P-Will Karrol had 3 punts for 100 yards averaging 33.3 with a long of 37 last game For more Tulane Football news, check out Wave Watch on YouTube at The Kneaux! Roll Wave!! This is Patrick Harkness and you can follow me on X @RollDatWave and @BeInTheKneaux everywhere.

LSU won in convincing fashion to finish out the regular season. The two teams trade punts on each of their opening drives. The Tigers had a 7 play 53 yard drive that was capped off by a Kyren Lacy 18 yard receiving TD. LSU 7-0. Oklahoma punted back to LSU. On the 5th play of LSU's next drive, Garrett Nussmeier fumbled, and Oklahoma scoops and scores. Tied 7-7. The teams trade punts. The Tigers had a 5 play 44 yard drive that was capped off by a 34 yard Damian Ramos field goal. LSU 10-7. Oklahoma has a 3 play 75 yard drive that was capped off by a Xavier Robinson 2 yard rushing TD. Oklahoma 14-10. On the following kickoff, Aaron Anderson returned it 100 yards for a TD. LSU 17-14. Oklahoma has an 11 play 49 yard drive that was capped off by a 44 yard Zach Schmidt field goal. Tied 17-17. LSU had a 6 play 66 yard drive that was capped off by a Chris Hilton, Jr. 40 yard receiving TD. LSU 24-17. Oklahoma ran out the 1st half. Oklahoma punted on the opening drive of the 2nd half. LSU had a 9 play 88 yard drive that was capped off by a Chris Hilton, Jr. 45 yard receiving TD. LSU 31-17. Sage Ryan intercepted a horrible Bauer Sharp pass. LSU had a 9 play 54 yard drive that was capped off by a Damian Ramos 22 yard field goal. LSU 34-17. The teams trade punts. Oklahoma turned the ball over on downs. LSU had a 6 play 13 yard drive that was capped off by a Damian Ramos 32 yard field goal. LSU 37-17. The clock runs out on Oklahoma's next drive. Tigers W! LSU 37 Oklahoma 17. TAKEAWAYS - This offensive line played some of the best football they have played all season in these last 2 games. - Chris Hilton, Jr., you have to feel good for this guy after all he has been through. - Garrett Nussmeier! What a gutsy performance by this guy. He is a leader. AWARDS - Offensive MVP - Chris Hilton, Jr. - 2 catches and 2 TDs! The future is bright for this young man. - Defensive MVP - Whit Weeks - 15 total tackles in this one! This guy is an absolute ball hawk. The Tigers now await to find out their bowl destination. Thank you for reading my article. Follow me on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) @eazytro

Memphis Tigers-34 @ Tulane Green Wave-24 By: Patrick Harkness Spread: Tulane -13 Total: 56.5 Turnovers and bad tackling are a recipe for disaster and that's what happened Thursday night for the Green Wave. Unfortunately, the Wave just couldn't get anything going offensively on the ground which is their bread and butter and usually allows them to have a good passing game with the defense creeping up to stop the run, but the Tigers forced them to become one dimensional. Memphis already had a good run stopping defense to begin with, but you could tell their main goal was to stop the run and have the young freshman QB Mensah beat them and it worked. Defensively it was just a disaster from the start, they simply just got out coached and they did nothing to try and stop the running back for Memphis Greg Desrosiers who totaled 125 yards and 3 touchdowns (more on that later). But this is football, and Memphis is a good team, time to regroup and move onto the next. WIN the AAC CHAMPIONSHIP that's all that matters now. Offense Quarterback- Mensah On the night Mensah was 21/33 with 317 yards passing, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The first half was a struggle to get things going with key dropped passes, but he showed all game long how good he can be at escaping the pocket and creating plays with his legs and trying to buy time for his receivers. One thing Mensah must work on this offseason is his deep ball accuracy. Sometimes they are right on the money and others are either overthrown or underthrown which you saw late in the game when he forced it to Mario for an interception. If he can locate his deep ball better, he could’ve hit Mario on his outside shoulder towards the sideline where he has a better shot of catching that. I think he was trying to play hero ball, not a smart decision but he's young and will learn from this game. But not all the blame goes on Mensah; there were two very costly fumbles within 10 yards of scoring. Ty Thompson Did not play Running Back It was not a good day for the running game. They only amassed 57 yards on 18 carries for an average of 3.2 and one score. Memphis had a very good defensive game plan to shut down the running game of Makhi and force Tulane to throw the ball and it worked. I felt Shadie Clayton could've been used more in the passing game. He had 3 catches for 21 yards while also getting 2 carries for 29 yards. Arnold Barnes was the lone back who got the score. Receiving Game Mario Williams had a good game but that all got negated when he fumbled the ball on the 9-yard line when Tulane looked like they were going to make an impressive comeback. He finished with 7 catches for 130 yards and a score. Yulkeith was having a decent game as well, but he also had a very costly fumble at the five-yard line that allowed Memphis to take over and score later that drive. Yulkieth finished with 4 catches for 93 yards. Drops and fumbles killed/stalled the offense all game long. Offensive Line The pass blocking of Tulane was holding up all game besides the 2 sacks but in the run game it was more of a struggle with the running backs not being able to find any lanes. Memphis' game plan was actually really smart by blitzing the first half to shut down the run game. Then in the second half they disguised their coverage by looking like they would blitz then dropping back into coverage. Defense Defensive Line It wasn't the greatest night for the defensive line allowing the running backs of Memphis to get 242 yards rushing on 46 carries and 2 touchdowns. They were able to get some key 3rd down stops during the game and allow the offense to get the ball back. On the night they totaled 2.5 sacks on the defensive line. Kam Hamilton had another sack putting his total up to 5 while Terrel Allen, Patrick Jenkins, and Parker Peterson both received half a sack. Linebackers Poor tackling and allowing soft coverage in the middle of the field to be open allowed Memphis to create plays all game long. The Tigers running back Greg Desrosiers was killing Tulane all game long. I was hoping the coaches of Tulane would make the adjustment by putting Chris Rodgers on him after the half. He is the better coverage and faster linebacker out of the bunch. On the night Tyler Grubbs led the team in tackles with 8 with Sam Howard assisting with 6 and 1 sack. Secondary Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan was able to pick apart the secondary of Tulane in the first half and finished the game going 22 for 29 with 218 yards and 2 touchdowns. The secondary has struggled this season when they play a good Quarterback. You saw this against Louisiana and North Texas. Jack Tchienchou led the secondary with 6 tackles followed by Caleb Ransaw with 5 tackles. Ransaw had a costly pass interference on a 3rd down that later led to a Memphis touchdown. In the grand scheme of things this was a bad loss, but this is a very good football team with a very bright future. They still have a chance to bring home the AAC championship trophy and very good coaching staff with an up-and-coming freshman Quarterback. Tulane football is here to stay! Move on to the next game and get the conference championship at all costs. ROLL WAVE! Special Teams Kicker/Punter/Return Game K- Patrick Durkin went 3 for 3 on extra points and hit a 44 yarder P-Will Karrol had 3 punts for 100 yards averaging 33.3 with a long of 37 For more Tulane Football news, check out Wave Watch on YouTube at The Kneaux! Roll Wave!! This is Patrick Harkness and you can follow me on X @RollDatWave and @BeInTheKneaux everywhere.

Let's get into it!

Let's get into it!