re: Tulane @ Duke - Study in Coaching Contrasts

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I will say that he fricking frustrates me with his second half decisions

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Those bad decisions tend to start late in the second quarter.

So far CUSA is kicking the AAC's arse. Tulane lost to Tulsa who got blown out by FAU. UTSA is dominating as well and destroyed SMU.

Question, if I'm bitching too much about CJ, how long does he get before I am able to complain about losing to crap teams?

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And we're not getting waxed by Duke either.

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There's a pretty good chance that you do.

Is this a good analysis of Tulane?

Tulane as a program is heading in the right direction, but has some weaknesses that Duke should be able to exploit. Quarterback Tanner Lee is a redshirt freshman with an NFL build and an absolute cannon of an arm. Older Duke fans think Dave Brown. He is only completing 50% of his passes but has moved the team and has 7 touchdowns in 3 games. He is very calm in the pocket, but thinks he can complete anything and has frequently thrown into coverage, even when checkdowns were available. The receivers are solid, and include two reliable seniors and three promising freshmen. Tulane has a freshman running back in Sherman Badie who is similar to Shawn Wilson - small but with breakaway speed - he is averaging over 9ypc and ran for over 200 yards at Tulsa. The defense is decent - though they lost some experienced and talented bulk up front. Linebacker Nico Marley (yes, its Bob's grandson) is only about 180lbs but plays with an amazing reckless abandon and is always around the football. The DB's are good, similar to Duke, with CB Lorenzo Doss on every pre-season award list and SS Sam Scofield a tackling machine.

But...........Duke has two HUGE advantages. First, Tulane has abysmal special teams. The freshman K missed a 20 yard game winner against Tulsa and has badly missed 2 more FG's. The punter is averaging 33 yards, has had one blocked and multiple close calls. Coverage units aren't much better, and return units are unspectacular. I'd give a 10 point edge to the Duke special teams and expect at least one special teams TD and big field position gains. The second advantage is just pure coaching. Tulane is young and undisciplined and penalty-prone. On top of that, offensive coordinator Eric Price is not a good playcaller - being hired after leading Memphis (who always has athleticism) to 120th of 121 FBS programs. Last year's Tulane team went 7-5 on the strength of its defense, while its offense was in the bottom quartile of the FBS.

If Tulane somehow plays disciplined football, Duke only has a slight edge. But special teams, overall team discipline, and offensive playcalling are all huge edges for Duke. Tulane may hang around for awhile but I'm expecting about a 3 touchdown win.

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Tulane as a program is heading in the right direction, but has some weaknesses that Duke should be able to exploit. Quarterback Tanner Lee is a redshirt freshman with an NFL build and an absolute cannon of an arm. Older Duke fans think Dave Brown. He is only completing 50% of his passes but has moved the team and has 7 touchdowns in 3 games. He is very calm in the pocket

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spot on

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complete anything and has frequently thrown into coverage, even when checkdowns were available

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less true than it is made out to be...the GT p6 was really a great fake and play by the LB...he fooled him. but yes, he has squeezed it into tight spots, but the INTs are more about misreading the coverage. It could easily be the other way around, but that's the way it has played out. He can't throw a fly route for shite though

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The receivers are solid, and include two reliable seniors and three promising freshmen. Tulane has a freshman running back in Sherman Badie who is similar to Shawn Wilson - small but with breakaway speed - he is averaging over 9ypc and ran for over 200 yards at Tulsa

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yes to the receivers and they're underselling badie...he has been breaking tackles...and he has been awesome.

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The defense is decent - though they lost some experienced and talented bulk up front. Linebacker Nico Marley (yes, its Bob's grandson) is only about 180lbs but plays with an amazing reckless abandon and is always around the football. The DB's are good, similar to Duke, with CB Lorenzo Doss on every pre-season award list and SS Sam Scofield a tackling machine.

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the DBs have more upside than they're given credit for, in the opener against Tulsa, they were always in the right position to make a huge play and didn't...dawson is good

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First, Tulane has abysmal special teams

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can't be said enough

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Tulane somehow plays disciplined football, Duke only has a slight edge

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if we move our KS to K and cut out the sloppy mistakes, AAAND CJ can get out of his own head in the 2nd half, we can compete with anyone.

I really don't think we'll get smoked.

Of course, when we do those stupid things, almost anyone can hang with us...the first 3 games, Johnson makes a gutsy call that doesn't work out, then becomes a fricking nun in the 2nd half

He's red shirting, may take over Dante Butler's role next year.

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So far CUSA is kicking the AAC's arse. Tulane lost to Tulsa who got blown out by FAU. UTSA is dominating as well and destroyed SMU.

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Nice sample size

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He is very calm in the pocket, but thinks he can complete anything and has frequently thrown into coverage, even when checkdowns were available

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I will agree with you on this one - he also stares down the receiver.
He'll get it, but it just takes experience. tulane is paying the price with the turnovers, though. that will kill us against mistake-free Duke.

I hate to be right but damn did I call this one. SO MANY MISTAKES. TERRIBLE COACHING.