I went to the Tulane game today, and it was a breath of fresh air.

And it’s not only because the weather was nice.

Tulane is even more impressive in person than they are on TV. It was my first time in Yulman Stadium. It’s a small venue, but their audio/video board is well ahead of LSU’s. As of today though, that may be changing. Thank God.

Tulane is a very very very well coached football team. They have a great running game. Their run blocking is excellent. Makhi Hughes is a very good freshman running back. They did not have their best game throwing the ball. Michael Pratt, for all the hype, was a bit disappointing today.

The most impressive aspect of this game by far was Tulane’s defense. They forced five turnovers and three turnovers-on-down. Compared to LSU, watching Tulane’s defense was like a breath of fresh air. Players were flying to the ball carrier, their tackling technique was on point, and they were PHYSICAL. You could HEAR the hard hits. I felt like I was actually watching football. I heard a coach recently say that fundamentals and technique aren’t coached anymore, but they are for Tulane, and it shows. They plastered and demolished ball carriers without a single targeting penalty being called or even questioned. Their DBs played the pass really well also, although they did get handsy a few times. Tulane’s defense is as impressive as LSU’s offense, not necessarily because Tulane has the best athletes at every position (although they have some really good ones), but because of how well coached they are. The players on their defense were also PASSIONATE. You could tell they love playing the game; and that passion fueled us in the crowd. I felt like I wanted to run through a brick wall after watching Tulane’s LB destroy UTSA’s RB on their last failed two point conversion. It was an inspiring performance.

I will admit being sympathetic to Tom Brady’s recent comments that there is a lot of mediocre football being played. Watching the Saints and LSU this year, there is a lot of finesse and laziness with some of the players on those teams. The Saints aren’t well coached on offense. LSU isn’t well coached on defense. Tulane is coached well on both sides of the ball, and that is why they have more wins in their first twelve games than any of the other football teams in Louisiana. Roll wave.