Well here we are, folks. It's time. The Tulane Green Wave, who were last seen in an inspiring comeback in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl --- stymied only by a failed field goal attempt to end the game --- are back in action for the 2014 season.
The American Conference may be a new league, but the Green Wave faces an old foe in the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. That's right. Tulsa. Another Conference USA gone Power Six export.
But to say it's an old rivalry would be inaccurate. From 1968 until 2012, the Green Wave had won a grand total of zero games in this series.
Last year, however, Tulane notched a historic victory for the first time in over 40 years that made the team bowl eligible. It was a big deal. It symbolized new hope for a program that had been devastated by real hurricanes, administrative issues, and yes, some serious football issues.
The stakes are just as high this year. You would have to look back to the 1990s to think of another time when the passion and optimism of the Green Wave fan base has reached this level.
In the offseason, Head Coach Curtis Johnson made waves after signing every target on National Signing Day, and as a bonus, locking down a ton of local talent from the Louisiana recruiting base.
But today is the day that the team gets a chance to realize the huge expectations for this season. Here are the storylines.
Game Time: 7 PM CST
TV: CBS Sports Network. Check your local listing.
Betting Line: Tulsa -6.5
1. Freshman QB
Coming out of camp, one of the bigger stories has been the success of redshirt freshman Tanner Lee. The New Orleans Jesuit product has impressed pretty much anyone watching with impressive arm strength and his ability to make the offense more dynamic.
As a result, he became the clear starter over Nick Montana and Devin Powell, who both started in games in the 2013 campaign.
While it was widely reported that Lee would be the first freshman QB to start opening day in history, one of my Twitter followers pointed out he's actually the second.
@FearTheWaveBlog that is not correct! Tommy Hightower started as a true freshman against Cincinnati, Tulane first in 76 his first game.
— Tony Landry (@palandry3) August 28, 2014
Still, crazy, right? Lee's ability to manage this offense will be a critical part of keeping pace with the Golden Hurricane tonight.2. Defense, Defense, Defense
Yes, the defense is really good. Obviously in the off-season, the Green Wave lost some key contributors to graduation (especially Davenport), but they return a very strong core highlighted by Lorenzo Doss who made pretty much every pre-season watch list in existence, Royce LaFrance (who led the team in sacks), Nico Marley (who won Conference USA freshman of the year), and Sam Scofield, who led the team in tackles. Pretty solid, right?
The term "mid-major Michigan State" has been thrown around, and it's fitting. The Green Wave defense will look to build on the success of last season.
How much pressure can they bring tonight to hold the Golden Hurricane back like they did last year?
3. #18
Devon Walker is returning to the site of his tragic injury, which occurred against Tulsa two years ago. He will make an appearance at halftime in front of the Tulsa crowd. Go Devon go!
Devon graduated from Tulane in the spring and is pursuing a graduate degree right now.
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