Tulane will meet Florida Atlantic University, a member of Conference USA's East Division, at 4 PM Central time.
Here are the storylines for the day. Also, quick explanation of the picture. FAU made headlines earlier this year when GEO Group, a private prison firm, bought the naming rights to their stadium. So if you didn't love FAU before... their Board of Trustees is partially controlled by the folks who make money keeping people behind bars.
Here's what to look for.
1. Tulane is the only undefeated team left in Conference USA play. Rice tumbled to 4-1 after losing an away matchup against the University of North Texas on Thursday night. That means both the Division title and (let's not get ahead of ourselves, but still...) the Conference Championship homefield advantage are in the Green Wave's hands.
2. The 2-6 FAU Owls have obviously, as we all know, lost their Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator in the last week. As the Charlotte Observer points out, times were already tough for the Owls prior to this controversy. The biggest question is whether the players can find a way to channel a lot of negative energy into something positive on their Homecoming game.
3. Everybody loves CJ. Coach Curtis Johnson got a nice write-up by USA Today Sports yesterday. First one to find a quote from CJ taking credit for success wins. I've never seen an interview where he doesn't immediately credit the assistant coaching staff and players.
4. Tulane kicking rockstar Cairo Santos is familiar with Palm Beach, Florida. He will be back here after the season while in the running for another Lou Groza award after a great 2013 campaign thus far.
5. We have no idea what the Tulane offense is going to look like. Presumed starter Nick Montana took most of the snaps this week in practice. Coach CJ has not ruled out the possibility of utilizing both RS freshman Devin Powell and the banged up Montana in this one.
6. Tulane is the underdog, once again. In the six wins so far this year, the folks in the desert have put Tulane in the doghouse 5 times. So even in spite of all the craziness this week, we can confidently say that the Green Wave still has a chip on their shoulder.
Lastly, roll damn wave.
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