Tulane Green Wave vs Kansas State Wildcats Picks and Predictions September 7th 2024

Tulane is gearing up for one of its biggest challenges of the season as they face off against No. 17 Kansas State. Both teams opened with dominant wins over FCS opponents, but this Saturday’s clash in New Orleans promises to be a real test for both programs.

Kansas State (1-0) is fresh off a 41-6 victory over UT Martin, while Tulane (1-0) cruised past Southeastern Louisiana with a commanding 52-0 win. But as they step into tougher competition, this matchup will reveal much more about where these teams truly stand.

Kansas State Ready to Unleash More of Their Playbook

Kansas State’s head coach, Chris Klieman, hinted that the Wildcats haven’t shown all their cards yet. “We have a lot of things we haven’t shown yet,” Klieman remarked after their win over UT Martin. While the Wildcats executed a nearly flawless game with zero penalties, turnovers remain a concern after they coughed up the ball twice.

Saturday’s game will also mark the first true road start for Kansas State’s young quarterback, Avery Johnson. Klieman sees this away matchup as a crucial part of the team’s growth: “I think it’s important for this group to go on the road because we’re going to have to win some games on the road in order to have a successful season.”

Tulane Looks to Prove Themselves in a Tough Test

Tulane may be coming in as the underdog, but they view this game as a huge opportunity to prove they belong in the conversation. Led by new head coach Jon Sumrall, who took over after a successful stint with Troy, the Green Wave are eager to showcase their potential against a ranked opponent.

Interestingly, Kansas State defeated Sumrall’s Troy team 42-13 last season, and Klieman has noticed the similarities between that Troy squad and the current Tulane team. “It looks like we’re playing them again,” Klieman joked, noting how the offensive and defensive schemes are quite similar.

Despite Tulane’s 52-0 blowout win last week, Sumrall remains grounded. “We didn’t play like a top-20 team last week. If we don’t improve significantly, it’s not going to matter what the opportunity looks like,” he said, stressing the need for his team to step it up as the competition ramps up.

Darian Mensah Impresses in Debut

One of the biggest storylines for Tulane is the emergence of their redshirt freshman quarterback, Darian Mensah. In his college debut, Mensah showed incredible poise, completing 10 of 12 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

However, Mensah’s real challenge begins this weekend as he faces Kansas State’s experienced and disciplined defense. The Green Wave offense, which looked sharp against Southeastern Louisiana, will need to elevate their game to a new level. Sumrall referred to the upcoming clash as “big-boy football”, highlighting the massive step up in competition.

Tulane’s Tough Road Ahead

The matchup against Kansas State is just the beginning of a brutal stretch for Tulane. After Saturday’s game, they hit the road to face No. 15 Oklahoma, meaning they’re about to face back-to-back top-20 opponents.

Sumrall is well aware of the task ahead: “The challenges are about to get much harder. We’re going into big-boy football real fast.”

The Green Wave has no illusions about the difficulty of the games ahead, but they see it as an opportunity to prove they can hang with some of the best teams in the country.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Kansas State’s Discipline vs. Tulane’s Aggression: Kansas State showed incredible discipline with zero penalties in their opener. On the other hand, Tulane is eager to prove themselves under new leadership, which could make for an aggressive showing on the field.
• Avery Johnson’s First Road Start: Kansas State’s young quarterback will face his first road test in a hostile environment. How he handles the pressure could be a major factor in the outcome of the game.
• Darian Mensah vs. Kansas State’s Defense: Mensah looked great in his debut, but Kansas State’s defense is a whole different beast compared to Southeastern Louisiana. Can he rise to the occasion?
• Turnover Battle: Kansas State’s minus-2 turnover margin from their opener could be a major concern. If they don’t protect the ball better, Tulane might get some extra chances to capitalize.

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What’s at Stake for Both Teams?

For Kansas State, a win would solidify their top-20 ranking and show they can handle themselves on the road. With expectations high for the Wildcats, every game counts if they want to stay in the national spotlight.

For Tulane, this is a golden opportunity to prove they can compete at a higher level. A win could catapult them into national conversations, and even a strong showing would turn some heads. With back-to-back games against top-20 teams, the Green Wave is entering the toughest stretch of their season, and it starts with Kansas State.

As both teams head into this much-anticipated showdown, Tulane will be hoping that home-field advantage and a rapidly improving squad will give them a shot at upsetting Kansas State. For Kansas State, the game offers a chance to continue building momentum as they look toward the rest of their season.

Either way, this game is set to reveal a lot more about these two teams than their season openers, and it’s sure to be a thrilling matchup from start to finish.