*** NCAA Football Preview - Tulane Green Wave ***

From The My Sportsbook

By Ralph Lauro, College Football Staff Writer

2003 SEASON IN REVIEW: It wasn't the season the Green Wave had hoped for in 2003, as they finished under .500 in league play (3-5)m as well as overall (5-7). The team started with wins in three of its first four games, but it was all downhill from there. The club went on to lose its next five outings, including a 63-18 shellacking my nationally-ranked Texas. Tulane did show some grit towards the end of the season, as it earned a pair of victories over UAB and East Carolina while dropping a close decision to eventual C-USA champions, Southern Miss. It was a tough way to go out for two Tulane stars, J.P. Losman and Mewelde Moore. Losman, who was taken in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills, was stellar in his last year with Tulane, throwing for 3,077 yards and 33 touchdowns. As for Moore, he was simply one of the most productive backs in C-USA history and it showed last season when he amassed 1,323 total yards and accounted for nine touchdowns in nine games.

2004 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The Green Wave may be returning eight starters from a year ago, but the loss of both Losman and Moore has head coach Chris Scelfo wondering how successful this year's offense will be. Losman, who threw for 5,500 yards in 25 games over the last two seasons, has left big shoes to fill and trying to do just that will be one of the following in Richard Irvin, Scott Elliott, Lester Richard and Nick Cannon. Of the four, Cannon is the only one to have taken a snap in a collegiate game, giving him the inside track to the starting job. Whoever winds up under center will have a talented group of receivers to throw to. Roydell Williams, Chris Bush and Tristan Smith were the team's top three pass-catchers last year and all are back in the fold. Williams highlights the trio, earning First Team All-Conference USA honors in '03 after grabbing 66 balls for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith and Bush also had success last season, combining for 70 catches, 886 yards and 13 touchdowns. Another area that boasts plenty of experience is along the offensive line, which returns all five starters. Benefiting from the experienced line will be tailback Jovon Jackson, who filled in for Moore when he went down with an injury last season. Jackson is more of a power back who ran for 377 yards and two touchdowns on 82 carries in '03. He could be pushed by freshman speedster Ray Boudreaux.

DEFENSE: Last season was just a disaster on the defensive side of the ball for Tulane, which allowed a whopping 464.4 total ypg. The unit was just horrendous against the run, yielding a ridiculous 243.7 ypg. This year's unit should be much improved with the return of eight starters. Up front, three starters are back in Michael Roberts, Billy Harrison and Taurean Brown. Harrison highlights the trio, as he earned C-USA All-Freshman honors after leading Tulane with 7.5 TFLs and 11 quarterback hurries last year. Brown collected 6.5 TFLs to rank second on the team, while Roberts recorded 25 tackles through an injury- plagued campaign. Anthony Cannon, a 2001 Freshman All-American, heads a group of linebackers that also features Wesley Heath and Antonio Mason. Cannon recorded his second straight 100-tackle season in 2003, despite battling several injuries. As for the secondary, it is certainly the strength of the team with all four starters returning from a year ago. The Green Wave's most consistent defender in '03 was corner Sean Lucas, who recorded 102 tackles and a team-high five interceptions on his way to Third Team All-league honors. Bruce Youmans, who made 40 stops in limited playing time last season, will line up on the opposite side of Lucas. At strong safety will be the hard- hitting Tra Boger and his 250 career tackles. The Second Team All-league choice led Tulane with 133 tackles a year ago, more than doubling his previous season high. Joey Dawson will once again hold down the free safety spot after coming up with 80 tackles and four forced fumbles in just nine games last season.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Chris Beckman ranked second in C-USA in 2003 with an average of 43.5 yards per punt, and he is back to handle punting duties once again this season. Barrett Pepper, who was thrust into the starting kicker role as a true freshman last year, will need to do better this season if he wants to hang on to his job. He hit 40-of-42 PATs, but made just 3-of-7 field goal attempts.

OUTLOOK: Tulane was abused on defense last season, but with numerous returning players it should be able to improve in that area. However, the club lost its two superstars, each of whom played highly skilled positions in quarterback and running back. Replacing Moore and Losman will not be an easy task, especially with no proven gunslinger on the roster. It should be a difficult season for the Wave, although if the offense gets on track early, it could get interesting.