Tulane vs. UCF Prediction, Game Preview

The UCF Knights (0-4) and the Tulane Green Wave (1-2) open American play this Saturday in New Orleans. Check out the Tulane vs. UCF prediction and game preview.

Tulane vs. UCF Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 3

Game Time: 12:00 ET

Network: ESPNews

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Why You Need To Care

UCF and Tulane, two hugely disappointing American teams, will be looking to change the course of their seasons this weekend at Yulman Stadium. The bottom has fallen out for the Knights, whose winless start includes losses to Florida International and Furman. The Green Wave, at a minimum, won its game with an FCS opponent, beating Maine, 38-7, prior to having last weekend off.

Why UCF Will Win

The Knights are 0-4, but the defense deserves to be .500 right now. The D is still playing hard, yielding just 23 points per game and 3.7 yards a carry. And a quick and athletic front seven, led by LB Domenic Spencer and linemen Thomas Niles and Jamiyus Pittman, will be a step faster than the Tulane blockers.

Why Tulane Will Win

The UCF offense is an unbridled mess right now. And while the Green Wave D won’t be confused with an SEC unit anytime soon, it will keep the floundering Knights in check. As UCF QB Justin Holman remains out, Tulane will enjoy the better backfield situation with a deep stable of backs lining up behind Tanner Lee.

Player Who Matters

Injury-ravaged UCF did get one sliver of good news when it was learned that Week 1 starting RB Dontravious Wilson is expected back after being out since the opener. The Knights are averaging a mealy 2.2 yards per carry, so the junior’s return couldn’t come at a better time.

What’s Going To Happen?

While neither squad is very good, Tulane has the edge in want-to. UCF will soon be playing out the string, but the Green Wave is motivated by evening its record and knocking off one of the American’s premier programs. It will not be pretty, but Tulane will find the right formula of takeaways and field goals to keep UCF winless.