1. WIN THE QUARTERBACK BATTLE
Tulane redshirt freshman Darian Mensah, who was recruited by no other FBS program, has completed 71% of his passes for 547 yards in his first two career games and appears to be a budding star. Oklahoma sophomore Jackson Arnold, a 5-star prospect who had an offer from every big-time college football school, has thrown 16 more passes for 232 fewer yards despite getting experience as the Sooners’ bowl starter a year ago. If both of them play true to their early-season form, it is advantage Green Wave.
2. FINISH THE PASS RUSH
Right before his go-ahead 45-yard touchdown pass on fourth and 1 in the fourth quarter last Saturday, Kansas State’s Avery Johnson slithered his way out of two sacks that would have put him behind the chains. If the Wave had tackled him on either play, the final result might have been different. Arnold, not as nifty as Johnson, was sacked three times apiece by Temple and Houston. Tulane has to ratchet up the pressure and bring Arnold to the ground. Its only two sacks this season came from backup tackles Kam Hamilton and Parker Peterson against Southeastern.
3. HOLD ON TO THE BALL
Oklahoma blew out Temple 51-3 in its opener mainly because it forced six turnovers, including four fumbles. The Sooners added two takeaways against Houston, raising their total to a nation-best eight thanks to an aggressive, hard-hitting defense. Counting Dontae Fleming’s muff against Southeastern, Tulane has put the ball on the ground three times, and Mensah’s fumble that turned into a scoop and score was the pivotal play against Kansas State. The banged-up Sooners are down to their fourth-string center and are without four top receivers. If they do not feed off turnovers, they might starve.
4. RELY ON THE REFS
Just kidding. Sort of. It is standard practice for the road team’s conference to supply the officials for nonconference games, and that will be the case with an American Athletic Conference crew working this game. In the loss to Kansas State, a Big 12 official flagged Fleming for offensive pass interference, wiping out a touchdown pass to Yulkeith Brown that could have tied the score in the final seconds. Tulane coach Jon Sumrall disputed the call. If this game is tight down the stretch, maybe the flags will be friendlier from the AAC refs.