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Wake Forest vs. Tulane prediction and game preview for the opening contest of the 2016 season. Find out who’s projected to win the matchup between the Demon Deacons and Green Wave.

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Wake Forest vs. Tulane Game Preview

Broadcast Info

Date: Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET

Venue: BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, NC

Television Station: ESPN3

Wake Forest vs. Tulane Storylines

The Demon Deacons enter Dave Clawson’s third season looking to make a big jump offensively after a slight improvement in 2015. The offensive line must improve dramatically, as the unit has allowed a whopping 88 sacks over the last two seasons. Wake’s depth chart was littered with underclassmen in 2015, and Clawson’s recruiting efforts have improved the talent level. But he needs to now start translating that improved talent into victories.

Meanwhile, the Green Wave come into 2016 under new head coach Willie Fritz, who helped build programs at Central Missouri, Sam Houston State and Georgia Southern. He replaces Curtis Johnson, and the offense will now center on an option-based attack, which has helped Fritz turn programs around in the past.

Here’s a look at some of the statistics as we head into the season opener.

Statistics reflect the 2015 college football season.

Tulane Offensive Stats

Passing Offense: 201.3 ypg
Rushing Offense: 115.8 ypg
Total Offense: 317.1 ypg
Scoring Offense: 19.7 ppg

Wake Forest Offensive Stats

Passing Offense: 228.3 ypg
Rushing Offense: 105.2 ypg
Total Offense: 333.4 ypg
Scoring Offense: 17.4 ppg

Tulane Defensive Stats

Passing Defense: 233.4 ypg
Rushing Defense: 178.8 ypg
Total Defense: 412.2 ypg
Scoring Defense: 36.2 ppg
Turnover Margin: .08

Wake Forest Defensive Stats

Passing Defense: 202.5
Rushing Defense: 161.3
Total Defense: 363.8 ypg
Scoring Defense: 24.6 ppg
Turnover Margin: -1.08

Wake Forest vs. Tulane Betting Odds

Spread: Wake Forest -16

Over/Under: 47

Matchup to Watch

Tulane option attack vs. Wake Forest defense

The Green Wave will deal with some growing pains on offense this fall. Ranked No. 119 in offense last season, a change was necessary. It will take time for the option-based attack to gel, and end Wendell Dunn leads a pretty solid Wake front seven.

Advantages

Offense: Wake Forest. The Deacons get the nod here because of Cam Serigne, who is one of the ACC’s best tight ends, as well as wideout Cortez Lewis, who had 47 catches as a freshman.

Defense: Tulane. Two all-AAC players—linebacker Nico Marley and defensive tackle Tanzel Smart—anchor the unit that is the strength of the Green Wave.

Special Teams: Tulane. Wake lost Alex Kinal, who is the NCAA’s career leader in punts and punting yardage. Clearly, he was a byproduct of below-average Deacon offenses.

Coaching: Tulane. Clawson is slowly turning Wake Forest around, but Fritz built programs at Central Missouri, Sam Houston State and Georgia Southern. He’ll do it again in New Orleans.

Intangibles: Wake Forest. The Deacons will have a home night crowd in their corner.

Wake Forest vs. Tulane Prediction

The Green Wave will suffer through some growing pains, but it will be worth it for the longterm health of the program. The Deacons need to take care of their non-conference schedule because the home schedule will allow them to contend for six wins and a bowl berth. They’ll start with a Week 1 win behind steady enough quarterback play.

Final Score Prediction For Wake Forest vs. Tulane: Wake Forest 23, Tulane 16

MORE: 2016 College Football Bowl Projections