Tulsa Grades

I don't think it would be too big of a stretch to say Saturday's game was the worst of the season for the defense. If the defense (and the coaching staff) continues to show a glaring inability to defend the spread offense, the Green Wave won't win more than a few games in Conference USA. Period. Then again, the defense couldn't stop the run either against Tulsa. Had it not been for three turnovers by the Golden Hurricanes,they could have easily been over 70 points.

Meanwhile, the offensive line had one of its worst games of the season. Forte didn't have any legitimate holes to run through, and blockers were never able to get him to the second level. Tulsa dared quarterback Anthony Scelfo to throw the ball deep, and the Green Wave rarely took advantage. With the loss, Tulane will not be going to a bowl game this season -- a shame, considering the season Matt Forte has had and how many wins have simply slipped out of their hands in the closing minutes of games. Here are the grades for Saturday's game:

Offense: C-

Quarterback: C-

Scelfo didn't have a bad game on paper, but the team's inability to convert on third down really comes down to the poor passing game. As mentioned above, they dared Scelfo to go deep on them and put the team on his shoulders, and they only got burned once. Backup Scott Elliot looked good on the Green Wave's final drive, although by then the game was over.

Bob Toledo better hope freshman Joe Kemp (who is redshirting right now) lives up to the hype, because the quarterback position is a major weakness on this team at this point.

Tailbacks: B+

Forte's string of 200-yard games are over, but most of that has to do with the blocking and the fact that Tulsa always had one more tackler than Tulane had blockers.

Receivers/Tight Ends: C-

The numbers look decent, but they should have been much, much better. Tulsa played Jeremy Williams and Brian King one-on-one pretty much the entire night except in obvious passing situations. The Golden Hurricanes decided that if they were going to give up yards, it would be to the Green Wave receivers. Expect to see this strategy throughout the rest of the season

Offensive Line: D-

Worst game of the season. They looked lost and unprepared for Tulsa's schemes, and even failed to block the Golden Hurricanes' defensive linemen one-on-one at times. Barry Sanders wouldn't have run for 200 yards last night.

Defense: D-

Defensive Line: D+

This experienced group looked outmatched against Tulsa upfront. It can't be a matter of talent -- this unit has more physical ability than any offensive line in the conference (if you don't believe me, feel free to take a look at the tape against LSU). It looks like a matter of motivation at this point. Avery Williams seemed like the only guy playing with a sense of urgency.

Linebackers: C-

Not a great game for the linebackers. Safety Chinonso Echebelum had to come out of the safety position to make the majority of the stops.

Defensive Backs: D-

This unit simply got whipped by Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith. Not much else to say.