Thanksgiving is Thursday. What should Tulane football fans be thankful for?
The Green Wave have fallen on hard times in 2014; getting blown out a handful of games, starting the season off with a double-overtime defeat, and catching the injury cold (not necessarily the bug) at various points in the season.
Even with a 3-8 record and no hope at making back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1979-1980, the Green Wave have given fans a nice helping of stuff to be thankful for, some of which you may not have thought of.
Put down your fork and hold off on the gravy for a bit, Tulane fans, and see what you should be thankful for this season.
Membership in the American Athletic Conference
Leaving a conference you helped found is never easy … ha, just kidding.
People who hold allegiances to programs outside of the AAC often choose the overused, and unoriginal, ” Conference USA 2.0″ moniker when describing the new AAC. Nine of the 11 members once held membership in the original “American” named conference, so C-USA 2.0 is a nickname that actually makes sense.
But don’t confuse C-USA with the AAC; the American is a different beast entirely.
Tulane fans, be thankful this holiday that your Green Wave play in the best Group of Five conference — the Mountain West is the only G5 league that comes close to matching the strength of the AAC.
Who would you rather play week-to-week: UTEP, North Texas, Middle Tennessee State, and FAU, or Memphis, Houston, East Carolina, and UCF?
The AAC may be full of former C-USA dwellers, but their the best former C-USAers of the bunch.
Playing in arguably the best non-power conference gives Tulane the best opportunity to make a major bowl if the Green Wave ever rekindle the magic from the 12-0 1998 season.
Winning at Houston
This one is pretty self explanatory.
When your team is likely to finish the season 3-9, be thankful that they scored at least one upset in a disappointing year. The Green Wave knocked off the 7-4 Cougars 31-24 in Houston earlier in November, giving fans a reason to celebrate while also proving this team has talent in place to compete in its new conference.
Always be thankful for big road wins; they never get old.
Running backs Sherman Badie, Dontrell Hilliard, and Lazedrick Thompson
Sherman Badie started the freshman takeover at running back when he rushed for 215 yards in Week 1 at Tulsa — including a 90-yard touchdown run. Dontrell Hilliard continued the youth movement in the Tulane backfield rushing for 123 yards on Halloween against Cincinnati. Sophomore Lazedrick Thompson has been the perfect relief-back, scoring the most touchdowns, four, out of the three headed backfield.
Badie is third on the AAC yards per carry list at 5.94 yards per rush. Minor injuries and bruises have hindered the freshman’s overall performance since the Green Wave played Tulsa. No big deal, though. Another freshman back, Hilliard, and the second year Thompson have showen they can carry the load when Badie is sidelined.
Talant alone can’t win a team championships. Neither can throwing the ball on every down. Depth and a consistent running game are a vital piece of a championship-caliber offense.
Give thanks, Tulane fans, for the young talent toting the pigskin for your team. The Badie-Hilliard-Thompson combination could help lead the Green Wave to a special season in the coming years.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aApkVUs_9Ns]Freshman cornerback Parry Nickerson
Nickerson is visual proof of Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson’s recruiting strategy beginning to take shape.
The New Orleans native is shocking the Green Wave faithful with his phenomenal play this season. Nickerson is tied for first in the AAC, No. 4 nationally with six interceptions. If Nickerson played for a contender instead of a 3-8 squad, he’d probably have more recognition at this point.
Johnson is trying to bring more overlooked New Orleans area talent to Tulane. He’s starting to reap his efforts with Nickerson’s veteran-like play.
Watch out for Nickerson, Tulane fans. He’ll be giving you a lot to be thankful for in the next few years.
Underclassmen
Of the 108 players listed on Tulane’s roster, 67 are either freshmen or sophomores. That’s a lot of young guns.
The players mentioned above are the poster boys for a very youthful team, but 6-foot-4 freshman quarterback Tanner Lee is another young seedling that could blossom into something special before his Green Wave career is over.
A youthful team can drive a coach crazy because of the groups lack of experience. But Johnson knows that youthful teams eventually become experienced teams.
Chew on this nugget for a little while: this time next year at least 67 players on Tulane’s roster will be sophomores or juniors.
Sound more experienced?
Yulman Stadium
The new Uptown on-campus stadium may be the shining star Tulane fans should be most thankful for.
Playing home games in an actual on-campus stadium shouldn’t be taken for granted. The Super Dome is a great place to play — for an NFL team, not a small private school in the Crescent City.
Tulane fans, you now have your own stadium to enjoy that you don’t have to share with a bunch of professionals. You also might have one of the few keys to bringing in more talent to the Green Wave program.
High school seniors like shiny new toys. You have one in Yulman Stadium.
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