Ole Miss Week 2 Opponent Preview: Tulane Green Wave

Our 2023 college football preview continues this week with the Rebels' week two matchup.

OXFORD, Miss. -- After dismantling the Mercer Bears 73-7 in Week 1, the Ole Miss Rebels are set to hit the road in Week 2 to take on the No. 24 Tulane Greenwave. 

Tulane is Ole Miss' first test of the season, as the Green Wave finished their 2022 campaign as one of the best Group of Five schools in the country with an overall record of 12-2. In Week 1, Tulane took down the South Alabama Jaguars 37-17.

After defeating the USC Trojans 46-45 in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic to cap off their historic 2022-23 campaign, the Green Wave will not be a team to be taken lightly this fall. Tulane is led by junior quarterback Michael Pratt, who recorded 3,009 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season.

The Green Wave did, however, lose star running back Tyjae Spears and a handful of veteran defenders to the 2023 NFL Draft. Spear was the No. 1 option in Tulane's rushing attack last fall and led the team with 1,581 rushing yards. Running backs Iverson Celestine and Shaadie Clayton-Johnson will lead the Tulane running back room in 2023. 

The last time these two programs met in 2021, Ole Miss won by a decisive score of 61-21 in front of a home crowd. The 67th meeting between these two programs is not shaping up to be a blowout.

Ole Miss and Tulane will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Yulman Stadium. Here is an overview of what the Rebels will face when they travel to the "Big Easy."

Tulane Green Wave

2023 Record: 1-0 

Head coach: Willie Fritz (eighth season)

Fritz has an overall record of 44-45 in his time with Tulane.

Returning Offensive Leaders

Passing: Michael Pratt (Junior)

Week 1 stats: 14-15, 294 passing yards, four touchdowns, 93.3 completion percentage, 346.0 QBR

Rushing: Makhi Hughes (Freshman)

Week 1 stats: eight carries, 41 rushing yards, zero rushing touchdowns, averaged 5.1 yards per carry

Receiving: Jha'Quan Jackson (Senior)

Week 1 stats: three receptions, 106 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, averaged 35.3 yards per reception

Returning Defensive Leaders

Tackles: Corey Platt Jr. (RS Sophomore)

Week 1 stats: 15 tackles, 1.0 TFL, one sack

Interceptions: DJ Douglas (RS Junior), Lance Robinson (RS Senior)

Week 1 stats: one interception

Sacks: Patrick Jenkins (Junior), Kameron Hamilton (Sophomore)

Week 1 stats: two sacks and two TFLs