How good has #20 Tulane been, this season?

BY JAKE WEINSTOCK

The bye week. The dreaded bye week. While often quite useful for coaches and players alike, as they rest, recharge, refocus, and get set for the remaining run of the season, it can often be quite a low-point on the calendar of any fan. After all, our Tulane Green Wave have won eight (8) straight games, having not lost since September 14 in Norman, Oklahoma -- I'd much rather spend this Saturday at Yulman Stadium than at home doing laundry. But as we have the weekend off, and therefore there is no pregame preview to write, I thought I would take a moment and try and contextualize just how strong Tulane has been this season. Out of 134 FBS qualifiers, here's where they rank in the following categories:

Offense:

Points Per Game: 4th (39.3)

Yards Per Game: 28th (430.6)

Yards Per Play: 24th (6.2)

Points Per Play: 7th (0.568)

Punts Per Offensive Score: 5th (0.5)

3rd Down Conversion %: 5th (50.77%)

Yards Per Pass Attempt: 7th (9.1)

Yards Per Rush Attempt: 32nd (5.0)

Offensive Touchdowns Per Game: 12th (4.5)

Expected Points Added Per Dropback: 15th (0.098)

Expected Points Added Per Rush: 39th (0.037)

Defense

Points Per Game: 11th (18.7)

Yards Per Game: 10th (299.4)

Yards Per Play: 31st (4.9)

Points Per Play: 23rd (0.304)

Punts Per Offensive Score: 18th (1.5)

3rd Down Conversion %: 3rd (27.64%)

Yards Per Pass Attempt: 14th (5.9)

Yards Per Rush Attempt: 64th (4.2)

Offensive Touchdowns Per Game: 14th (2.1)

Expected Points Added Per Dropback: 13th (-0.093)

Expected Points Added Per Rush: 37th (-0.039)

Not impressed yet? Well how about this?

Through seven (7) conference games, Tulane has outscored their opponents 306-86 (+220), en route to starting 7-0 in league play.

At this time last year, Tulane was similarly 7-0 in league play, but had outscored their conference opponents by a score of 192-140 (+52).

We are, quite possibly, witnessing the best team in school history play. This run over Tulane's 8-game winning streak has been remarkable. Even better? Their season goals are still in play; (1) win a conference championship, and (2) earn a berth to the College Football Playoff.

Just some things to ponder this weekend, as we not-so-patiently wait for next Thursday night.