What Pete Golding said Tulane has changed since Ole Miss rout ahead of CFP rematch
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Ole Miss football handled Tulane for a fairly easy 45-10 win at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 20.
They play again in the first round of the College Football Playoff when the No. 6 seed Rebels (11-1) host the Green Wave (11-2) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Dec. 20 (2:30 p.m., TNT).
Rebels coach Pete Golding, promoted after Lane Kiffin left for LSU, said they’ve noticed some differences in Tulane as they prepare for the rematch three months later.
“I think this is not Week 4 Tulane,” Golding said on Dec. 15. “Obviously they won their conference, and they beat the ACC champion (Duke). They’re playing at a high level, they’re scoring a lot of points and they’re doing a lot of things really, really well.”
The Green Wave only lost once at UTSA after playing Ole Miss. They enter the CFP on a five-game winning streak, including a 34-21 win against North Texas in the American Conference championship game.
Golding said most of the changes will likely be from personnel though, rather than large scheme adjustments.
“They are going to be who they are,” Golding said. “You don’t get to this point in college football trying to change who you are and change an offense and change a defense.”
Golding specifically pointed to the running backs. Arnold Barnes III had the most carries for Tulane against Ole Miss — 11 rushes for 47 yards — but only has 10 carries in the last five games.
Quarterback Jake Retzlaff is Tulane’s leading rusher with 610 yards and 16 touchdowns, followed by running back Javin Gordon at 505 yards and five touchdowns.
Retzlaff completed 5 of his 17 pass attempts for 56 yards against Ole Miss with 51 rushing yards. He had just transferred from BYU right before preseason practice.
“I think he first got to Tulane like in August of this year,” defensive tackle Will Echoles said. “I’m sure he’s got more comfortable with the offense and what they do. I’m sure he’ll be way better this game.”
Golding noted that All-American Conference third-team offensive tackle Derrick Graham didn’t play against the Rebels in September.
“I think he’s probably their best offensive lineman, so some of that has moved around a little bit,” Golding said.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss vs Tulane, what Pete Golding said has changed for CFP rematch
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