Maine @ Tulane preview

It hasn’t been the best start to the season for Tulane, which was holding out hope of competing for an American Athletic Conference title heading into the campaign. The Green Wave will take a step down in competition in an effort to pick up their first win when they host FCS member Maine on Saturday.

Tulane began with an ambitious two-game slate against ACC teams with aspirations of making their own conference title game and did not fare well in losses to Duke and Georgia Tech by a combined 102-17. “Our kids are disappointed,” Green Wave coach Curtis Johnson told reporters. “They need some success and some confidence in them. We cut back on a lot of stuff at practice. We’re just going to run the stuff we know.” Tulane quarterback Tanner Lee has been sacked seven times already, and taking some pressure off by getting the running game going is one focus of the offense moving forward. Johnson hopes his offense can finally gain some traction against the Black Bears, who suffered a 24-3 loss at Boston College in their opener.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: NL

ABOUT MAINE (0-1): The Black Bears are trying to come up with some offense of their own after being held to 91 total yards at Boston College, including just seven on the ground. Quarterback Dan Collins, who was returning after an injury knocked him out of the final six games of his sophomore campaign, struggled to 12-of-29 passing and failed to throw at least one touchdown pass in a start for the first time in his career. Maine was encouraged by its defensive effort, which held the Eagles to three points until late in the first half.

ABOUT TULANE (0-2): Lee is completing 52.8 percent of his passes and was intercepted in each of the first two games, though the failures of the offensive line and running game are partly to blame. The Green Wave have manufactured only 96 yards on 56 total carries through the first two games, and tightening up the line play is the focus in practice. “We need to simplify our protections,” Johnson told reporters. “I think the backs have their hands in that as well. We need to streamline which backs we’re playing in what situations. We’re kind of playing too many guys. I think the offensive line will be fine.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Green Wave are trying to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2012.

2. Tulane LB Nico Marley leads the AAC with 19 solo tackles.

3. The Green Wave are 12-0 against current FCS members.

PREDICTION: Tulane 28, Maine 10