The Green Wave travel to Houston seeking their fifth victory of the season as Will Hall’s squad attempts to rebound from a difficult loss to Tulsa.

STWF SPORTS | HOUSTON, Texas | NOVEMBER 14, 2026 – The Tulane Green Wave return to the road Saturday afternoon with an opportunity to regain momentum when they face the Rice Owls in an American Conference matchup at First Community Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT, with the contest streaming on ESPN+.

Tulane (4-5) enters the matchup looking to recover from a disappointing 60-10 home loss to Tulsa, while Rice (1-8, 0-5 American) hopes to reverse its struggles in conference play.

With three regular-season games remaining, the Green Wave need two victories to reach six wins and strengthen their postseason bowl eligibility hopes.

Green Wave Seeking Defensive Response

Tulane’s most recent performance exposed significant defensive concerns as Tulsa scored 60 points at Yulman Stadium.

The 50-point defeat marked the program’s largest margin of defeat in American Conference competition.

Tulsa’s offensive production also represented the most points surrendered by Tulane since allowing 61 against Ole Miss in 2021.

For first-year head coach Will Hall, Saturday presents an opportunity to demonstrate his team’s ability to respond to adversity.

Tulane enters averaging 21.1 points offensively while allowing 29.2 points per contest.

The Green Wave must establish greater defensive consistency to avoid another difficult afternoon.

Johnnie Daniels Leads Tulane’s Ground Attack

Running back Johnnie Daniels remains one of Tulane’s most important offensive weapons.

Daniels leads the Green Wave with 542 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 89 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt.

His explosiveness could provide opportunities against a Rice defense surrendering approximately 178 rushing yards per game.

Quarterback Trace Johnson has completed 76 of 125 passes for 818 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Johnson’s ability to manage the offense and protect possession will be critical.

Wide receiver Destyn Hill leads Tulane with 36 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns.

Establishing an effective rushing attack could create favorable passing opportunities while helping the Green Wave control the tempo.

Rice Presents Dangerous Rushing Challenge

Despite its record, Rice possesses a rushing attack capable of challenging Tulane’s defense.

Quarterback Jacurri Brown leads the Owls with 686 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 124 carries.

Brown has also thrown for 478 yards and three touchdowns, providing Rice with a dual-threat offensive option.

The Owls average approximately 270 rushing yards per game, making their ground attack the central concern for Tulane.

Rice averages 21.2 points and 363.6 total yards per contest.

The Green Wave must maintain defensive discipline against Brown and prevent explosive rushing plays.

Tulane Defense Looks Toward Key Playmakers

Linebacker Dickson Agu leads Tulane with 86 tackles, averaging 9.6 per contest.

Safety Kevin Adams III has also been a standout, leading the nation with an average of 6.33 solo tackles per game.

Both defenders will play important roles in containing Rice’s rushing offense.

Tulane’s special teams could provide another advantage.

The Green Wave rank fourth nationally with three blocked kicks and have limited opposing punt returns to just 2.69 yards per attempt.

Generating favorable field position could help an offense seeking improved consistency.

Historic Rivalry Adds Intrigue

Saturday marks the 38th meeting between Tulane and Rice.

The Owls hold a 20-17-1 advantage in the all-time series, including a 13-7 record in Houston.

However, Tulane has won the previous two meetings.

The Green Wave secured a 30-28 victory at Rice in October 2023, continuing their recent success against the Owls.

Saturday provides another opportunity to narrow Rice’s historical advantage.

Keys to Victory

Tulane must limit turnovers, establish its ground game and prevent Rice from controlling possession.

Defensively, containing Brown will be the primary challenge.

Rice has struggled to consistently generate offense through the air, averaging just 93.2 passing yards per game.

Forcing the Owls into predictable passing situations could favor Tulane’s defense.

Offensively, Daniels’ rushing production and Johnson’s decision-making will be essential.

STWF Sports Final Takeaway

Saturday represents an important opportunity for Tulane to stabilize its season.

The Green Wave have demonstrated resilience throughout recent campaigns, but their performance against Tulsa highlighted the importance of defensive accountability.

For Tulane, winning the line of scrimmage, containing Rice’s rushing attack and protecting the football will be critical to securing a much-needed road victory.

With upcoming conference matchups against North Texas and South Florida, the Green Wave cannot afford to overlook the Owls.

A victory in Houston would move Tulane one step closer to bowl eligibility and provide valuable momentum entering the final stretch of the regular season.

STWF Sports | Tulane Green Wave Football | FBS & American Conference Coverage | 2026 Season