This game in the Big Easy will be anything but easy for the Bulls. I am not saying I think the Green Wave will win, but I think it’s not going to be a simple victory for USF (6-0, 3-0 AAC).

But maybe I’m wrong.

Maybe Charlie Strong has finally gotten through to his team about playing ALL FOUR QUARTERS. Coach Strong was not happy after last Saturday’s 33-3 win over Cincinnati. He said his guys were not as sharp or focused as they should have been and placed the blame on the coaching staff.

Strong reiterated his message on Tuesday.

“When you look around college football you see the teams that should be winning and they lose,” said Strong. “Don’t let that happen to you.”

I think Strong knew this was the perfect time to challenge his guys. They had just tied Oregon for the longest streak with 30+ points for 23 straight games. They held the Bearcats to three points. And they extended the longest active winning streak in the nation to 11 games.

"We have yet to put together a complete game on offense, a complete game on defense and a complete game in the kicking game," Strong said. "So, how good can we be?"

So, why was NOW the time to go at his team and challenge them to be better?

Because UCF is breathing down the Bulls’ necks and will be through Friday, November 24th in Orlando.

And until that time USF is not allowed to have any slips ups. It is hard enough for the AAC to gain real respect beyond the polls. One loss for #16 USF, #20 UCF or #25 Memphis and their seasons go right to the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl.

This is why Tulane has to be taken seriously and why the Bulls must respect this week’s opponent like its UCF and like its November 24th.

The Green Wave did lose to FIU last week. But go back to the way this team fought in Annapolis to a 23-21 loss to Navy. Tulane will fight and they will make you earn a victory.

Tulane is looking for its first win over a ranked opponent since they beat then #19 Vanderbilt back in October of 1984.  And the Green Wave has to go back to 1979 to find its last home victory over a ranked opponent – that was a 24-17 win over then #19 SMU.

Again, do I think Tulane, the 7th best offense in the AAC is going to find a way to get past the conference’s top defense? No. Will Quinton Flowers and the offense be kept under 30 points? No.

But I do expect fans to be nervous into the fourth quarter.

But maybe I am wrong.

PREDICTION: USF 42, Tulane 24.