Take Five Breakdown: Gasparilla Bowl Showdown

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• Impact Analysis: A November to Remember
• 35-Game Report Card: Napier’s numbers are still lacking
• Former Florida Player Feedback: 10 Observations
• Parental Perspective: Florida Football Commits Parental RoundTable

After a poor start to the season, the Florida Gators are traveling south to Tampa to play in the Gasparilla Bowl. After an elite recruiting class, the Gators look to finish the season strong against a strong Tulane. To get a better feel for the Green Wave, Inside the Gators caught up with Maddy Hudak, host of Before the Whistle on SI, for a full preview.

Five Tulane Green Wave Players to Know

Makhai Hughes, Running Back, Sophomore

• Tulane running back Makhai Hughes had a fantastic second season for the Green Wave. The sophomore has 1,372 yards on the ground as well as 15 rushing scores, more than doubling last year’s seven rushing touchdowns. “With the situation at quarterback… I think the running game will rally take center stage here,” Hudak said.

Mario Williams, Wide Receiver, Junior

• USC transfer receiver Mario Williams has performed as advertised this season for the Green Wave. The Tampa native has 54 receptions for 940 yards and five touchdowns. “He’s been one of the more clutch players for Tulane, and you don’t have to look any further than the Army game,” Hudak said. Against Army, he led the team in receptions with six, adding 109 yards in the air and a trip to the endzone.

Patrick Jenkins, Defensive Tackle, Senior

• The main man in the trenches for Tulane is nose tackle Patrick Jenkins. After transferring to the Green Wave from TCU for the 2022 season, the senior has been a staple for Tulane’s defensive front. This season, Jenkins has made 30 total tackles, has gotten to the quarterback 4.5 times, and has two passes defended. “For Tulane to have a chance competing in this game with Florida’s ability in the passing game, they are going to have to get there in the trenches and affect the quarterback,” Hudak said. “Jenkins will be the guy to do that.”

Micah Robinson, Defensive Back, Junior

• Furman transfer has adjusted to life in the FBS well. This season, Robinson has only allowed one touchdown while making two interceptions and scoring pick six. “He was our highest-rated defensive player on PFF, and his coverage is going to be super important,” Hudak said. It will be interesting to see who he covers between Chimere Dike and Elijah Badger.

Jack Tchienchou, Safety, Freshman

• Troy transfer Jack Tchinchou earned himself a lot of playing time this season. Since Week 2, the safety has been one of the main guys in Tulane’s secondary. “He is really just an instinctual, scrappy playmaker that has really good long speed and really seems to understand how routes declare and give that safety coverage over the top,” Hudak said. So far, the freshman has 47 total tackles and a pick-six from his. One interception.

Five Fast Facts

• Tulane leads the nation in non-offensive touchdowns (8) and defensive touchdowns (6). The Green Wave also lead the FBS in pick-sixes (5) and kickoff returns for a touchdown (tied with 2).
• The Green Wave are 9-0 when outrushing their opponent.
• Florida has played Tulane 21 times. The Gators lead the all-time series 13-6-2 and are on an 11-game winning streak.
• Tulane has won 15 of its last 17 games on the road.
• The Green Wave has never made consecutive bowl appearances.

Five Game Day Storylines

Both Tulane’s quarterbacks in the Portal

• Darian Mensah and Kai Horton were the Green Wave’s starting and backup quarterbacks. Now, with both entering the portal, Tulane will look to former five-star Oregon transfer Ty Thompson. Mensah has already found his home for next season which is Duke. Horton is still looking for a team.

Ty Thompson

• Although two quarterbacks have already entered the transfer portal, one will enter after the bowl game. That is junior Ty Thompson. Although he didn’t win the starting job, the team rallied around him. He was a mentor to Mensah even though he had nothing to gain from it. Now, he will lead Tulane for the first and last time.

Seniors Bowing Out

• It will be an emotional night for the Green Wave on Friday as a lot of seniors who have been with the program since its 2-10 season in 2021 will play for the final time. In this day and age in college sports, it is uncommon to see players staying with one program for over three seasons. College football used to be players buying into the program and following traditions. It is nice to see that some of Tulane’s older players still believe in that.

Fresh Start for Napier

• After finishing under .500 in his first two seasons at Florida, head coach Billy Napier has the opportunity to start from zero heading into 2025. Napier’s current record with the Orange and Blue is 18-19. A win against Tulane will not only make his record even but get Gator fans excited for next season.

Slow Start in the Portal

• The Florida Gators have only made one addition in the portal so far and it is punter Tommy Doman from Michigan. Fans have praised Billy Napier for his work in the portal, but they are getting a little worried with the lack of commitments. There is still a long way to go this offseason as players who have entered the portal are visiting Florida. The Gators have a golden opportunity to showcase what they are all about on Friday against Tulane.

Prediction

• Joseph Torviso: Florida 24-17
• Maddy Hudak: Tulane 30-27

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