USC vs. Tulane Cotton Bowl: Time, TV, prediction, picks, odds

USC had its eyes on the College Football Playoff before faltering in the Pac-12 championship game against Utah. Tulane finished the season 11-2.

USC plays Tulane in the Cotton Bowl on Monday, Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

ESPN is airing the Cotton Bowl.

USC plays Tulane in Cotton Bowl. Caleb Williams is a transferableable player.

USC is playing Tulane in the Cotton Bowl.

Caleb Williams is a transfer quarterback from Oklahoma. He suffered a hamstring injury in the Pac-12 title game.

USC was perfect in 2022. They beat UCLA and Notre Dame to close out the regular season. The offense scored at least 30 points in each game from Oct. 1 until the Pac-12 championship game. Their defense ranked 102nd in the nation in yards per game allowed (415.1) and 27.9 points per games.

This will be Tulane's fourth bowl appearance under coach Willie Fritz. Fritz was in the mix for the Georgia Tech job opening, but he decided to stay at Tulanee.

Tulane's junior quarterback Michael Pratt is a three-year starter. He threw for 394 yards and four touchdowns against Central Florida in the conference championship game. Five receivers caught 25 or more passes or over 25 yards on the season. Tyjae Spears had more than 100 rushing yards per game for Tulane.

Tulane will play in the New Year's Day Bowl on January 2, 2023. It will be the Green Wave's first New Years Six game since 1940.

Caleb Williams was fourth in the NCAA in total passing yards this season. Tulane's secondary will have its hands full even if Williams and the top receivers don't play.

Tulane surrendered 3.89 yards per rush during the season. USC averaged more than 5 yards a rush.

USC and Tulane are playing in the Cotton Bowl. Tulana's offense is good but lacks a true standout at wide receiver. USC's defense ranked 96th in defensive pass efficiency.

Tulane has been effective on the ground this season. Southern California's defense is better against the run.

The statistical differences are marginal in both the punting and place-kicking games and the both teams’ respective return units.

USC and Tulane are playing in the Cotton Bowl. Lincoln Riley is the coach with the most experience. Willie Fritz is no slouch himself. Tulana commits the fifth-least penalties per game in football.