USC vs Tulane Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Prediction, Game Preview

USC plays Tulane in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on January 2, 2023.

USC is coming off a disappointing 11-2 season. Tulane won the American Athletic Conference and is looking to establish itself as the Group of Five's biggest power. The Cotton Bowl is in need of a good game. It's Lincoln Riley's second bowl game in four tries. He won a 55-20 Sugar Bowl against Florida in 2020. In 2019 Penn State and Memphis will play in the Cotton. They have won 14 of the last 15 Cotton Backs decided by 8 points or more. It was a different team last year. Alabama won it. Last year Alabama disposed of Cincinnati in College Football Playoff.

Tulane won the American Athletic Conference championship with 254 rushing yards against UCF. The Green Wave have the best defense in the AAC in points allowed and third down stops. USC got run over by Utah in Pac-12 Championship. USC allowed 4.7 yards per carry.

Caleb Williams will play even though he's injured. Caleb will be able to make big plays even without Jordan Addison. USC's defense hasn't been great, but it's masterful at taking the ball away. Tulane has a turnover issue, it lost the first time around against UCF.