I had to write a men's hoops preview yesterday that will run Saturday in the paper in addition to the football notebook that ran today, so I had no time to transcribe the Tuesday presser or do a report. The practice was a walkthrough, so there''s nothing to report there.

Jon Sumrall is a more traditional coach than Willie Fritz, hyping up every opponent as dangerous when Fritz was so intent on being even keeled that he did not do it much. You'd think Charlotte was Alabama the way Sumrall talked about the 49ers yesterday. He definitely wants to ensure Charlotte has his players' full attention on a short week with back-to-back road games, something no other team in the country has experienced this year except for Texas State, which played at Sam Houston (in a game Sam Houston moved to the Houston Texans home stadium an hour away from its campus) and then traveled to Troy. Texas State had no trouble with the second leg, dispatching Troy 38-17, but it had lost by 1 to Sam Houston in an upset.

Sumrall, Dontae Fleming and Jack Tchienchou, who led the team in tackles against North Texas, spoke yesterday. I really liked Tchienchou in spring drills and still do. The fact that he does not start is an indication of the real depth Tulane has this year on defense--the best depth by far in the years I've covered the team. Tyler Grubbs, the leading tackler for the year, has 35 stops, which is an incredibly low number for the top guy. He's on pace for about 60 tackles for the year, when he had 75 a year ago. Jesus Machado had 98 last season. Darian Williams had 131 in 2022. Macon Clark's 73 in 2021, when Tulane played only 12 games, was the low for the Fritz era. Darian Williams had 98 in 2020, Chase Kuerschen 76 in 2019, Zachery Harris 95 in 2018, Rae Juan Marbley 96 in 2017 and Nico Marley 86 in 2016.

Tulane's leading tacklers this year have been Bailey Despanie (Southeastern), Rayshawn Pleasant (Kansas State), Sam Howard (Oklahoma), Grubbs (ULL and South Florida), Micah Robinson (UAB), Robinson and Despanie (Rice) and Tchienchou.

SUMRALL

"Back-to-back road trips against really good opponents. Charlotte's a really good team. On film they are as talented as anybody in our conference. I watch them and athlete for athlete they are really, really good, so we've got our work cut out for us and it's going to be a hostile environment. We have to get ready to play."

On what concerns him the most about QB Deshawn Purdie:

"He has a really big arm. He can throw it. He has a 67-yard push I believe on the one post. He threw it probably 70-plus yards because it was a little big diagonal. He's got a huge arm, is a good runner (actually, he has carried 25 times for minus-120 yards, with sacks counting toward rushing total in college), very talented, gifted athlete. He's an elite athlete and he has a huge arm. The shot plays really scare with you. He's an explosive play waiting to happen in the throw game or the run game (he had a 15-yard run against North Carolina and none longer than 5 since then). We've got to be really good if he is the guy. If he's not the guy, get ready for whoever."

On if they are preparing for both quarterbacks (Florida transfer Max started against Memphis before being pulled for ineffectiveness):

"Their skill set's maybe different to some degree. They have a really good offensive identity. It's just like anything. One guy may be better in a certain area of his game, so you have to know what a guy's strengths are, but the offense is good either way. They really lean on the run game a lot. They've got a great running back group, a really good O-line. This team is really good. I can't tell you enough. Their record, you can throw that out. Watch them on tape last week against Memphis. They are really good, so we've go to be prepared."

On his respect for the AAC:

"There are a lot of athletic teams. Look, I go back to UAB and their receiver room I thought was elite going into the game, and when I left the game, if you ask our guy who play slot corner for us, our spears, they would tell you those guys at slot were dangerous. Everybody in this league has players at certain spots, and everybody has different strengths. These guys are littered with Power 4 transfers (40 by my count) on the roster. It's like we're playing a Power 4 team in our conference this week is what it feels like off the ability they have. That's who they are. The league's very challenging, week in and week out. There's no lay-up."

On difficulty of short week:

"You have to be fast and fresh. The worse thing we can do is make our guys worn down all week. Quick turnaround, so you have to be fast and fresh. Greg McMahon and I say to each other a lot, play songs that they know the words to. Don't turn on a new song they've never heard before and ask them to sing the lyrics because they don't know it. Give them a song they know the lyrics to. We have some game plan adjustment things that are unique and different for every game. Even in a short week you have to have some, but do what we do well and be who we are, that gives us the best chance to be fast and fresh and know what to do."

On difference this week from the prep for Rice game:

"Two weeks ago today I was pissed after practice. I was about ready to pull somebody's face off. This week has been really good. The condensed part of the deal can help you in some ways. Now the back-to-back road trips may be not how you would design it they had handed the schedule to me, but I felt a much better focus in our practices. That (the Rice practice issues) were coming off the bye. This group, we're going to be ready to play. They better be. I told them on Sunday's team meeting this is on ESPN, the mother ship, not after dodge ball, not before pingpong. It's really ESPN, so you've got to be ready for a game like this, and if you're not, you have a problem."

On seeing Charlotte for first time:

"You're trying to figure out who are their players. You're also trying to figure out the scheme is so different. That's what makes college football unique. Last year we played an air raid, up-tempo, throw the ball for 400 or 500 yards if they could team. This week we're playing more of a pro style offense (this has always killed me in college football that teams which run most of the time are labeled pro style when NFL teams pass most of the time) with multiple tight ends, run the ball down your throat, take shots off the running game and the play action. You're dealing with identifying the personnel and the schematics that they use and how does it affect what we do. You just have to press fast forward on some of that, and then the travel component, we got back Saturday night and we'll leave tomorrow. It feels like we just got home, so there are a lot of moving parts."

On Tchienchou:

"Jack's a really smart kid. He's a very talented athlete. He played a lot of different positions at his high school. He went to St. Pius in Atlanta. He's really gifted. He's fast, explosive, twitchy, makes plays, is a high-energy guy who positively affects other people around him. It's been fun to watch him grow at free safety. He's been involved as a depth returner for us. He's got a bright future."

On Patrick Jenkins:

"Pat Jenkins is the foundational piece of this team. He's been here for several years (three) now. He went to John Ehret High, left early in college (to TCU) and then came back home. When the coaching transition happened back in December, he could very easily have decided to leave. There were a lot of people who would have loved for him to go somewhere else, and he chose to stay. I think mom was a big component of that. He lived with mom. I cannot understate that relationship. He's a special guy. We talk about family, and we live it. He's family to us. He's back with his team and better for that and I know we're better for it, too, but you could not ask for a more quality young man that Patrick Jenkins. Heartbreaking situation, but we love him and it's been a joy having him back and we're walking through this together with him because that's what families do, that's who we are."

On Sumrall family game plan for Halloween:

"I just found out last night my street's like shut down or something. Whatever they're doing I can guarantee you my wife will have the game on. She's addicted more than I am, so they'll have the TV out and they'll be watching. I'm sure they'll dress up. I asked my son what he was dressed up as he said a football player. I said, come on, you've got to be more original than that. That's not very creative. They'll be watching it. They'll try to get a little trick or treating done, but they'll be watching it. The kids love it."

As always, the Tulane game counts double, home teams are listed first, neutral games are designated as such and the point spreads come from VegasInsider.com.

Charlotte (+16.5) Tulane
Arkansas (+7) Ole Miss
Penn State (+3.5) Ohio State
Georgia (-16.5) Florida (Jacksonville)
Michigan (+14.5) Oregon
Clemson (-10.5) Louisville
South Carolina (+2.5) Texas A&M
SMU (-7.5) Pittsburgh

The Monday practice was open to reporters today with the short week, and one way they took the work load off the players was to have them take off their shoulder pads midway through the workout when they got to scout-team work. Jon Sumrall is very conscientious about keeping his guys as fresh as possible, looking for the perfect balance between preparation and physical recovery.

Patrick Jenkins was back out there, and it goes without saying his return will be invaluable. Matthew Fobbs-White had the only sack against North Texas, and the Wave's five tackles for loss were its fewest in four AAC games. I think Kam Hamilton has been more effective outside than inside this year, and this will allow him to move back to end with a starting unit of him, Eric Hicks, Jenkins and Fobbs-White, with Adin Huntington factoring in heavily at bandit, too, and Gerrod Henderson spelling Hamilton at end. Tulane's depth up front will be very helpful against a Charlotte team that is coming off a frustrating last-minute loss to Memphis. Fobbs-White, who did not have a tackle other than his huge strip sack against North Texas, is going to be a heck of a player. He made a nice interception about 15 yards down the field against the scout team today.

Linebacker Makai Williams, who has not played much other than on special teams this year, was getting reps today as the fifth linebacker in the rotation. Charlotte has not passed more than 23 times in a game since freshman DeShawn Purdle became the starter, and I'm guessing Tulane feels its linebackers are going to be heavily involved. Purdle is not a running threat at all, but he has a strong (though inaccurate) arm. Tulane should win this game comfortably if the players have their heads in the right place.

Sumrall, Tyler Grubbs and Alex Bauman spoke to me after practice:

SUMRALL

On playing two road games in six days:

"You play the hand you're dealt, so I don't really worry too much about it. Is it unique to play road and road with a short week? Sure. I haven't dealt with that much, but for us, it's about making sure we're as mentally prepared and as physically prepared as we can be to play our best. Today was kind of a Tuesday and a Wednesday combined. Tomorrow is a Thursday, Wednesday is a Friday and then Thursday is our Saturday, so you lose a couple of days on the calendar. Yesterday had to be a Monday for us. You're sped up a little, and you just have to plan accordingly and make sure we get ourselves an opportunity to be prepared to go play our best."

On his stressing toughness as a team mantra:

"First off, I'd say toughness is a talent. We talk about it all the time. It's one of our four core values. It was probably my biggest fear about this team back in spring practice. I was concerned were we as tough as we needed to be. I feel like we have grown in that area as much as any. I'm such a believer that toughness travels. Tough teams find a way to win. Tough teams don't back down. I talk a lot about being smart tough, not dumb tough. I'm not interested in maybe beating our chests. It's just being mentally resilient and fighting through adversity and never backing down. I think our guys have practiced that way. They've really embraced that core value as much as any in this training camp through the year."

On coaching toughness:

"You just embody it every day. I'm a firm believer that players are going to emulate some of the actions that coaches have. The old adage that if you prepare, practice and train soft, you'll play soft. If you prepare, practice and train hard, you can play tough. You don't ever rise to the occasion. You follow the level of your training, so how are you trained? We try to train tough, and I think our guys embrace that."

On Tyler Grubbs showing toughness after hurting his knee three days before the USF game:

"He's the embodiment of it. When your best players and your leaders take on that trait, other guys follow it. In particular our inside linebacker room with Grubbs and Sam (Howard), two tough guys that play the game hard and play the game the right way, guys follow that. Makhi Hughes is a really tough dude on our offense, and he happens to be a really good player. Well, guys follow that, so when your best players are also your toughest guys it makes a really good combination for your team."

On Alex Bauman's importance to the offense:

"Ridiculous. Yeah. He's one of those unsung guys who's just so consistent and steady. He's very detailed. He's a great pass catcher. Everybody recognizes that. He's a better blocker than people realize. He understands angles and leverage. He's tough. He had a hit where we all were like, oh goodness, and then he's back in a couple of games. He brings so much to the table for our offense that makes us more multiple."

Boise State is still in the driver's seat and will need to lose for any other team to get the playoff spot, even in the unlikely event Army goes undefeated.

1) Boise State (7-1)

Comment: The Broncos were in a little bit of trouble against UNLV and could not open consistent holes for Ashton Jeanty, but they did enough to win a tough game on the road. No team has a better loss than theirs, by 3 at No. 1 Oregon on a tie-breaking field goal in the final minute. I think San Diego State has a shot to get them this week in a letdown game in Boise. San Diego State was up 12 on Washington State in the fourth quarter on Saturday when a long pass bounced off the hands of an Aztecs DB and into the hands of a Washington State receiver, sparking the Cougars' comeback victory. The Aztecs are better than their 3-4 record indicates.

2) Tulane (6-2)

Comment: Tulane has a chance to build a resume that will be tough to top for any team other than Boise State. Although Oklahoma's descent is not helping, the way Kansas State, ULL and Memphis continue to win is a big deal. A 12-1 Tulane with a good loss to Kansas State and victories against Navy, Memphis, ULL and Army in the AAC Championship Game would be compelling. The Wave still is not clicking on all cylinders on either side of the ball, but it is playing plenty well enough to keep winning.

3) UNLV (6-2)

Comment: I'm not dropping UNLV for losing a hard-fought game to Boise State. The Running Rebels played like they have in every game I've see this year, showing toughness and an ability to hang closer than their talent level suggests. The trick now is keeping that same toughness after an emotional defeat. One slip-up would keep them out of the Mountain West title game, and 3-0 Colorado State has a much easier schedule (no Boise, no UNLV, no San Diego State) in a league that plays only seven conference games.

4) Army (7-0)

Comment: Army has not played anyone, but it has done what good teams should do to inferior opponents--score touchdowns on it opening drive every time and never trail in seven straight blowouts. We will learn how good this team is when it plays at North Texas on Nov. 9 in what should be a bad matchup for the Army defense assuming Chandler Morris is healthy enough to play. A win there would almost assure Army of a spot in the AAC title game.

5) Navy (6-1)

Comment: Navy never was going to beat Notre Dame, but a finger injury that star quarterback Blake Horvath carried into that game gave the Middies no shot to be competitive. He was loose with the ball as a team that had lost zero fumbles all year and committed only two turnovers coughed it up six times against the Irish. That's a recipe for a debacle, which is what it became. If Horvath is OK, I don't see anyone on the November schedule other than Tulane that can trouble Navy, so the Wave game on Nov. 16 will be huge.

6) UL-Lafayette (6-1)

Comment: I'm still skeptical about this team, but the Cajuns gave Tulane plenty of trouble in sauna-like conditions in September and have not lost since then. They face a big test at Texas State tomorrow night before three straight home games against Arkansas State, South Alabama and Troy. None of those are gimmes except for probably Troy, but if they win tomorrow, they will be in good shape to reach the Sun Belt title game. They are not in the picture for a playoff berth.

7) Memphis (7-1)

Comment: I can't fathom how the Tigers cracked the coaches' top 25 this week after needing a long touchdown drive in the last 80 seconds to overcome a 4-point deficit to Charlotte at home. They have a ton of talent, but they look bad for stretches of every game, including giving up 75-yard touchdowns to North Texas on the first two offensive plays two weeks ago. Still, it is hard to imagine them losing to UTSA, Rice or UAB in their next three games, so they very well could be playing for a spot in the AAC championship game when they face Tulane on Thanksgiving. They are dangerous but darned inconsistent.

8) North Texas (5-3)

Comment: The Mean Green is not physical enough to beat the top contenders in the AAC, but man, that pass offense is dangerous. The combination of bubble screens and big plays to an array of talented receivers and one great one make this team a scary opponent. If they beat Army in two weeks, they might not lose again.

9) Western Kentucky (5-2)

Comment: Look for the Hilltoppers to win their next three games for sure, and they probably will beat overrated Liberty on the road after that. My (hypothetical) money is on them to win Conference USA.

10) Old Dominion (4-4)

Comment: The Monarchs nearly beat South Carolina in their opener and have hit their stride in the past two games, winning comfortably at Texas State, which many people thought was the best team in the Sun Belt, and blowing out Georgia Southern, which I thought was the best team in the Sun Belt. We could be looking at an Old Dominion-ULL Sun Belt title game.