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USC football: 3 takeaways from heartbreaking Cotton Bowl loss to Tulane

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) walks off the field after the game against the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) walks off the field after the game against the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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In what was probably the most exciting Cotton Bowl Classic in nearly a decade, USC football wasn’t able to hang on against a surprising Tulane team.

The Green Wave stormed back after trailing 45-30 with under five minutes left and the USC defense had yet another meltdown. It wasn’t pretty and fans are going to be searching for answers after watching the Trojans’ playoff hopes crumble in the Pac-12 title game and then losing to the Group of Five’s representative in the New Year’s Six.

What’d we learn from USC’s tough loss to Tulane?

3. Brenden Rice could be WR1 in 2023

While it’s hard to really think about anything positive when it comes to USC after blowing a big lead, Brenden Rice was a bright spot.

The Colorado transfer had the best game of his career on the big stage, catching six passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. His numbers from the Cotton Bowl loss were actually better than those from his entire freshman season two years ago. It was almost more than half of his output last year with Colorado.

With Jordan Addison moving on to the NFL, Rice will be looked at as a potential No. 1 receiver next season for Caleb Williams and the two seem to have a really good connection.

A duo of Rice and Tahj Washington next season should be elite.

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