Tulane enters its second season under coach Bob Toledo with some big shoes to fill, but plenty to be encouraged about.

The Green Wave was picked to finish last in the C-USA West last summer but finished tied for third in the division and finished 4-8 overall, 3-5 in C-USA after a 1-5 start.

Tulane must replace 14 starters, but only six of those seniors started the final game against East Carolina. Unfortunately for the Green Wave, one of those seniors was tailback Matt Forte, who ran for 2,127 yards and 23 touchdowns last fall.

The Green Wave must also replace solid defensive players such as linemen Antonio Harris and Avery Williams and defensive backs Joe Goosby and Carlis Jackson, but no one job will be harder to fill than Forte's, especially with no obvious replacements.

Tulane must also solidify its quarterback situation after starting three different quarterbacks this season. Junior Anthony Scelfo is more experienced, a better runner and a more fiery leader than sophomore Kevin Moore, but Moore is the better passer and showed more potential to create big plays last season. Their development and competition will go a long way toward determining the direction of the offense.

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