There’s little argument against the notion that Tulane has been one of the best Group of Five programs in recent years.
The Green Wave have been to the AAC Championship the past two seasons, winning it in 2022 before also securing a victory in the Cotton Bowl.
But they have a new set of challenges. Head coach Willie Fritz has moved on to Houston, with former Troy head coach Jon Sumrall taking his place. Quarterback Michael Pratt is now in the NFL, and several other stars are gone as well.
But there’s still plenty of reason to think Tulane will remain a powerhouse in the American Athletic Conference.
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Tulane Football’s AAC Title Odds
Tulane’s odds to win the AAC are +375, via BetMGM. That’s second in the conference behind only Memphis, which is at +210.
Tulane Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Tulane’s win total Over/Under is 8, with Under 8 at +120 and Over 8 at -145.
Tulane Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/29 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
9/7 vs. Kansas State
9/14 @ Oklahoma
9/21 @ Louisiana
9/28 vs. USF
10/5 @ UAB
10/19 vs. Rice
10/26 @ North Texas
10/31 @ Charlotte
11/9 vs. Temple
11/16 @ Navy
11/28 vs. Memphis
Bold indicates AAC contests
Key Tulane Football Returners
2023 All-AAC 1st Team
RB Makhi Hughes
DL Patrick Jenkins
2nd Team
LB Jesus Machado
3rd Team
OL Rashad Green
LB Tyler Grubbs
Honorable Mention
P Will Karoll
Tulane Football Should Still Be Solid On Offense & Defense
Tulane was a well-rounded team last year, which made a difference at various points throughout the season. The Green Wave were top three in the AAC in total and scoring defense and could rely on Pratt, the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, on the other side of the ball.
But Tulane lost a lot of talent to the NFL, like Pratt and wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson, and to the transfer portal through the coaching change.
At the same time, the Green Wave picked up some possible contributors. With 17 three-star prospects, Tulane’s transfer class is ranked second in the AAC by 247Sports just behind Memphis.
Former Oregon quarterback Ty Thompson transferred from Oregon to Tulane. As a sophomore while mostly sitting behind Bo Nix in 2023, he completed 24 of 31 passes for 297 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception on a 77% completion rate and rushed for 48 yards.
Tulane also brings back some star players, including running back Makhi Hughes and defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins, who were both first-team All-AAC last year. The Green Wave will also have linebackers Jesus Machado and Tyler Grubbs and offensive lineman Rashad Green, who also earned all-conference honors.
It’s now up to Sumrall to make this roster coalesce. But he proved he can do that at Troy, winning two Sun Belt Championships in as many years, and he has plenty of familiarity with Tulane having been an assistant there before.
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2024 Tulane Football Season Prediction
I predict Tulane will win eight games but won’t win the AAC Championship.
Tulane’s schedule isn’t necessarily easy, and the Green Wave have dealt with a lot of changes in the offseason. But I believe Sumrall, with the help of a strong transfer class, will make sure this program remains as one of the best in the AAC.
Make no mistake though, the Green Wave will need to find their footing during their non-conference schedule. They’re capable of beating Southeastern Louisiana to start the year, but then they face two strong Power Four foes in Kansas State and Oklahoma before taking on Louisiana, which could be one of the better Sun Belt squads in 2024, on the road. Tulane will probably need to go 2-2 before going against any AAC teams to get to eight regular season wins, in my opinion.
But from there, Tulane could certainly go 6-2 in league play. The Green Wave do have to face USF and Memphis, which could represent those two losses, but both of those games are at home and Tulane might be able to win at least one of them. If it does, a letdown game against UAB, Rice, North Texas, Charlotte, Temple, and Navy – which in my opinion are all games Tulane should be favored – would still get the Green Wave to eight wins.
If that happens, Tulane is still a top-tier team in the AAC. However, I believe Memphis right now has the talent and continuity to make a run at the conference championship.
