With it being Jon Sumrall’s first season as head coach, it would’ve been understandable if Tulane had taken a slight step back in 2024. But the Green Wave remained one of the best teams in the AAC.
They were competitive against nationally ranked teams like Kansas State and Oklahoma during the non-conference part of their schedule. Then they went on to go 7-1 in conference play and made it to the AAC Championship game before falling to Army, 35-14. They concluded the season with a loss against Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl.
But because of that strong first season during Sumrall’s tenure, expectations are remaining high for the Green Wave going into 2025.
Tulane Football’s Conference Title Betting Odds
Tulane’s betting odds to make the American Conference Championship are +110, via BetMGM.
Tulane Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Tulane’s win total Over/Under is 8.5, with Under 8.5 at -130 and Over 8.5 at +110.
Tulane Football’s 2025 Schedule
8/30 vs. Northwestern
9/6 @ South Alabama
9/13 vs. Duke
9/20 @ Ole Miss
9/27 @ Tulsa
10/9 vs. East Carolina
10/18 vs. Army
10/30 @ UTSA
11/7 @ Memphis
11/15 vs. FAU
11/22 @ Temple
11/29 vs. Charlotte
12/5 AAC Championship
Bold indicates AAC contests
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Key Tulane Football Returners
2024 All-AAC 1st Team
OL Derrick Graham
OL Shadre Hurst
2nd Team
LB Sam Howard
DB Bailey Despanie
3rd Team
DL Kameron Hamilton
Tulane Football Returns Plenty Of Experience
If Tulane can figure out the quarterback situation, the Green Wave could end up being the best team in the Group of Five. The Green Wave lost standout passer Darian Mensah, who transferred to Duke, so they went and added a few QBs in the transfer portal.
Kadin Semonza is now at Tulane after being named the MAC Freshman of the Year while at Ball State in 2024. He threw for 2,904 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 64.4% of his throws a season ago.
Tulane also added Brendan Sullivan, who started three games at Iowa in 2024, throwing for 475 yards, three scores, and three picks on a 71.7% completion rate. Donovan Leary is also in the mix after transferring from Illinois. Ty Thompson, who transferred from Oregon to compete for Tulane’s starting QB job last offseason, moved to tight end.
Makhi Hughes, who led the Green Wave with 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground last season, is also gone. Arnold Barnes III is the team’s leading returning rusher after totaling 402 yards and six touchdowns in 2024.
Tulane lost its top five receivers from a year ago as well. Bryce Bohanon is the only returner who tallied at least 100 yards a season ago after totaling 121 yards on 10 catches.
But the Green Wave should be pretty strong up front. Derrick Graham and Shadre Hurst are among Tulane’s returners on the offensive line after making the All-AAC first team in 2024.
The Green Wave were also proactive in the transfer portal. Their transfer class was ranked second in the AAC by 247Sports behind only Memphis.
The Green Wave’s defense, which should also be bolstered with some of those incoming players, returns a good amount of experience. Five of their top seven tacklers from a year ago are back.
Among them, All-AAC second-team linebacker Sam Howard is the leading returning tackler after tallying 53 tackles, 5.5 for loss, as well as 2.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries in 2024. Second-team all-conference defensive back Bailey Despanie returns after ranking third on the team with 53 tackles while adding 2.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. Kameron Hamilton, who was a third-team all-conference defensive lineman in 2024, is also back after tying for first among Green Wave defenders with 4.5 sacks while tallying 21 tackles, six TFLs, and two forced fumbles.
Tulane Football Season Prediction
I predict Tulane won’t win the AAC but will just barely go Over 8.5 wins during the regular season.
The Green Wave’s non-conference schedule is tough, but maybe not as difficult as it looks. They take on South Alabama on the road, which I think will be a win for Tulane, as well as Northwestern, Duke, and Ole Miss. But I think at least one of those Power Four matchups, specifically Northwestern or Duke since Tulane will be hosting those games, is winnable.
But if the Green Wave are only 2-2 entering league play, they’ll have to win seven of eight AAC matchups to reach nine victories. They did that last year, but it won’t be easy.
I think it’s possible, though, because they get some of the tougher matchups like East Carolina and Army at home. Those two matchups, as well as games at UTSA and Memphis, will undoubtedly prove difficult.
But I think this Tulane roster has enough talent to win almost all of its league games. So I expect Tulane will end the regular season with nine victories and possibly another AAC Championship berth.
