Just a week ago, USC fans (if there are any remaining) and their recently named AP Player of the Year QB Caleb Williams had College Football Playoff aspirations. After a total flop against Utah in the Pac12 Championship, this once proud fan base now finds themselves in a Pick ’Em matchup, in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the American Athletic Conference Champions from Tulane University.

While on the surface, it might appear like a long fall from grace, I am here to tell you why Tulane Football is nothing to overlook, and the Trojans better show up to Jerry World ready to play on January 2nd if they don’t want to get run out of another big game. A Pick ’em you say? With the overwhelming Heisman trophy favorite on the side of the team that beat everyone with the exception of the aforementioned Utes this year? Let’s consider the opponent.

The story of Tulane football begins at the beginning of LAST season, when Coach Willie Fritz was putting a formidable team together to challenge for the top of a competitive American Athletic Conference, which unlike the Pac12 has been able to get a team into the playoff. Unafraid to play with big boys on the road, unlike many power 5 schools (looking at you Alabama), Tulane went into Norman, and put the scare of a lifetime into then #2 ranked Oklahoma, led by SC’s new man, Lincoln Riley. Truth be told, this tilt was supposed to take place in New Orleans until a devastating hurricane put the city out of commission for a while. Choosing to take the adversity head on, the Green Wave agreed to move the game to OU, as they were confident they had the goods to hang with one of the best teams in college football. For 60 minutes, the two went back and forth, before Tulane was ultimately stopped short on 4th down with a chance to drive in for a game winning TD. Right then, the Green Wave proved they were not just a ripple on the Mississippi river.

Unfortunately, for Coach Fritz and his squad, the effects of Hurricane Ida ended up being devastating. There were players and their families in NOLA that lost their homes, and the team was unable to return to campus to practice for months. While the time on the road practicing in Tuscaloosa, and Houston brought the team together, it was too much to overcome on the field. The Green Wave were understandably distracted, and unable to replicate the inspiring showing from Week 2 in Norman. Numerous injuries later, the team seemingly packed it in, finishing up 2–10 and at the bottom of the conference.

Within most college football programs nationwide, going 2–10 and finishing in the basement of one’s conference will break a team. Coaching changes will be called for, players will transfer, and re-builds will begin. This was not the case in Uptown New Orleans.

Tulane University is built on responding to adversity, which mainly comes in the form of Natural disasters. When Hurricane Katrina tragically struck in 2008, 98% of the student body returned to campus, despite free reign to continue studying at prestigious universities of their choice. While Ida wasn’t as devastating, the effects were lasting and challenges had to be dealt with. Refusing to run from those challenges, QB Michael Pratt returned, the Watt brothers returned, Sr. leader Nick Anderson returned at Linebacker, and All world Running Back Tyjae Spears came back for another go around. While schools weren’t exactly knocking down Willie Fritz’s door at this time last year, the Head Coach knew he had to come back with his guys and see what this talented group could accomplish given an uninterrupted season.

The 2022 season started with a couple of cupcakes in Umass and Alcorn State, before another test on the road in the Big 12 in Manhattan, KS. This game was not only an opportunity for Tulane to establish itself as a threat, but to also show the Big 12 what they missed out on by selecting their AAC rivals in Houston, Central Florida, and Cincinnati for conference expansion in 2024. What wasn’t clear at the time, was that KSU was ultimately a top 10 team in college football and would go on to win the Big 12 Championship. What was clear was that Tulane belonged on that field, controlling the game with defense and Special teams from start to finish, and cruising to a 17–10 victory. Much like after a night out on Frenchman Street, the hangover following this one was unavoidable, and resulted in a close home loss to Southern Miss. With no conference implications, Tulane still had everything they wanted in front of them and would use this loss to set up a string of 5 consecutive conference victories, including an OT thriller in Houston, to put them in the AAC driver’s seat. The brilliant stretch had this team surfing all the way to a #17 ranking nationally, highest in school history and would set up a duel at home versus perennial conference contending UCF. While that one didn’t start out as planned, Tulane hung tough and proved their ranking was no fluke. With primetime wins over SMU and Cincinnati, Tulane would get their chance to exact revenge on the self-proclaimed national champs, again at home, and this time with a conference title on the line.

In a microcosm of what this team has proven to be all about, Tulane bounced back. Unlike the first matchup, they came out ready to play, moving the ball at will both through the air and on the ground. AAC offensive player of the year Tyjae Spears was once again the most dominant player on the field, weaving through the UCF defense, and setting up Michael Pratt to hit big play after big play through the play action game. No slouches themselves, UCF put up a good fight to get back in the game, but Pratt and company were too much down the stretch, and pulled away late for a 45–28 win. As fans stormed onto the field, the long process that kicked off two years ago to bring a conference championship Uptown was complete. Fritz got his Gatorade bath, and for once, Tulane was partying for its football team. Now, this New Years Six Bowl game crashing team, with electric playmakers on both sides of the ball, will get their chance to go up against one of the all-time great football programs. To the casuals, it might seem like a mismatch, but if there has anything we have learned from following this team is that they can’t be counted out to go 1–0 for one last week.

Look out USC, I am rolling with the Green Wave to get it done and bring a Cotton Bowl Trophy to New Orleans. Oh, and let’s not forget to mention what a stunning helmet/uniform matchup this one will be on the field at AT&T Stadium. For my money, the best of the bowl season which includes a UNC vs Oregon matchup.

Roll Wave.