In 2021 the Tulane Green Wave fell to a record of 2-10. That nightmare campaign came on the heels of three consecutive bowl campaigns. So there was not much expected from the Green Wave 2022. Tulane and its head coach Willie Fritz are at their best when nobody is looking. As an example, Fritz led the Green Wave to a 12-2 College Football Betting record and a berth in the Cotton Bowl. Next, Tulane upset the mighty USC Trojans in the Cotton Bowl to cap off a campaign for the ages. Now expectations are sky-high for 2023.
College Football Team Preview 2023 Tulane Green Wave
| Odds to Win National Championship: | +25000 |
|---|---|
| Odds to Win American Athletic Conference Championship: | +200 |
| Over/Under Win Total: | 9.5 |
2023 Tulane Green Wave Schedule
- Aug 26 OPEN DATE
- Sept 2 South Alabama
- Sept 9 Ole Miss
- Sept 16 at Southern Miss
- Sept 23 Nicholls
- Sept 30 UAB
- Oct 7 OPEN DATE
- Oct 13 at Memphis
- Oct 21 North Texas
- Oct 28 at Rice
- Nov 4 at East Carolina
- Nov 11 Tulsa
- Nov 18 at Florida Atlantic
- Nov 25 UTSA
2023 Tulane Green Wave Preview
As mentioned earlier, Tulane went from 2-10 in 2021 to 12-2 and champs of the Cotton Bowl. The Green Wave was the Cinderella online wagering story in college football for 20-23. But this isn’t a one-year wonder in the Big Easy. To illuminate, Tulane has plenty of potential power behind head coach Willie Fritz and quarterback Michael Pratt. After going from two wins in 2021 to 12 in 2022, Tulane enjoys the role of preseason conference favorite.
A defense that held teams to just 22.2 points per game has a few holes to fill at linebacker. But it remains in good shape with seven returning starters. The big question is how effective the ground game is after losing running back Tyjae Spears. Last year Spears totaled 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns. Thus, that is the biggest preseason concern.
Additionally, conference realignment is also working in Tulane’s favor. The most difficult College Football Betting matchup should be a showdown against UTSA on the season’s final weekend.
Quarterback Michael Pratt’s decision to stay for a fourth season virtually assures the Green Wave’s team-to-beat status in the AAC. Last year, Pratt threw for 27 touchdowns and ran for ten more. Pratt will have first-team All-AAC center Sincere Haynesworth and three other returning starting linemen in front of him.
Specifically, the Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston departures to the Big 12 puts Fritz’s Green Wave in an even stronger position to capture a second straight AAC title. Despite losing Spears, the offense should continue to produce behind Pratt.
The non-conference schedule looks tough with games versus South Alabama, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss. But with UTSA coming to Yulman Stadium on Nov. 25, the path to the AAC Championship should run through New Orleans once again.
Once upon a time, Tulane became a stepping-stone type of program. Coaches like Larry Smith, Mack Brown, and Tommy Bowden would parlay a big season at Tulane into a bigger job at a more prominent program. From 1940 through 2017, Tulane went to eight bowl games. And there were times when the program’s legitimacy was questioned. But then came Willie Fritz.
Willie Fritz has led Tulane to bowl games in four of the last five seasons. And in 2022, Fritz took Tulane to the Cotton Bowl, where the Green Wave scored an epic upset win over the USC Trojans. Indeed, these are the glory days of Tulane Green Wave football.