Tulane football is ranked for the third consecutive week, moving up to No. 18 in the Associated Press (AP) Poll and also holding the No. 18 spot in the Coaches’ Poll.
In the latest AP poll, the Green Wave received 446 votes, placing ahead of No. 19 BYU, No. 20 Texas A&M, No. 21 UNLV, No. 22 Illinois, No. 23 Colorado, No. 24 Missouri, and No. 25 Army. Along with Army, Tulane is one of only two teams in the AAC to be ranked. The program first entered the rankings at No. 25 on November 10, moved to No. 20 on November 17, and has now reached No. 18.
The team also received enough votes to secure its second ranking in the Coaches’ Poll this year, coming in at No. 18 after ranking No. 20 the previous week. Tulane and Army are the only AAC teams with rankings.
Additionally, Tulane climbed to No. 20 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings released on November 19, following a ranking of No. 25 on November 12.
The Green Wave has started the 2024 season with an impressive 9-2 record and a perfect 7-0 mark within the AAC. They recently achieved a dominant 35-0 shutout victory over Navy on November 16. Quarterback Darian Mensah had a standout game, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for a career-high 57 yards along with a rushing touchdown. This victory marks Tulane’s eighth consecutive win and their 17th straight regular-season victory in the AAC, tying the conference record for consecutive regular-season wins. Both of Tulane’s losses this season have come against teams that were ranked in the AP Top 25: a 34-27 loss to then No. 17 Kansas State on September 7 and a 34-19 defeat against then No. 15 Oklahoma on September 14.
Tulane leads both the AAC and the nation with six defensive touchdowns and ranks second in passing efficiency within the conference with a rating of 169.10. Running back Makhi Hughes is currently No. 8 nationally in rushing, with 1,291 yards. The team has received 11 league honors this season, including Defensive Player of the Week awards for Rayshawn Pleasant and Gerrod Henderson, as well as multiple promotions for players like Darian Mensah and Makhi Hughes.
In the AAC Preseason Media Poll, Tulane was picked to finish third, receiving 362 points and two first-place votes during the annual conference media day.
Last season, Tulane concluded with an 11-3 record, finishing 8-0 in the American Athletic Conference, and made their 16th bowl appearance at the GoBowling Military Bowl against Virginia Tech. This marked the fifth bowl game appearance in the last six years, with the team boasting a 32-7 record over the past three seasons.
On December 8, 2023, Tulane announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the 42nd head coach of the program. A native of Huntsville, Alabama, he was highly successful at Troy University over the last two seasons, leading the team to a 23-4 record and two Sun Belt Conference championships. Recognized as the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year, he was also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award. Sumrall previously served as Tulane’s Co-Defensive Coordinator from 2012 to 2014, playing a significant role in the team’s 2013 New Orleans Bowl appearance, their first postseason game since 2002.
Next, Tulane will return home to Yulman Stadium to face No. 23 Memphis (Coaches’ Poll) on November 28 at 6:30 p.m., with the game set to be broadcast on ESPN.
Leave a Reply