Tulane’s 11-2 season and AAC title earned a No. 11 CFP seed despite a No. 20 final ranking. With Ole Miss still shaky, bettors might find value backing Tulane as a plus‑money underdog or targeting player props for QB Jake Retzlaff’s rushing upside in a rematch where motivation and matchup familiarity matter.
Tulane’s Breakthrough: AAC Title Sends Green Wave to the College Football Playoff
Tulane captured its conference crown and finished 11-2, punching a first-ever College Football Playoff ticket. The 12-team format — which guarantees Group of 5 inclusion — and Tulane’s résumé, including nonconference wins over Northwestern and Duke, secured the Green Wave an 11-seed and a spot in the bracket.
How the 12-Team Playoff Helped Tulane
The expanded playoff field reserves spots for conference champions and at-large teams, ensuring at least one Group of 5 representative. Tulane emerged as the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion and moved into the field alongside James Madison after late-season conference results shuffled the seedings. That structure allowed Tulane to make the playoff despite being No. 20 in the final rankings.
Key Wins That Built Tulane’s Resume
Tulane bolstered its case with several signature performances:
Tulane 23, Northwestern 3
Tulane opened the season dominant, shutting out Northwestern through three quarters. Jake Retzlaff rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown and threw for 152 yards and a score. The defense intercepted the opposing QB four times.
Tulane 34, Duke 27
In a revenge win over their former quarterback, Tulane jumped to an early lead and held on. Retzlaff rushed for 111 yards and four touchdowns, finishing with 356 total yards as the Green Wave overcame a late Duke rally.
Tulane 34, North Texas 21 — AAC Championship
Tulane’s defense picked off North Texas three times in the conference title game while Jamauri McClure rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown, sealing the playoff berth.
Season Snapshot and Rankings
Tulane closed at 11-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play. The final College Football Playoff rankings placed Tulane at No. 20 nationally but awarded the Green Wave the No. 11 seed in the playoff bracket. That seed reflects conference-champion priority and Tulane’s quality nonconference wins.
Rematch Focus: Ole Miss Looms as First Playoff Obstacle
Ole Miss defeated Tulane 45-10 in early September, but the Rebels have dealt with internal turmoil since. Tulane’s late-season form and conference title make this a far different matchup. Expect a psychological edge for Tulane — motivation, familiarity with personnel and improved execution — factors bettors should weigh when assessing upset potential.
Betting Angles to Watch
Tulane’s running game and Retzlaff’s rushing ability offer value in player prop markets. Given Ole Miss’s instability, Tulane as an underdog (+moneyline or spread) could be a value pick. Consider props tied to Retslaff rushing yards or Jamauri McClure carries/touchdowns if lines reflect Ole Miss’s early-season win rather than Tulane’s growth.
Conference Context: Tulane and the American
Tulane represents the American Conference and validated the league’s strength with nonconference scalps. The AAC champion’s path to the playoff underscored the conference’s depth and the Green Wave’s resilience across the season.
Notable Results from Tulane’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 30 — Tulane 23, Northwestern 3 Sept. 6 — Tulane 33, South Alabama 31 Sept. 13 — Tulane 34, Duke 27 Sept. 20 — Ole Miss 45, Tulane 10 Sept. 27 — Tulane 31, Tulsa 14 Oct. 9 — Tulane 26, East Carolina 19 Oct. 18 — Tulane 24, Army 17 Oct. 30 — UTSA 48, Tulane 26 Nov. 7 — Tulane 38, Memphis 32 Nov. 15 — Tulane 35, FAU 24 Nov. 22 — Tulane 37, Temple 13 Nov. 29 — Tulane 27, Charlotte Dec. 5 — Tulane 34, North Texas 21 (AAC Championship)
What’s Next
Tulane’s playoff appearance is a milestone for the program. The rematch with Ole Miss will test whether the Green Wave’s late-season surge can overcome an earlier lopsided loss. For bettors and neutral fans alike, the matchup offers compelling storylines: revenge, matchup adjustments and the value of momentum entering the postseason.
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