The Tulane Green Wave football team keeps turning heads in the college football world, holding steady at No. 24 in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings for the second week in a row.
This consistency highlights just how strong the program’s been lately, pushing Tulane into the conversation with some of the nation’s top college football teams.
Tulane University’s football team has shown real staying power, landing in the CFP rankings for the fourth straight season.
That puts them in pretty exclusive company—only ten teams can claim that sort of streak, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia.
The Green Wave’s ability to keep it up says a lot about how much the program has grown and settled in at a high level.
Historical Performance and Recent Success
In 2023, Tulane entered the Goodyear Cotton Bowl ranked No. 16 by the CFP and pulled off a wild upset over No. 10 USC, winning 46-45.
That win was huge for the program, showing they can hang with the big names.
The next year, they were ranked No. 17 in the CFP, which just added to their reputation as a team nobody wants to face.
As of November 25, 2025, Tulane sits at No. 24, right behind Arizona State, SMU, Pittsburgh, and Georgia Tech, and just ahead of No. 25 Arizona.
That spot matters, especially with the team eyeing a place in the expanded 12-team playoff format.
The New 12-Team Playoff Format
The 2025 season is only the second year with the new 12-team playoff layout, and it changes things up quite a bit.
Now, the five highest-ranked conference champions get automatic bids, and the next seven-best non-conference champions grab at-large spots.
- The five highest-ranked conference champions earning automatic bids
- The next seven-best non-conference champions earning at-large spots
Those 12 teams are seeded by ranking, no matter if they’re conference champs or not.
The top four get byes, while teams ranked 5 through 12 battle it out in the first round.
Playoff Schedule and Key Dates
There’s a lot to look forward to on the playoff calendar:
- First Round (On-Campus): December 19 at 7 p.m. (ABC/ESPN) and December 20 at 11 a.m. (ABC/ESPN), 2:30 p.m. (TNT/truTV/HBO Max), and 6:30 p.m. (TNT/truTV/HBO Max)
- Quarterfinals: Cotton Bowl on December 31 at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN), Orange Bowl on January 1 at 11 a.m. (ESPN), Rose Bowl on January 1 at 3 p.m. (ESPN), and Sugar Bowl on January 1 at 7 p.m. (ESPN)
- Semifinals: Fiesta Bowl on January 8 at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN) and Peach Bowl on January 9 at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- CFP National Championship: January 19 at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium
Tulane’s 2025 Season Performance
With a 9-2 record overall and 6-1 in the American Athletic Conference, Tulane’s 2025 season has been nothing short of impressive.
They picked up nine wins in their first 11 games, including a pair against Power 4 teams—a streak they haven’t matched since 1988.
Their recent win over Temple locked in a 6-1 or better conference record for only the fifth time in school history.
Historical Conference Success
This year’s run adds to Tulane’s long list of conference achievements.
The program has now notched six or more conference wins in the American, CUSA, and SEC.
- 2025: 6-1 in the American Athletic Conference
- 2024: 6-1 in the American Athletic Conference
- 2023: 6-1 in the American Athletic Conference
- 2022: 6-1 in the American Athletic Conference
- 1934: 6-1 in conference play
Bowl Game Appearances and Achievements
Tulane’s bowl history is pretty remarkable, with 17 appearances over the years.
Some of the highlights include:
- 1932: Rose Bowl
- 1935 and 1939: Sugar Bowl
- 1970: Liberty Bowl
- 1973: Astro Bluebonnet Bowl
- 1979: Liberty Bowl
- 1980: Hall of Fame Bowl
- 1987: Independence Bowl
- 1998: Liberty Bowl
- 2002: Hawaii Bowl
- 2013: New Orleans Bowl
- 2018: Cure Bowl
- 2019: Armed Forces Bowl
- 2020: Famous Idaho Bowl
- 2022: Cotton Bowl
- 2023: Military Bowl
- 2024: Gasparilla Bowl
They’ve gone 7-10 in those games, and you get the feeling they’re hungry to tip that record in the right direction soon.
Leadership and Coaching Excellence
Head Coach Jon Sumrall has played a massive role in Tulane’s recent surge.
Over the last four seasons, he’s led the team to a 41-11 record, snagged two Sun Belt Conference championships, and put together some impressive winning streaks.
He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year and has twice been a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award.
Sumrall’s Impact on Tulane Football
Sumrall’s return to Tulane, where he was Co-Defensive Coordinator from 2012-2014, really kicked things up a notch.
Back then, he helped guide Tulane to the New Orleans Bowl in 2013—their first postseason since 2002.
His defensive chops even got him noticed as a finalist for the FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year award.
Upcoming Matchup and Season Finale
Tulane wraps up the regular season against Charlotte on November 29 at Yulman Stadium.
The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU, and it’s a chance for Tulane to finish strong and maybe boost their playoff hopes.
If you’re looking to catch the action or want tickets for football or basketball, you can call 504-861-WAVE (9283), head to TulaneTix.com, or stop by the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
Join the Green Wave Community
Stay connected with Tulane football and the wider athletics crowd by following the team on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It’s honestly the quickest way to catch news, game schedules, and whatever wild events might pop up next.
Tulane University sits right in the heart of New Orleans—a city that’s anything but boring. There’s a real sense of pride here, built on years of resilience and chasing excellence.
Green Wave student-athletes pick up more than just stats; they walk away as leaders and professionals, sometimes even champions. If you’re curious about what makes Tulane tick, or just want to see how they build their legacy, check out NolaBuilt.com.
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