Tulane Football Leads Group of Five Teams in New Power Rankings
In this story:
The Tulane Green Wave football team has sustained success over the last three seasons and looks to contend for a shot in the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Jon Sumrall experienced a lot of turnover after his first season with the Green Wave, and the team enters his second year with several question marks.
In contrast to years past, however, expectations for Tulane football remain high.
Their impressive track record, which includes three consecutive trips to the American Conference Championship, has garnered national recognition.
They're not the only team in college football to lose star power—not even close. The problems that may feel unique to a team are across the board, and that's where coaching, culture, and competitiveness come into play.
Who Are the Favorites for the G5 Spot in the College Football Playoff?
Ahead of each season, ESPN updates their Football Power Index (FPI) ratings, which is a predictive system that analyzes perceived strengths on offense, defense, and special teams relative to the national average.
The rating system accounts for starters lost, star recruits, and relevant roster developments, and those are in flux more than ever in the landscape.
With an overall FPI of 7.3, the No. 36 Green Wave leads the Group of Five with the highest rating, followed by the No. 40 Boise State Broncos (6.2).
They also have a 45.4 percent projected chance of winning the American conference. That's much greater than the chances for the Memphis Tigers (14.9), South Florida Bulls (10.2), UTSA Roadrunners (7.7), and current AAC champions Army Black Knights (2.5).
That projection is significant in their quest for the CFB as it requires a G5 champion.
Now, the Broncos may still be a roadblock, as they have a slightly higher chance at making the playoffs (24.3) compared to Tulane (24.3).
"With several contenders bunched together and no clear juggernaut, the G5 race for a playoff spot is something to keep a close eye on," ESPN writes.
That's despite losing quarterback Darian Mensah and running back Makhi Hughes.
All of this is meaningless ultimately when it relates to the CFB, as winning games on the field is the only way to get there.
However, the perception of teams is perhaps more significant than it should be, and preseason hype and rankings come into play.
The Green Wave were picked No. 3 in the 2024 American preseason media poll to win the conference, and while they didn't win the title, their appearance in the game proved that ranking to be a bit low.
They may not have the element of surprise in the 2025 college football season.
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Maddy Hudak is the deputy editor for Tulane on Sports Illustrated and the radio sideline reporter for their football team. Maddy is an alumnus of Tulane University, and graduated in 2016 with a degree in psychology. She went on to obtain a Master of Legal Studies while working as a research coordinator at the VA Hospital, and in jury consulting. During this time, Maddy began covering the New Orleans Saints with SB Nation, and USA Today. She moved to New Orleans in 2021 to pursue a career in sports and became Tulane's sideline reporter that season. She enters her fourth year with the team now covering the program on Sports Illustrated, and will use insights from features and interviews in the live radio broadcast. You can follow her on X at @MaddyHudak_94, or if you have any questions or comments, she can be reached via email at maddy.hudak1@gmail.com