The Tulane Green Wave are on their bye week ahead of conference play, which also means that the American Conference teams who headed straight into that slate are already making a splash in those standings.
At the top of the list sits the USF Bulls, who are 4-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The FAU Owls (3-1), North Texas Mean Green (3-2), and UAB Blazers (2-2) also sit at 1-0 in conference play.
The Bulls beat the Army Black Knights, the Owls beat Navy, the Mean Green beat the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes in a close 45-44 overtime thriller on Thursday night, and the Blazers also beat Navy.
It makes things feel a bit wide open this year, but there are already some clear contenders solidifying themselves at the top.
North Texas’ offense doesn’t look like it’s skipped much of a beat despite Eric Morris taking quarterback Drew Mestemaker and nearly the entire starting offense to the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Tayven Jackson has slotted in quite seamlessly under new head coach Neal Brown.
That will be a tall task for the Green Wave when they host North Texas in Week 12 on Nov. 21.
But the Golden Hurricanes put up a hard fight and won’t be an easy opponent two weeks prior in Week 10 on Nov. 7. It helps that Tulane gets both at home.
The service academies look much more mortal this season, with the Black Knights nearly looking at an 0-2 start in conference play but ultimately holding off the Temple Owls 21-17.
Unfortunately, with the Green Wave sitting on their bye, the rest of the conference opponents playing in Week 5 will get an earlier chance to climb into those standings.
Other teams kicking off in conference play are the Memphis Tigers playing the Charlotte 49ers, both of whom Tulane will face this season.
The UTSA Road Runners will play the Rice Owls. The Green Wave host the Road Runners in Week 8, and travel to the Owls for Week 11.
The Temple Owls will play the USF Bulls to wrap up interconference plays, and Tulane ends their season in South Florida.
Navy, the Blazers, the FAU Owls, and Army also play this weekend, but against non-conference opponents.
The Black Knights will at least be worth tuning into against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday at 7:30 pm.
So, while Tulane sits back and looks at how to play a whole lot better in conference play, there’s plenty of conference opponents making their stands early.
