The Tulane Green Wave entered the 2025 college football season poised as a favorite for the College Football Playoff.
Nothing has necessarily changed that goal; the only rankings that matter is those by the CFP committee in the final week of the season.
But the path within the AP Top 25 became a bit more difficult, and that perception can sometimes carry more weight than it should.
However, after a somewhat surprising drop from No. 33 to No. 34 and losing five votes following a 23-3 win over the Northwestern Wildcats in Week 1, this latest ranking was a bit less surprising.
In the rankings released on Sunday, the Green Wave dropped to No. 36 and went from 18 votes last week to just six in this week’s AP Top 25.
Tulane began the season with 23 votes. They’ve now lost 17 through two weeks.
The Green Wave had an imperfect 33-31 win over the South Alabama Jaguars, and it was a game that came down to the wire more than anyone might have hoped.
That didn’t change the fact that the team sits at 2-0 for the first time since 2022.
But in college football, the opponent matters, as does the end score.
In the NFL, the 32 teams are within a certain threshold of competitive balance. College football, between the Power Four and Group of Five drop and then each conference, there’s just more to analyze.
Strength of schedule, margin of victory, quality of opponent, and momentum of consecutive winning matter a whole lot more in college football.
Tulane was dominant in all three phases against a Big Ten opponent. That doesn’t intend to diminish the Jaguars as a fellow Group of Five competitive program. But it does make things look a bit worse on the surface level when that discrepancy exists.
To be frank, with the broadcast on ESPN+ amidst a full slate this weekend, it’s unlikely every voter even watched the Green Wave’s game.
They’re also missing the context of how the team responds in these moments on a daily basis at practice leading up to game week
So there’s only so much to take away from them. But it heightens the spotlight on Tulane’s upcoming Power Four matchups: the Duke Blue Devils and the Ole Miss Rebels.
The Blue Devils didn’t receive any votes, but the Rebels are at No. 17.
In addition, the Green Wave are firmly behind a fellow American opponent, the South Florida Bulls, who slot in just behind Ole Miss at No. 18.
They’ve beaten two ranked teams in a row. The Boise State Broncos were at No. 25 when they played the Bulls, and South Florida knocked off the then-No. 13 Florida Gators on Saturday.
It sets up an incredible showdown in the conference championship should Tulane make it there.
For now, all that matters is the upcoming opponent in Duke. Beat the Blue Devils soundly, and the Green Wave can fight to start 4-0 and take back a lot of destiny.