Opinion: Charlotte Marks Make-Or-Break Game for Will Hall

It's not ideal to be talking about "make-or-break" games in October, but it appears that we might've reached that point for Tulane Green Wave head coach Will Hall.

Nobody seems happy with the current product on display in Uptown. There is obvious talent and plenty of key pieces are giving it everything they have on the field. Yet, when it all comes together, it tends to look like a bit of a mess. Blame it on the unremarkable play-calling, a lack of proper preparation or the injury bug attacking a few standout players, it really doesn't matter: the Tulane standard is not being met. 

Here's the thing: it's hard to be entrusted with a successful team -- especially one that is coming off of an appearance in the College Football Playoff -- and keep that same high level of success. There's a new coaching staff in place and plenty of transfer portal pieces that have to fit somewhere, so there will undoubtedly be growing pains. That doesn't mean, however, that things should completely fall apart in a matter of months. 

Hall now faces a critical situation as he leads his team to face Charlotte: win, or risk losing it all. The Green Wave has played the 49ers in each of the last two seasons, and both victories have been pretty easy for the team to attain. Tulane has stronger talent, better resources and more support... all while Charlotte has been one of the worst teams in the entire nation. In other words, this is the type of matchup that the Olive Green and Sky Blue has to win, especially given how much the team has struggled in nearly every other game this year. 

A loss would be the lowest of lows for Tulane, and it would truly make it much more difficult for the Green Wave to muster any other victories this year. To make matters worse, less than a year ago, the program felt like it was on the mountaintop overlooking the world. That type of crash and burn is inexcusable, regardless of who is in charge or how "different" things might look now. 

Then, what happens if this downward spiral continues and the season inevitably comes to an end? Does the financial support dry up some? Does the program retain its recruiting class? Do the strongest players transfer out in hopes of new opportunities, because that's just the way college football works now? 

There appears to be little confidence left in the fanbase that Hall can turn things around. This is, essentially, his last chance to prove that he has what it takes to lead the program back to its winning ways. If he wins, there remains that sliver of hope that these struggles are only temporary for Tulane. If he loses, then the final month of the season is going to be... interesting.

Normally, it's a bit too hasty to contemplate a coach's future in his first season. In this case, Hall's tenure is worth debating, especially in a sport that is ever-evolving. The impact of one bad season could extend over the course of a few years?

Everyone else has done their part. Now, can Hall find a way to rise to the occasion?