The biggest game of the season looms for the Tulane Green Wave, as the team is set to take on the North Texas Mean Green in the American Conference Championship Game on Friday night.

There's plenty on the line at Yulman Stadium, including a potential spot in the College Football Playoff. At the same time, there's been lots of outside noise for both programs over the past few weeks, with Tulane's Jon Sumrall and North Texas' Eric Morris each taking Power Four head coaching jobs. However, both will remain with their current teams through the rest of the season.

This will be one of the toughest challenges that the Green Wave has faced all season. Here are three things the program must do to become the champions of the American Conference.

1. Limit Drew Mestemaker 

Mestemaker is not just the best quarterback in the American -- he's arguably one of the best in the entire nation.

As a freshman, he's been the driving force behind an offense that has put up more than 50 points in five of its last six games, and seven total. Mestemaker has 29 touchdowns to just four interceptions on the season and leads the entire FBS with 3,835 passing yards. Aside from the team's only loss to the South Florida Bulls in October, he's made very few mistakes.

Tulane's secondary has had its fair share of ups and downs throughout the season, but its been among the better teams in the nation with 12 total interceptions. On the downside, the team gives up an average of 251.9 passing yards per game. The secondary will have the perform the best it has all season on Friday, or else it could be a long game for the home team. 

2. Attack on the ground

In the second half of the regular season, the Green Wave put more focus into its passing offense, and it paid off. Now, it might be time for the team to turn back to its early-season roots a bit and utilize its strong rushing attack.

While the Mean Green has one of the best passing defenses in the American Conference, its rushing defense is the worst in the league. Tulane has found plenty of success with freshmen running backs Javin Gordon and Jamauri McClure, as well as dual-threat quarterback Jake Retzlaff. It's a no-brainer that the team will likely give these student-athletes a bit of a bigger workload.

3. Play clean football 

At times, the Green Wave has played some messy football in just about every aspect. It's time for that to come to an end in the most important game of the season so far. 

Penalties have been impactful throughout the year for Tulane, with the team essentially making things much more difficult on itself than necessary. Luckily, it hasn't cost the Green Wave a victory... so far. Discipline has been a major area that Sumrall has worked with his team to improve in, and it will certainly make a difference against a North Texas team that will capitalize on any and every mistake. 

Additionally, the weather forecast calls for plenty of rain throughout the game. It's going to be a messy night in Yulman Stadium -- Tulane must be careful to not turn the ball over in slippery, wet conditions.