By: George Ahearn

A Friday night showdown between the heavyweights of the American Conference kicks off when 4-1 Tulane visits 4-1 Memphis in a game that could be critical in determining the direction of each team’s season. 

Both teams are off to a terrific start to their respective seasons, yet this was expected for Tulane.

Last season, they ended the year defeating USC in the Cotton Bowl in what was a staple win for the Green Wave program. When QB Michael Pratt announced he would return to Tulane for his senior season, the expectation for the program was to once again return to a New Year’s Six Bowl game, and they are right on track.  

The only game Tulane dropped this season was at home against No. 13 Ole Miss, a game which the Rebels won 20-37. However, Tulane was without Pratt, and winning this game without their star was a nearly insurmountable task. 

For Memphis, their only loss came to Missouri, who just missed this week’s rendition of the AP poll. They won against Navy, 28-24, and defeated Boise State, 35-32, both impressive wins coming on Memphis’ home turf. 

Now, the Tigers have a Friday night battle against arguably their toughest opponent yet, a game in which they find themselves as 4.5-point home underdogs. 

Memphis has been great this season and is a formidable opponent for Tulane, but there is a reason they sit as +4.5 point underdogs in a game they’re playing at home. 

Tulane is simply that good. 

This is a Tulane team that won the Cotton Bowl last year and finished ranked No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings. When you have this kind of experience and have the ability to return your star QB, the next season projects to be even more dangerous, although I’m not sure if Tulane is capable of reaching greater heights than those of a Cotton Bowl victory. 

This Tulane team has inexplicably fallen out of the rankings despite their only loss coming to a top-15 team when they were playing without their quarterback. Yet lucky for us, we have one more week to take advantage of the AP poll’s misjudgment. 

If Tulane were ranked, like they should be, I am sure significantly more money would be backing the Green Wave. Yet, all people see is two, 4-1 teams, and that the home team is a ‘dog of 4.5 points, leading to 77% of tickets currently backing the Tigers. 

Michael Pratt, the Tulane all-time passing TDs leader, will continue to lead the Green Wave tonight like he has all season, and I expect them to roll over Memphis in a critical, inter-conference matchup. 

Let’s ride the Green Wave tonight. 

The play: Tulane -4.5