The Tulane Green Wave is back on track in the win column, but all eyes now turn to an even bigger challenge.
Tulane will welcome the UTSA Roadrunners to Yulman Stadium this weekend. The Roadrunners have been on a roll to start the year, standing atop the American Conference with a 6-1 overall record. That lone loss came against the Texas Longhorns.
The Roadrunners aren't necessarily blowing opposing teams out: they're just doing all of the little things right to win. UTSA has notched league wins over the Rice Owls, South Florida Bulls and Navy Midshipmen, but in those three victories, the Roadrunners have outscored their opponents by two, seven and four points, respectively.
Meanwhile, there's the lingering confidence from the win over the Memphis Tigers still in the air in New Orleans. The team deserves to feel proud of that victory, but it's also time to take that success and use it heading into the next weekend.
Let's be honest: most people didn't believe that Tulane could win that Memphis game, simply based on what both teams brought into the matchup. In fact, the Green Wave had been losing more and more momentum with each passing week. All of a sudden, there is hope again. There's a feeling that maybe, just maybe, this talented Uptown team has turned the corner and can put together an unexpected second half of the season.
That's why this matchup against UTSA is so important for Tulane: the home team needs to prove that it belongs and show that one win over the Tigers was far from just a fluke victory. It's a chance to prove to everyone that the old, gutsy, downright tough Green Wave program is still there, and it has simply had to adjust to the major changes that come from a new coaching staff. A win does all of that and so much more, and suddenly, Tulane could find itself back in championship game talks.
If the Olive Green and Sky Blue comes off the field in defeat, does that negate the importance of the Memphis win? Not entirely... but it does to some degree. That game will always go in the record books as a victory, but if that success can't be sustained moving forward, then does it actually matter aside from giving the team bragging rights for another year? Tulane would be back to square one, still looking to find the right answers that could lead the program to consistent success.
As always, there seems to be a lot at stake for both the Green Wave and the Roadrunners. The two program will battle it out on the gridiron beginning on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT at Yulman Stadium.