The Prelude

It’s November 27th, 2021. Tulane University’s football team, the Tulane Green Wave, is playing against the University of Memphis. Tulane would lose this game 28-33 and have a finishing record of 2-10. For years, this little school from New Orleans has failed to make any significant mark on the college football world, having last appeared in a major New Year's Bowl game in 1940. One may think that the Green Wave would never be able to do anything to make their mark in the following season, but things would change. Under head coach Willie Fritz, The 2022 Tulane Green Wave would make history, The 2022 Tulane Green Wave would go on to end that season 12-2, Their team would win the AAC title, which was their first conference title since 1998. They then went on to win the Cotton Bowl against a favored USC team, in one of the craziest endings I have ever seen. This was the greatest turnaround in college football history, this is the story of the 2022 Tulane football season.

Green Wave Past and Fritz’s Success

For the last 20 years, Tulane’s football program has been mostly mediocre, with a combined 20-year record of 97 wins and 160 losses. The program didn’t see major success until 2018 when 3-year head coach Willie Fritz led the team to a victory at the Cure Bowl, then a win at the Armed Forces Bowl the following year. Since Fritz’s start as head coach in 2016, the Green Wave have had a decent combined 6-year record of 43-45.

Start of 2021 Season

Tulane’s 2021 season starts with a challenge before the games even begin, as Hurricane Ida forces the Green Wave to relocate to Birmingham, Alabama for their home opener. Tulane’s first game is against 2nd ranked Oklahoma, coached by Lincoln Riley. (Remember his name, he’ll come up again) By halftime, Tulane is losing 14-37, but they managed to slowly come back, with 2 minutes left in the 4th Quarter, Tulane is down 35-40 at 4th and 14, the offense has no choice but to go for it. Michael Pratt runs the ball but is one yard short of a first down, forcing a turnover to Oklahoma, effectively ending the game.

Aftermath of 2021

Michael Pratt would be hurt from the game against Oklahoma, leading to Tulane taking a brutal 21-61 loss against Ole Miss the following game. Tulane would suffer for the rest of the 2021 season, having only 2 wins against Morgan State and South Florida respectively. Tulane’s finishing record for the 2021 season would be 2-10, a record the team hasn’t seen since the 2008 season under previous coach Curtis Johnson.

Closing

The Green Wave didn’t lose their spirit, like their home of New Orleans after Hurricane Ida, they picked themselves up and carried on. The Green Wave prepared for the 2022 season and another shot at victory. Prepare yourselves, for a tidal wave is coming. It is green, it is angry, and it is ready to wash everyone away.