Sorry. Conference Championship Game appearances get some of us turned up around here. The Tulane Green Wave turnaround from a 2-10 season just one year ago has been a remarkable ‘1-0 Every Week’ themed block party over by Yulman. Which, in case you needed reminding, pack Yulman this Saturday if you can even find a ticket to get into the stadium. Block is hot and so are these AAC Title game tickets.

        And they damn well should be, not just this Saturday, but for years to come. Hosting the 2022 American Athletic Conference title game is a welcomed surprise going by the preseason rankings but it should become the program standard for the Green Wave. The foundation is in place and the city has every reason to start taking notice.

        Coach Willie Fritz is not going anywhere. He is 62 and in the middle of a legacy building project that cannot be found at any other job that might come open. Fritz is wise enough to delegate to younger assistants so the recruiting pipeline is kept replenished. Fritz is young enough to give Tulane another decade of top-notch leadership. He is not in a spot to be jumping jobs, not that I think that would ever be a reality.

        If he did, sources have explained Tulane would have interest in Deion Sanders. Money is the only reason Fritz might leave but Tulane could pay Sanders far more than Jackson State. Sanders then could step into a better fitting job. Tulane is also the highest ranked job that will be open. My sources also say neither coach are expected to make a decision before the AAC and SWAC championship games. NOLA.com even reports that Georgia Tech gave Fritz an ultimatum for when a decision needed to be made.

        Fritz has made three stops at Sam Houston State. He has toiled away at community colleges while trying to find that cush D-1 check to cash. Coming to New Orleans in 2016 represented a big step up from Georgia Southern and Central Missouri. It’s too secure of a job to step away from now that the program has been turned around. Just look at the coaching market that Fritz would have to navigate to find a lateral move, at best.

        The Power 5 (SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12) openings are already dealing with the politics of filling the jobs. Look at Lane Kiffin or the lead whistle in Colorado. Tulane gives Fritz none of those headaches, and Fritz doesn’t worry Tulane brass with any talk of bolting out of town. And none of those big-money openings are very attractive for an older coach just looking to be competitive now. You really think the new coaches at Auburn and Iowa are bothering Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh? Not likely.

        The AAC is the only Group of Five conference with a ranked team. In fact, there are three. Tulane. UCF. Cincinnati. Being at one of the best schools with an outside shot is better than being at one of the worst schools with an inside shot at the CFP. Cincy proved that a few years ago. Now add the recruiting advantages of being in New Orleans instead of St. Paul, Manhattan, and Lincoln? The days of Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas attracting the best athletes away from The Boot are all but over.

        Michael Pratt helped lead an offense that both represents the city but also earns the respect of recruits with an eye towards the next level. The Junior QB out of Florida has passed for over 2300 yards and 21 touchdowns against only 4 interception while connecting on 65% of his passes. He averages 8.3 yards per completion. Another season with that level of production will get Pratt’s name called by Day 3 of the NFL Draft, if not sooner.

        The offense is similar to the city in that New Orleans will keep on doing New Orleans until something extraordinary stops what’s happening, whether that be a hurricane coming on shore or a politician finally getting off their ass and doing what’s right. And if running the ball in between the tackles is getting the job done, Tulane will keep hitting those jabs to the mouth of a defense.

        Enter Ponchatoula’s Tyjae Spears. The only reason you don’t hear shattering glass, chains, and heavy bass when Spears comes out with the rock is because Stone Cold Steve Austin trademarked the move. But make no doubt, Spears is the Stone Cold Stunner that has knocked out most of the teams on Tulane’s schedule.

        Spears has 8 100-total yard games. He had 181 rushing yards in the regular-season finale to clinch the title game hosting duties and has averaged 6.2 yards per carry on the season. That number would be higher if the endzone didn’t stop Spears from racking up half-mile runs on occasion. His 16 touchdowns are tied for 8th most in the nation. Pair that with a Dirty South defense and you’ve got a contender on your hands.

        The NCAA’s official stat page has Tulane pegged as the 28th best defense in the country. The only teams above Tulane on that list that also sport a comparable offense? Michigan. Ohio State. Georgia. Alabama. Florida State. Notre Dame. Clemson. Cincinnati. All teams that have flirted with CFP glory in the past few seasons. With the Bearcats moving to the Big 12 next season, Tulane can take over the alpha dog top spot just as the playoffs are expanding.

        The Green Wave defense, led by Dorian Williams, if first in the AAC in scoring, second in total yards allowed, and third in passing yards allowed. Keep that up and they’ll be getting fitted for AAA Title Ring sizes soon. Why? Well, Tulane’s offense (46th) is closer to LSU’s (32nd) than the Tigers are to Georgia. Give this Tulane program time and a chance, they may just show up and compete with the big boys in the Big Bowls.

        They could even get a shot this season in the Cotton Bowl. A win sends the Green Wave to one of the New Years Day showcases. A loss is still reason to celebrate, to soak in what was, what came, and what could have been…if only. If only that UCF game goes a bit differently, for instance. Or that Southern Miss fiasco was avoided…Perhaps Tulane would get a shot at the Alabama’s and LSU’s of the world, if only.

        No more if’s, and’s, or but’s for Willie Fritz’s program. Tulane knocked off Cincinnati on the road in an instant classic. The Bearcats were the two-time (two-time!) defending champs riding a 35 game home winning streak. They were trying to Ric Flair Woooooo! their way back to a CFP spot against a Tulane team that was 0-61 against ranked opponents since I was born in 1984. Longshot as it may have been for either team, the AAC got a spot a few years ago. Who’s to say they cannot find a way back in again, especially when the field is opened up to more teams?

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