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Tulane is crawling back into the College Football Playoff picture after its upset loss to UTSA in Week 10. More News: Brian Kelly Made His Intentions Clear in Obtained LSU Firing Email The defeat dropped the Green Wave to 6-2, as the program’s other defeat came at the hands of then-No. 13 Ole Miss on Sept. 20. On Friday night, Tulane took care of business in a big way, knocking off Memphis 38-32 on the road. Entering the contest, the CFP selection committee projected the Tigers into its first bracket as an automatic bid for being the top Group of 5 conference champion. OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI – SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Jon Sumrall of the Tulane Green Wave looks on before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) More News: LSU Linked to Ultimate Anti-Brian Kelly Candidate Tulane’s victory over Memphis will keep it in the American Conference race and on the bubble to make the CFP. Amid a key month for the Green Wave, head coach Jon Sumrall has received significant attention in the coaching carousel. He’s been connected to SEC programs LSU and Auburn. On Saturday, Sumrall referenced a story by ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg about the head coach’s rumors. Rittenberg made sure to throw in LSU to market the story. “New for ESPN: On the day LSU fired Brian Kelly, I was with Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, one of the top coaching candidates in a wild carousel,” Rittenberg posted on X. “Story on how Sumrall handles the chatter about what’s next, while keeping his team focused for the stretch run.” Sumrall quote posted a cryptic but serious response with emojis showing a rat, skull and crossbones, red x, rat and a cheese trap. 🐀 ☠️ ❌ 🐀 🪤 https://t.co/PuioD0sRQr— Jon Sumrall (@CoachJonSumrall) November 8, 2025 Sumrall is still locked into the remaining schedule he has with his current program. Following Friday night’s win over Memphis, Sumrall sounded like a coach who’s focused on his players. “They’ve driven me crazy at times this year,” Sumrall said. “I’ve said it all year to y’all, but man, like they’re keeping me young and they’re going to make me grow old real fast… Last week’s sucked. “We all know that it’s like our worst game we could possibly play, and for them to respond and pick themselves up–they showed how tough they are.” South Florida, North Texas, and Tulane are in a three-way tie for second place in the American Conference with 4-2 records before Saturday’s games Tulane will next host FAU in Week 12. For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
