College football countdown | No. 109: Tulane

Harry · May 29, 2013

It's safe to be excited about the future of Tulane football even if the Green Wave's recent results – say, over the past 14 years – paint a picture of a program stuck in a long, painful and irreversible malaise. Here are three reasons for optimism:

One is the coach, Curtis Johnson, the former Miami (Fla.) and New Orleans Saints assistant with the inroads and recruiting touch to eventually bolster Tulane's roster with the sort of talent needed to win not merely once but consistently.

The second is Tulane's upcoming conference swap, with the American Athletic Conference replacing Conference USA beginning with the 2014 season. Say what you will about the AAC, that it's a glorified rehash of Conference USA's elite or that it lacks staying power; at the same time, there's little doubt that the league is a definite upgrade over Tulane's current home.

Then there's this, and it's the biggest of all: Tulane has started construction on a new on-campus stadium, right on the site of a former practice facility, with an unveiling set for 2014.

The Green Wave haven't played games on campus since 1980, when the school demolished old Tulane Stadium.

No. 125 to No. 1: College football countdown

LAST YEAR'S PREDICTION

But can Tulane take this newfound energy and turn it into a substantial increase in the win column? While there are things to like on this team, I don't think we're going to see a major jump in Johnson's first season. While every team hits a learning curve under a first-year head coach, I'm worried about the lack of time this team spent with the new staff before heading to the summer. This will make August key for this team; it's over this month that the Green Wave need to gel as a group in advance of the tough start to the season. What do I think about the future of Tulane football? With a promising coach and a new stadium on the horizon, the future looks brighter than ever. Even a struggle of a 2012 season doesn't change that fact.

2012 RECAP

— In a nutshell: A few things remained the same, unfortunately: Tulane lost 10 games, scored less than 300 points, allowed more than 415 points, was outscored by more than 200 points, lost to a Sun Belt team and beat only one team of consequence. These are recognizable facts and figures for anyone familiar with Tulane's recent history. So what changed? While Tulane did hang tight with more than a few teams during Conference USA play, the changes occurred primarily off the field and on the recruiting trail, where Johnson has made a definite mark after little more than a year in his new position. More is needed, of course, but progress is progress, and Tulane will take it where it comes.

— High point: A 27-26 win against SMU on Oct. 13. The Green Wave would top UTEP two weeks later, giving the team two wins over a three-week span for the second time in three years.

— Low point: Ten losses, some worse than others, but none worse than a 63-10 loss at home to Louisiana-Monroe. Not to rag on the Warhawks, who were a great story last fall, but to lose at home by 53 points to any team from the Sun Belt is completely and utterly inexcusable.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/05/25/tulane-college-football-countdown-2013-preview/2358619/