Tulane football schedule: Green Wave face championship-level test at No. 6 Ole Miss with playoff destiny on the line December 19

Tulane football schedule reaches its biggest test yet as the Green Wave face No. 6 Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff first round on December 19. This rematch in Oxford, Mississippi comes after Tulane earned the No. 11 seed with an impressive 11-2 record and conference title. The underdog Green Wave will look to avenge a September loss and prove G5 viability in the expanded playoff format.

The CFP First Round Rematch Both Teams Wanted

When Ole Miss and Tulane met in September at The Grove, no one expected this exact playoff scenario. The Rebels dominated that matchup completely, cruising to a 45-10 victory that seemed to settle things early. But Tulane had different plans. The Green Wave won their final 11 games to claim the American Athletic Conference championship. Now they get their shot at vindication.

This first-round matchup represents something historic for Tulane football. The Green Wave have never competed in the College Football Playoff before. Earning the No. 11 seed as the highest-ranked Group of Five team validates what Jon Sumrall and his program have built. For Ole Miss, reaching the playoff was their own breakthrough moment under Lane Kiffin, though that story takes a dramatic turn entering this game.

Coaching Chaos at Ole Miss Clouds the Narrative

The biggest off-field story heading into this playoff game involves Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and his shocking exit to LSU. Just days before the playoff bracket reveal, Kiffin announced his departure, creating organizational uncertainty. Ole Miss officials refused to let Kiffin coach the playoff game, forcing the Rebels to turn to defensive coordinator Pete Golding to lead the team. The situation sent shockwaves through the program.

Tulane’s situation offers a stark contrast. Coach Jon Sumrall has committed to staying through the playoff run despite interest from other programs. The Tulane athletic department worked hard to retain their successful coach, showing stability and commitment to this historic run. Sumrall’s continuity at the helm gives Tulane a significant coaching advantage entering a hostile environment in Oxford.

Category	Tulane Green Wave	Ole Miss Rebels
Overall Record	11-2	11-1
Conference	American (7-1)	SEC
Head Coach	Jon Sumrall (staying)	Pete Golding (interim)
Latest Win	AAC Championship vs North Texas 34-21	Regular season finish 11-1
September Matchup	Lost 45-10	Won 45-10

Tulane’s Historic Climb and Closing Momentum

Tulane’s path to December tells a remarkable story of resilience. Starting the season 3-0 with wins over Northwestern and Duke, the Green Wave fell to Ole Miss in Week 4. Rather than fade away from a Power Four team, Tulane regrouped entirely. Over their final 11 consecutive games, they won every single matchup. That includes an impressive AAC Championship victory over North Texas on December 5th, clinching their playoff spot.

The Green Wave proved their mettle by winning the American conference title game 34-21 as heavy favorites. This wasn’t lucky or accidental—Coach Sumrall’s defense has been dominant throughout the season. Tulane’s ability to control games and execute in crucial moments should give them confidence heading to Oxford. They’ll face significant adversity playing on the road against a bitter rival, but this team has shown it thrives under pressure.

Can Tulane’s Defense Keep Up with Ole Miss?

The biggest question for Tulane involves matching up with Ole Miss’s offensive firepower. In their September meeting, the Rebels absolutely overwhelmed the Green Wave defense, piling up points with ease. Ole Miss showed they can move the football at will against Tulane’s scheme. Year later, Tulane has improved significantly, but the Rebels remain a power-run team with explosive passing play potential.

For Tulane to pull the upset, their defense must establish a new narrative. The Green Wave need aggressive tackling, gap discipline, and pass rush to disrupt Ole Miss’s rhythm. If Tulane can force turnovers and keep Ole Miss out of rhythm, the Green Wave pass game might find openings. This contest will likely be decided by whether Tulane comes ready for Ole Miss’s opening drives or lets the Rebels start fast like they did in September.

“A rematch with Ole Miss is reasonably likely, and Tulane has to take care of business in the American Conference Championship first.”

— Professional Football Network CFB analysts, December 2025

Will this be Tulane’s biggest upset or a Ole Miss statement game?

The December 19 kickoff in Oxford represents far more than one playoff game. Tulane football‘s entire future as a program hangs in the balance. A win would legitimize Group of Five playoff inclusion and announce Tulane as a permanent player in college football’s upper echelon. An Ole Miss victory would prove their September dominance wasn’t a fluke and validate their CFP No. 6 seed. Everything about this game screams drama. Will Tulane’s confidence and closure from their AAC title match the Rebels’ defensive standout play? Does Pete Golding’s interim leadership inspire or handicap Ole Miss’s execution? The answers come in 12 days.

Sources

• ESPN – College Football Playoff bracket, rankings, and game schedules
• The American – Official conference announcement and playoff selection
• Clarion-Ledger – Ole Miss football coverage and playoff news