Tulane makes early statement as best Group of Five team with convincing power conference win

The defense took advantage of Northwestern's poor offense, ending the game with eight consecutive stops. The unit allowed just one scoring drive, forced two three-and-outs and had three interceptions in the first half to put the Wildcats in a hole it found impossible to escape.

The win puts Tulane in pole position for a CFP berth among mid-majors. The five highest-ranked conference champions receive an automatic invite, and the Green Wave is the favorite to win the American Conference.

After Associated Press No. 25 Boise State Broncos, which reached the CFP as Mountain West champions last season, lost on Thursday, an opening exists for another program to fill. Tulane appears eager to oblige.

It helps the Green Wave that Boise State fell to the South Florida Bulls, who also play in the American Conference, bolstering its strength.

Tulane can further improve its resume in Week 3 with another power conference win when it hosts the Duke Blue Devils (ACC) in quarterback Darian Mensah's return to New Orleans after leaving via the transfer portal. 

Per ESPN's Football Power Index, Tulane has the best odds (21.7 percent) of reaching the CFP among Group of Five conference members. The Green Wave gave a glimpse of how formidable they can be by hardly breaking a sweat against Northwestern.