Northwestern and Tulane open their 2025 seasons Saturday with a midday kickoff in the south Louisiana summer heat.
These teams haven’t played each other since 1956. The last time Tulane hosted a Big Ten team was in 1955, which was also Northwestern’s last visit to New Orleans. Tulane won both of those meetings and leads the all-time series 3-1.
Northwestern looks to improve on a 4-8 record in 2024, its second season under coach David Braun. Tulane enters its second year under coach Jon Sumrall, who guided the Green Wave to a third straight American Conference championship game appearance. But Tulane ended its 2024 season with three straight losses and has only five starters back.
Northwestern at Tulane
- Time/TV: 11 a.m. Saturday, ESPNU
- Line: Tulane by 5½
Key stats
Northwestern (2024)
- Total offense: 284.4 ypg (130th in FBS)
- Passing: 185.9 ypg (111th)
- Rushing: 98.5 ypg (122nd)
- Scoring: 17.8 ppg (128th)
- Total defense: 361.8 ypg (56th)
- Passing: 231.8 ypg (89th)
- Rushing: 129.9 ypg (37th)
- Scoring: 26.3 ppg (81st)
Tulane (2024)
- Total offense: 405.0 ypg (52nd in FBS)
- Passing: 209.4 ypg (89th)
- Rushing: 145.8 ypg (60th)
- Scoring: 35.1 ppg (16th)
- Total defense: 323.5 ypg (24th in FBS)
- Passing: 177.7 ypg (15th)
- Rushing: 145.8 ypg (60th)
- Scoring: 20.6 ppg (24th)
Last game
- Northwestern lost to Illinois 38-28 to finish 2024 at 4-8.
- Tulane lost to Florida 33-8 in the Gasparilla Bowl to finish on a three-game skid and at 9-5 overall.
Next game
- Northwestern hosts Western Illinois on Sept. 5
- Tulane visits South Alabama on Sept. 6
Big Ten football: What to know about every team before the season kicks off
