The Northwestern Wildcats take on the Tulane Green Wave in New Orleans, LA. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Tulane is favored by -6 points on the spread with a moneyline of -225. The total is set at 45.5 points.
Here’s my Northwestern vs. Tulane prediction and college football picks for Saturday, August 30.
Northwestern Wildcats vs Tulane Green Wave Prediction, Picks
- Northwestern vs. Tulane Pick: Tulane 1H -3.5 (+100, BetRivers)
My Tulane vs. Northwestern best bet is on Tulane to cover the first-half spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Northwestern vs Tulane Odds, Lines, Spread
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 46 -110o / -110u | +165 |
| Tulane Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 46 -110o / -110u | -200 |
- Northwestern vs Tulane Spread: Tulane -4.5, Northwestern +4.5
- Northwestern vs Tulane Over/Under: 46
- Northwestern vs Tulane Moneyline: Tulane -200, Northwestern +165
Northwestern vs Tulane College Football Betting Preview
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
Northwestern has traditionally been a bottom-feeder in the Big Ten, and this trend has only been amplified by the conference's recent realignment. However, the Wildcats have received some support from the market as they enter their season opener.
Much of that comes from the fresh face at quarterback, former SMU standout Preston Stone. Stone gained notoriety in 2023 when he threw for over 3,000 yards and held a 28-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
However, that season ended in injury, and while Stone returned in 2024, he didn't look the same and quickly lost the starting job.
He gets a fresh start for his senior season at Northwestern and will have a solid offensive line to protect him. The skill positions around him are a question mark, though, so the offense's ability to be explosive with him under center is in doubt.
Defensively, the Wildcats should be solid, as they bring back six starters and add experience to the defensive line from the transfer portal. The Green Wave's offense is undoubtedly going to be a test of that expectation, though.
Tulane Green Wave Betting Preview
Speaking of the Green Wave's offense, it'll have a completely new look, including a new starting quarterback from BYU in Jake Retzlaff, a new running back from Louisville in Maurice Turner and five new wide receivers from Power 4 schools.
However, supporting that brand new cast is the best offensive line in the conference. The Green Wave only threw the ball 38% of the time last season, but we should expect a sizable shift in scheme with more talent at the quarterback position.
A big edge in the trenches and a regained ability to push the ball down the field should make Tulane's offense very efficient early in the matchup.
On the other side of the ball, Tulane's defense is still widely regarded as the best in the American Conference.
After a 2024 season in which it ranked 15th in yards per pass allowed and 30th in opponent completion percentage, expect it to make the Northwestern offense earn its yards in this one.
Northwestern vs Tulane Pick, Betting Analysis
I understand the appeal of Northwestern's potentially revamped offense with Stone and its experience defensively, but the same can be said about Tulane.
The Green Wave brought in far better talent on both sides of the ball and have the edge in the trenches.
I'm going to fade Stone early here, as the Wildcats are getting a bit too much love on the road.
Back the Green Wave to come out hot and cover the first-half spread.
Pick: Tulane 1H -3.5
