College Football Cotton Bowl: Where is Tulane University?

The Tulane Green Wave are headed to a New Year’s Six Bowl, but just who are these guys, and where do they come from?

Every year, a team comes out of nowhere to make a bowl game, but not many find themselves in a New Year’s Six game. This year’s exception is the Tulane Green Wave.

Who? That’s right, the Tulane Green Wave. Sounds familiar, don’t they? After all, it’s the same school that produced Chicago Bears star running back Matt Forte. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Green Wave isn’t exactly a college football powerhouse.

Having said that, they still play football. It’s not as recognizable as someone like LSU or even Lousiana-Lafayatte. That said, the brothers can play, evidenced by what they have accomplished this season with an 11-2 record, and are now set to play in the Cotton Bowl against the USC Trojans, who are far more known.

That doesn’t matter to these kids. They know they are the underdog. The Trojans boast big names, the spotlight of California, the attention and glamour, and god knows what else. But the Green Wave can use it to their advantage.

Where is Tulane University?

Founded in 1834, Tulane, as said before, is located in New Orleans. Their football program, as also stated before, hasn’t been the greatest ever, but some players have made it to the big leagues from their program, including Forte, Darnell Mooney, Cameron Sample, J.P. Losman, and Shaun King.

Going into their battle with USC, there is an ancient history between the two schools. This will be the fourth meeting between them and the first since 1946. USC leads the all-time series 2-1, including the 1932 Rose Bowl. This is USC’s third Cotton Bowl and Tulane’s first appearance in this game. Tulane has made bowl games before, but their last one of such importance was the Sugar Bowl in 1940. As you can imagine, this is a big spotlight for them.

Players like linebacker Dorian Williams and running back Tyjae Spears are likely to hear their names called in April as part of the NFL Draft, and a strong showing against USC can help boost their draft stock. Plus, it will give people a reason to look at just who this team is and not be so focused on the more prominent names as they often choose to do.

For more College Football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.