College football is full of weird trends, but the recent history of Tulane Green Wave football vs Navy Midshipmen football might be one of the strangest puzzles in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). You’d think a matchup between a high-flying New Orleans program and a disciplined military academy would follow some sort of predictable script. It doesn't.
Honestly, if you looked at the box scores from the last decade without team names, you’d be convinced these were two different sports. One year it’s a 41-38 shootout that feels like a Big 12 track meet; the next, it’s a defensive slugfest where the forward pass is treated like a forbidden ritual.
Why the 2024 Shutout Changed Everything
Most fans are still talking about the November 2024 meeting. Heading into that game in Annapolis, Navy was having a resurgence under Brian Newberry. They were 7-3, playing that gritty, updated triple-option that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. Tulane, ranked #25 at the time, walked into Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and didn't just win—they erased them.
A 35-0 shutout.
That was the largest margin of victory for Tulane in the history of the series. Makhi Hughes, who eventually left for Oregon, was a nightmare that day, grinding out two touchdowns and basically sucking the air out of the stadium. But the real story was Jon Sumrall’s defense. They held Navy to a measly 113 total yards.
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Think about that. You’ve got a Navy team built on ball control and "death by a thousand carries," and they couldn't even crack 120 yards of offense. It was a statement. It signaled that the Tulane Green Wave football vs Navy Midshipmen football dynamic had shifted from a competitive toss-up to a lopsided power struggle.
The Tactical Nightmare: Triple Option vs. Modern Speed
Defending Navy is a chore. It’s boring, physical, and if you're a defensive end, you’re basically getting your ankles dove at for sixty minutes. Most teams struggle because they only see the triple option once a year.
Tulane’s success lately hasn't been about being "bigger"—it’s about their "eyes." Sumrall, and now his 2025 defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato, preach eye discipline. If one linebacker peeks at the fullback when he should be watching the pitch man, it’s a 50-yard touchdown.
In the 2025 season, the Green Wave took this to a new level with a base 4-2-5 defense that used hybrid safeties to crash the edges. It’s a risky way to play against the Midshipmen, but when you have the speed of guys like Sam Howard, it works. Navy tries to out-condition you. Tulane tries to out-run you.
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A History of "Almost"
Before Tulane started dominating, this series was famously tight. From 2015 to 2020, Navy actually won four out of five. There was this heartbreaking 2017 game where Tulane lost 23-21 in Annapolis, a game that basically defined the "Old Tulane"—talented but unable to finish.
The series record is surprisingly close: 14-12-1 in favor of Tulane as of early 2026.
- The 1949 Tie: The first time they ever met, it ended in a 21-21 deadlock.
- The 2005 Blowout: Navy once hung 49 on the Green Wave back when Tulane was struggling in the post-Katrina era.
- The 2024 Statement: The 35-0 win that finally gave Tulane the edge in the modern era.
What Makes This Matchup Different Now?
We have to talk about the transfer portal. It’s changed the "identity" of these games.
Navy is largely protected from the portal chaos because of the service commitment, which means they have incredible chemistry. They've played together for years. Tulane, on the other hand, is a portal monster. After losing Darian Mensah to Duke and Makhi Hughes to Oregon after the 2024 season, Sumrall just reloaded.
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Bringing in Jake Retzlaff from BYU in 2025 changed the math for this rivalry. Retzlaff isn't just a passer; he’s a guy who can run for 100 yards on a whim, as he showed in Tulane's 2025 AAC championship run. When you play Navy, you need a quarterback who can handle the pressure of limited possessions. If Navy’s offense is clicking, your quarterback might only get eight drives the entire game. You can’t afford a three-and-out.
Key Players Who Defined the Series
If you’re looking at why this matchup attracts so much betting interest and "Group of Five" hype, look at these names:
- Blake Horvath (Navy): His rib injury in the 2024 game was the "what if" moment for Midshipmen fans. If he stays healthy, does Tulane still get the shutout? Probably not.
- Makhi Hughes (Tulane): He was the physical bridge between the Willie Fritz era and the Jon Sumrall era. His ability to run between the tackles against Navy's undersized defensive line was the secret sauce.
- Jacob Kyle (Navy): A tackling machine who seems to be involved in every single stop when these two teams meet.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're looking at the next time Tulane Green Wave football vs Navy Midshipmen football pops up on the calendar, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the "Time of Possession" Trap: Navy almost always wins the clock, but that doesn't mean they're winning the game. In 2024, Tulane won by five touchdowns while only having the ball for about 35 minutes—which is high for them, but typical for a dominant performance against a run-heavy team.
- The "Oyster Bowl" Ghost: This matchup has a history of being played in weird neutral sites (like Norfolk) or in extreme weather. Check the wind speeds in Annapolis; it historically wreaks havoc on Tulane’s passing game.
- The Second-Half Grind: Navy’s offense is designed to wear you down by the fourth quarter. If Tulane doesn't have a two-score lead by halftime, the "Navy Math" starts to favor the Midshipmen.
The 2025 season saw Tulane clinch the AAC again, but Navy wasn't far behind, finishing with a stellar 11-2 record. This isn't just a mid-tier conference game anymore; it's often a de facto playoff eliminator for the Group of Five.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the defensive line rotation for Tulane. If they are deep enough to swap out four players every series, Navy's triple option loses its primary weapon: fatigue. Conversely, keep an eye on Navy’s "hybrid" passing stats. Under Newberry, they are throwing more than ever, and that's the one thing that can catch a fast Tulane secondary off guard.