Entering the weekend, three AAC programs—SMU, Tulane and UTSA—held an undefeated conference record.
Friday afternoon, Tulane capitalized on five takeaways and a pair of turnovers on downs to knock off UTSA 29-16. Michael Pratt passed for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while Makhi Hughes scampered for 166 yards and a score in a critical victory for the Green Wave.
Tulane, which improved to 11-1, has sealed a place in the AAC Championship Game. The opponent will be SMU if the Mustangs beat Navy or, if that doesn't happen, a rematch with UTSA.
Regardless of which team awaits next week, though, the Green Wave are a victory away from making a second straight New Year's Six bowl. Tulane is already the highest-ranked Group of Five program in the CFP rankings, so it's improbable that it would change with a conference title.
