While Tulane is in the unfamiliar position as a favorite against a power-conference team, Northwestern is accustomed to its role as an underdog heading into Saturday’s season opener at Yulman Stadium.

The Wildcats have been favored vs. FBS teams only twice in two years under coach David Braun, and they ended 2024 as an underdog nine consecutive times. They have won seven of 19 games in his tenure against opponents expected to beat them and are 3-4 as single-digit underdogs — the scenario they face against Tulane.

Braun embraced the rare road game against a top Group of Five school.

“It’s an opportunity for a tone-setter,” he said. “We know (Tulane) is a team people are talking about as Top 25 and a team that has an opportunity to earn a place in the CFP. We know there’s going to be adve

See Full Page