With a turnover of 60 players and only five starters back, Tulane coach Jon Sumrall was hopeful but hesitant entering his second year in New Orleans.

He knew there was enough talent on the transfer-laden roster to reach his fourth conference championship game in as many years as a coach, but he had no idea whether the parts would fit together quickly enough.

It turns out they did, despite plenty of anxious moments along the way.

Tulane (9-2, 6-1) is a 29½-point favorite on Saturday to beat Charlotte (1-10, 0-7) — the largest spread of any game this weekend — and clinch hosting rights for next Friday’s American Conference championship game. It would be the third time in four seasons the title went through Yulman Stadium and Sumrall’s third chance to win a league championship at home

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