What Is 1968 Tulane Green Wave football team

Overview

The 1968 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the NCAA University Division football season, marking the program's 77th season of competition. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Green Wave struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3–7 overall record and a 1–5 conference mark.

Under the leadership of head coach Tommy O'Boyle, who was in his seventh year at the helm, the team faced challenges on both offense and defense. Despite flashes of potential, Tulane failed to secure a winning season, highlighting a transitional period for the program during a turbulent era in college football.

• Season Record: The team finished with a 3–7 overall record, their worst since 1964, reflecting struggles in both offense and defense.
• Conference Play: In SEC competition, Tulane went 1–5, with their only win coming against Vanderbilt, a 17–14 victory in Nashville.
• Scoring Output: The Green Wave scored 147 total points across 10 games, averaging just 14.7 points per game, ranking near the bottom in the conference.
• Defensive Struggles: Opponents scored 220 points against Tulane, averaging 22.0 points per game, indicating significant defensive vulnerabilities.
• Home Venue: All home games were played at Tulane Stadium, a 80,752-seat venue in New Orleans that hosted both college and professional football.

How It Works

The 1968 season operated within the structure of NCAA University Division football, the predecessor to today's FBS, with Tulane competing under standard college football rules and scheduling.

• Head Coach:Tommy O'Boyle served as head coach from 1962 to 1969, compiling a 33–49–2 record; 1968 was his sixth losing season in seven years.
• Offensive System: The team ran a pro-style offense, emphasizing power running and short passing, but lacked consistent playmakers to execute effectively.
• Defensive Scheme: Tulane employed a 4–3 defense, but frequent breakdowns in coverage and tackling contributed to their high points-allowed total.
• Recruiting Base: Most players were recruited from Louisiana and surrounding Southern states, reflecting regional talent pipelines common in the SEC at the time.
• Game Schedule: The 10-game schedule included six SEC opponents and four non-conference foes, typical for conference alignment in the late 1960s.
• Player Eligibility: NCAA rules limited eligibility to four seasons, and freshmen were not yet eligible to play varsity football until 1972.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1968 Green Wave to other SEC teams that season reveals their position near the bottom of the conference standings.

While Tulane outperformed only Vanderbilt in the SEC, they were outscored by opponents by a 220–147 margin. The table illustrates how the Green Wave lagged behind powerhouses like Alabama and LSU, both of whom reached major bowl games. Their single conference win underscored the difficulty of competing in a strengthening SEC during the late 1960s.

Why It Matters

The 1968 season is a snapshot of a program in transition, reflecting broader challenges facing smaller private schools in major conferences during the era of rising athletic professionalism.

• Historical Context: The 1968 team played during a time of social upheaval, including the Civil Rights Movement, which influenced college athletics nationwide.
• Conference Realignment: Tulane remained in the SEC until 1966 but continued to compete as a member through 1964; by 1968, they were officially non-conference, though scheduling overlap persisted.
• Program Decline: The losing record contributed to declining attendance and interest, foreshadowing Tulane's eventual departure from the SEC in 1966 (though games continued).
• Stadium Legacy: Tulane Stadium, where the team played, was later demolished in 1980 after the Saints moved to the Superdome.
• Recruiting Challenges: As a private institution, Tulane struggled to match the scholarship offerings of larger public SEC schools, limiting talent acquisition.
• Foundation for Change: The struggles of the late 1960s eventually led to a reevaluation of athletic priorities, culminating in Tulane joining Conference USA in 1996.

The 1968 season, while unremarkable on the surface, underscores the shifting dynamics of college football and the challenges faced by academically focused institutions in competitive athletic environments.