Superdome Era Ends: Tulane 45 - UTEP 3

And like that, the Superdome era is over for the Tulane University Green Wave. On Nov. 23, the team completed the very last chapter in its generally un-storied history with the cavernous Superdome.

Of course, it hand to end in the most uncharacteristic way: a 45-3 beatdown against a struggling UTEP Miners squad. In the end, the Green Wave got it done, and they left the Superdome on a rare high note, even still involved in the conference race.

Here are the quick reactions.

1. Wide Receiver Ryan Grant looks like an NFL caliber wide receiver every time this offense is clicking at all. Today, he put up over 100 yards with two touchdowns to boot. Grant is a dominant receiver with next-level talent.

2. Despite the many successes of this 2013 season, Tulane has not really dominated any opponent other than Playoff Division Jackson State. This UTEP game definitely looked like a statement that the team was refocused and ready to finish strong.

3. The Miners put up 39 yards of rushing. For much of the first half, they struggled to put up any type of yardage. The Green Wave defense gave up almost nothing today.

4. Tulane moves to 5-2 in the conference. UT San Antonio, fresh off its win two weeks ago against Tulane, sits at 5-2 with the tiebreaker over the Green Wave. UNT now is 5-2, but loses the tiebreaker to both Tulane and UT San Antonio.

Here are the remaining scenarios as to how the West Division will be decided.

A. Rice beats Tulane. The Owls would finish at 7-1 and would win the division outright. They control their own destiny. RESULT: RICE OWLS: 

B. UT San Antonio beats Louisiana Tech and Tulane beats Rice. Rice and UTSA would tie at 6-2, but Rice controls the tiebreaker with San Antonio by head-to-head victory.

• UNT Scenario - UNT WINS: If UNT beats Tulsa in this scenario, UNT would be 6-2 as well. This creates a tie at 6-2 among Tulane, San Antonio, UNT, and Rice. Tulane and UTSA are both 2-1 against this group, so they would effectively tie for first. Then, it goes to head-to-head, and UTSA's victory would send the Roadrunners to the title and leave Tulane in second. 

RESULT: UTSA ROADRUNNERS

C. Tulane beats Rice. UTSA loses to Louisiana Tech. UNT outcome does not matter. In this scenario, Tulane, Rice, and UNT finish at 6-2, moving UTSA back to 5-3. Tulane would control the head-to-head with both Rice and UNT. RESULT: TULANE GREEN WAVE 

D. Under no scenario can UNT make it to the conference championship, regardless of the outcome of the Mean Green's game with Tulsa next week. At this point, UNT's stake is simply to figure out seeding and improve its chance to appear in a better bowl game (probably Heart of Dallas would be ideal for Mean Green at this stage).

E. The Louisiana Tech factor. The Bulldogs are playing Tulsa at the moment. If they manage to pick up the win, they will head to UT San Antonio next week with bowl eligibility still on the line. Can't help to think that we should be rooting for LT to have something on the line next week! 

Whew. Altogether, it comes down to this. Rice can win, and they're in. If Tulane wins, it either sends the Green Wave to the championship or propels UT San Antonio to the title game. 

I guess this is what it feels like to have the late season matter? Roll wave.