Pac-12's Southern Cal faces AAC champ Tulane in Cotton Bowl
By The Associated Press - Dec. 04, 2022 03:17 PM EST
Tulane wide receiver Shae Wyatt (10) breaks free for a touchdown run against Central Florida linebacker Jason Johnson (15) during the second half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Tulane wide receiver Shae Wyatt (10) breaks free for a touchdown run against Central Florida linebacker Jason Johnson (15) during the second half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Tulane players celebrate their team's victory against Central Florida at the end of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Southern California defensive back Jacobe Covington (14) breaks up a pass intended for Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) during the second half of the Pac-12 Conference championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Southern California running back Raleek Brown (14) avoids a tackle attempt by Utah defensive end Gabe Reid (91) during the first half of the Pac-12 Conference championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Southern California running back Raleek Brown (14) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Utah during the first half of the Pac-12 Conference championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. Southern California's Brenden Rice (2) looks on. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
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No. 14 Tulane (11-2, American Athletic, No. 16 CFP) vs No. 8 Southern California (11-2, Pac-12, No. 10 CFP), Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Arlington, Texas

TOP PLAYERS

Tulane: RB Tyjae Spears, 1,376 yards rushing, 15 touchdowns.

Southern California: QB Caleb Williams, 4,075 yards passing, 37 touchdowns, 4 interceptions; 372 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns.

NOTABLE

Tulane: The Green Wave won the American Athletic Conference title Saturday by beating UCF 45-28. Went from 2-10 last season to first 10-win season and national ranking since 1998, matching FBS record for largest year-to-year improvement.

Southern California: With chance to get in the four-team College Football Playoff, the Trojans lost 47-24 to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game Friday night. The Trojans have already matched their largest win increase between seasons, from 4-8 last year to 11-2 in coach Lincoln Riley's first season.

LAST TIME

Southern California 20, Tulane 13, Dec. 21, 1946.

BOWL HISTORY

Tulane: First appearance in Cotton Bowl, 15th bowl game in school history.

Southern California: Third appearance in Cotton Bowl, 56th bowl game in school history.

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