Tulane vs Charlotte Picks and Prediction for Friday October 30 2026
In Friday night college football action, the Tulane Green Wave will visit the Charlotte 49ers. Kickoff is scheduled for October 30, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST. ESPN2 will be on the call from Jerry Richardson Stadium. The Green Wave are a sizable 10.5 road favorite and the total is set at 47.5. Be sure to check out our free college football picks for more NCAAF predictions throughout the season.
Tulane takes a step back
The Tulane Green Wave are the defending American Conference champions and lost head coach Jon Sumrall to Florida. The Green Wave (3-4) made an underwhelming hire with former Southern Miss head coach Will Hall and are 1-2 in conference play. On Saturday, Tulane was outscored by 14 points in the third quarter and turned the ball over six times during a 42-19 home loss versus UTSA.
Tulane scored on the first play of the game when Anthony Rodgers intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. Freshman QB Trace Johnson threw for 265 yards and was picked off twice in his second career start. Johnnie Daniels added 104 rushing yards and a score for the Green Wave.
Tulane ranks near the bottom of the American Conference in total offense and has seen their scoring dip almost seven points to 20.3. The Green Wave have scored on 86.7 percent of their red zone opportunities. Tulane is allowing more than 400 yards per contest and are giving up 24.6 points per contest.
Charlotte earns a rare conference victory
The Charlotte 49ers have experienced just one winning season in 11 years of FBS competition and head coach Tim Albin is 2-17 since being hired in 2025. The 49ers (1-6) lost all four non-conference games, including a season-opening 43-41 home loss versus the Citadel. Last week, Charlotte erupted for 31 points in the second half to earn a much needed 38-31 road victory against Temple.
Charlotte QB Conner Harrell completed 23 of 31 passes for 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Harrell added two rushing scores. Derrick Eley caught six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Henry Rutledge contributed a game high 123 rushing yards for the 49ers, who converted 6-of-10 third-down attempts.
Charlotte ranks last in American Conference in total defense (465.1 ypg) and surrenders an alarming 40.6 points per game. In their previous two conference losses, the 49ers gave up a total of 109 points. Charlotte also is last in the conference in total offense (310.9 ypg) and averages 19.1 points per contest.
Tulane vs Charlotte Picks and Prediction
Pick: Charlotte +10.5
These two teams have met twice since becoming members of Conference USA and Tulane has won both by a 61-3 combined score. This is a much different Green Wave team than in past years and their three victories have come by an average of seven points. Tulane is starting a freshman QB, who has thrown for one touchdown and three interceptions in two starts. Take the points with the 49ers.
Pick: Under 47.5
There is no getting around the fact that Charlotte is bad on defense. However, there are plenty of signs that point to this being a lower scoring game. Tulane used to have a solid rushing attack but rank near the bottom of the country in rushing success rate. The 49ers allow plenty of havoc on offense and will have a difficult time sustaining drives. Take the under.