Tulsa Golden Hurricane
2011 Record: 8-5 overall, 7-1 Conference USA West
2011 Bowl Result: Lost to BYU 24-21 in Armed Forces Bowl
Head Coach: Bill Blankenship

Last season, Bill Blankenship became the head coach of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, after Todd Graham left to take over the Pitt program. Despite a difficult schedule, Tulsa still won 8 games and had a chance to win the Conference USA West division title in the last game of the season against Houston. Tulsa had losses to Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Boise St, and Houston, all ranked in the top 10 at some point of the season. Tulsa was destroyed in all four games by an average of 27.7 points. The Golden Hurricane had to settle for a bid to the Armed Forces Bowl where they narrowly lost 24-21 to BYU to finish 8-5. Turnovers were a problem for Tulsa as they had 40 over the course of the season.

This year, Tulsa looks to continue a stretch of good to great seasons. The Golden Hurricane have won 61 games in the last 7 seasons, or just under 9 a year. Tulsa should battle Houston for the Conference USA West Division title again.

Here is a look at the offense, defense, special teams, and schedule for Tulsa.

Offense

In recent years, Tulsa has had one of the most balanced offenses in the country. That didn’t change in Blankenship’s first year at the helm. Offensive coordinator Greg Peterson employed a similar spread offense that Tulsa used under Graham.

Tulsa must replace quarterback G.J. Kinne who had just under 3,500 combined rushing and passing yards. Kinne threw 28 touchdown passes and ran for 3 more, while throwing 12 interceptions. The likely starter will be Cody Green, a transfer from Nebraska. Green played in 17 games and started 4 for the Huskers. He played well in the Tulsa spring game. Green underwent arthroscopic hip surgery in April but is expected to be ready by the time fall camp opens. Like Kinne, Green is a dual threat quarterback who can do damage with both his arm and legs. Redshirt  sophomore Kalen Henderson will be the back-up if something happens to Green. He threw 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in limited action last year as a freshman.

The running game should be great, as they return 3 of their top 4 rushers. Everyone except Kinne returns. Je’Terian Douglas and Trey Watts combined for almost 1,800 yards with 7 touchdowns. Watts also caught 31 passes and 3 touchdowns. Short down back Alex Singleton had 279 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. If Green gets similar carries as Kinne he will rush 9 times a game, not counting sacks.

The most dangerous weapon among the receivers is H-Back Willie Carter, who had 61 catches, 868 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He also had 2 rushing touchdowns. Along with Carter, the other 3 top receivers return. Bryan Burnham had 54 catches, 850 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Jordan James and Ricky Johnson also return. Jame had 31 catches, 391 yards and a touchdown. Johnson had only 14 catches, but 4 of them were for touchdowns. Keyarris Garrett and another Nebraska transfer Khiry Cooper will also get significant targets. The only question is at tight end where the Golden Hurricane must replace the top two, including Clay Sears, who caught 37 passes, for 469 yards and 7 touchdowns. It isn’t clear who the tight end will be going into camp.

The offensive line lost three starters, but returns 3 players with starting experience. The line should be anchored by center Trent Dupy, a four year starter. Tackle Brian DeShane and guard Stetson Burnettalso have starting experience. The Hurricane must replace all-conference guard Clint Anderson.

Defense

Despite the blowout losses mentioned previously where Tulsa gave up at least 41 points in each game, the defense held the other 9 opponents to 28 or less. Don’t get me wrong, no one would have confused Tulsa’s defense with Alabama’s last year, but the Golden Hurricane weren’t terrible on defense. Seven starters return from that unit, including 3 of the top 4 tacklers.

Under first year defensive coordinator Brent Guy, Tulsa had the 38th best defense in the nation and were #12 against the run and 30th against the pass. The front seven was one of the best in the conference if not the country.Tulsa switched from a  3-4 to a 4-3 last season and will use the same system this year.

The defensive line returns 3 starters including senior end Cory Dorris, who had 55 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and even blocked 3 kicks on special teams. The other end will be Jared St. John who has to replace All-Conference Tyrunn Walker who had 8 sacks. Both interior tackles return in Daeshon Bufford and Derrick Jackson. Derrick Alexander, Derrick Luetjen and Brentom Todd will also get playing time on the line to add depth along with a good class of incoming freshmen.

The linebackers must replace middle linebacker Curnelius Arnick who made 16% of all tackles Tulsa made. The top linebacker is Shawn Jackson, originally recruited as a quarterback. Jackson was honorable mention All-Conference last year with 101 tackles, 11 for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups. DeAundre Brown returns for his senior year. He led Tulsa in tackles as a freshman. He missed 2010 due to academic problems and played sparingly last season. He looks to return to his dominant ways from 4 years ago. Dewitt Jennings, Donnell Hawkins, and redshirt freshman Trent Martin will also get playing time. Hawkins and Martin will compete in fall practice to replace Arnick.

Safety Dexter McCoil returns to lead the secondary. McCoil has 13 career interceptions, including 6 last year. Four year starter Marco Nelson returns as well. He missed some time in spring practice and could be challenged by redshirt freshman Michael Mudoh for the job. The corners are John Flanders who missed all of 2011 with an injury, and Lowell Ross, a transfer from UCLA. J.D. Ratliff, Dwight Dobbins, and Justin Skillins addepth to the unit.

Special Teams

Kicker Kevin Fitzpatrick was first team All-C-USA making 15 of 18 field goals last year. He also took over the punting duties midway through the season. Fitzpatrick graduated though. He will be replaced at kicker by true freshman Daniel Schwarz, one of the top kicking recruits in the country.

Cole Way (brother of Oklahoma punter Tress) will regain the punting job after he was benched in favor of Fitzpatrick. Way averaged only 38 yards a punt, and had two blocked last year. He might be the placekicker as well if Schwarz struggles.

Watts will return both kicks and punts again. He had a 94 yard kickoff return for a TD last year against UTEP.

Schedule

The schedule is a little easier this season, but still presents some challenges. Tulsa opens with a tough but winnable game at Iowa St from the Big 12. Tulsa then has a 3 game home stand against Tulane, Nicholls St, and Fresno St. The Golden Hurricane then go on the road to Alabama-Birmingham and Marshall. Tulsa then hosts UTEP and Rice. The Hurricane could potentially be 8-0 when they make trips to Arkansas and Houston. Tulsa hosts Central Florida after that brutal two game trip, and closes at SMU. Tulsa avoids in-state powerhouses Oklahoma and Oklahoma St this year.

Outlook

Tulsa needs to cut down on the turnovers from last year on offense. They have plenty of weapons at the skill positions and if Green can grasp the system, the offense should be explosive. The defense will take a step back with the loss of the talented Walker and Arnick, but should still be decent.

The biggest break might be the schedule. It would be an upset if Tulsa would go on the road and beat a middle of pack Big 12 team, but it wouldn’t be a complete shock if they beat Iowa St. They also face a tricky game at Marshall, but realistically Tulsa should be no worse than 7-1 heading into November when the schedule gets much more difficult. They should get pounded pretty badly at Arkansas, and Houston will be tough to beat. That game will likely decide who wins the Conference USA West title much like it did last year. Central Florida is on probation and ineligible for post-season play. However, they are still a very good team and could play spoiler. SMU could also present a challenge at home, but I say Tulsa goes 9-3.

We have plenty of college football betting picks available for the upcoming season.