| Tulsa won the 2012 Conference USA title and looks to claim another in 2013. (Beth Hall, US-Presswire.) |
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel has ranked all 125 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 125 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 29: Tulsa
Coach: Bill Blankenship (19-8 third season; 19-8 overall)
2012 record: 11-3 (7-1 Conference USA; first C-USA West; C-USA champs)
Look back: The Golden Hurricane won its first Conference USA championship since 2005, building on its success in the league. Tulsa has won 10 games or more in four of the past six years and earned bowl invitations in seven of the past eight seasons. Tulsa did so behind a backfield that totaled 3,440 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns, and a defense that was among the best in the country. Tulsa lost its season opener to Iowa State and dropped a game to Arkansas by four points, but the team downed UCF twice en route to the conference title. The Golden Hurricane exacted revenge on Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl with a 31-17 win.
Offensive starters returning: 7
Offensive starters lost: 4
Defensive starters returning: 3
Defensive starters lost: 8
Key losses: OL Brian DeShane, OL Jared Grigg, OL Trent Dupy, DL Cory Dorris, LB DeAundre Brown, DB Dexter McCoil, DL Jared St. John, RB Alex Singleton
Top returnees: WR Keyarris Garrett, QB Cody Green, WR Jordan James, RB Trey Watts, DB Marco Nelson, LB Shawn Jackson, RB Ja'Terian Douglas
Strengths: The offense will have to carry the team this season. Tulsa returns its top two leading rushers (Trey Watts, 1,108 yards, 3 TDs and Ja'Terian Douglas, 936 yards, 7 TDs), starting QB Cody Green and three starting receivers, highlighted by all-conference performers Keyarris Garrett and Jordan James. Green passed for 2,592 yards last season with 17 touchdowns, but also had 11 interceptions and will have to improve his decision-making. Garrett (845 yards, 9 TDs) was a true deep threat and can open things up. Watts also was a strong return specialist.
Weaknesses: The defense loses the bulk of its lineup, including the entire defensive line and most of the secondary. The production up front is most difficult to replace. Tulsa ranked 16th in the country in rushing defense, but lost its top two leading tacklers in LB DeAundre Brown (125 tackles) and DB Dexter McCoil (91 tackles). The Golden Hurricane also lost its pass-rushing presence in Jared St. John (11.5 sacks), Brown (9 sacks) and Cory Dorris (6 sacks). Tulsa also will have to replace three all-conference offensive linemen, including first-team C-USA selections Brian DeShane and Jared Grigg.
Outlook: Though the defense will likely take a step back in 2013, the offense should be as tough as ever with plenty of experienced playmakers back in the lineup. The revamped C-USA lineup also poses fewer challenges for Tulsa. If the offensive line comes together and the Golden Hurricane defense can remain steady, Tulsa should be in line for a second consecutive conference championship and a return trip to the Liberty Bowl.
2013 schedule
Aug. 29 at Bowling Green
Sept. 7 Colorado State
Sept. 14 at Oklahoma
Sept. 26 Iowa State
Oct. 5 Rice
Oct. 12 at UTEP
Oct. 26 at Tulane
Nov. 2 UTSA
Nov. 9 at East Carolina
Nov. 14 Marshall
Nov. 23 at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 30 North Texas
ptenorio@tribune.com
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