College Football Predictions – Tulsa Golden Hurricane 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 10-3
2016 ATS – 8-5
Yes guy. That was impressive.
Tulsa rattled off a 10-win season culminating in a beating of Central Michigan in the Miami Beach Bowl. Ever-annoying TOO MANY BOWL GAMES GUY was on protest but we enjoyed another opportunity to watch their offense shred people to pieces. It was the first team in history with a 3,000 yard passer, TWO 1,000 yard rushers and TWO 1,000 yard receivers. Four of those five players are gone but it seems likely that Tulsa will be able to achieve a “Baylor-style” reload and keep administering PAIN. Let’s examine.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – #3
American Athletic Conference – To be determined
OFFENSE
It has not taken former Baylor OC Philip Montgomery long to put his stamp on this team. Tulsa moved on offense like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE putting up 42.5 points (#7 FBS) and 527 yards (#4) per game. They achieved almost perfect balance (262 rushing, 265 passing). Can the Golden Hurricane keep rolling with so many key pieces from the 2016 offense having left the program ? Good question, Sparky.
Chad President takes over at QB for the departed Dane Evans who threw for over 3,300 yards and 32 TDs. Montgomery has a great history of turning inexperienced QBs into statistical FREAKSHOWS but it is still uncertain as to how President will do in his first season as the starter. The good news is that the Tulsa running game should not miss a beat. The offensive line was fantastic last season and they return 4/5 starters to the group. RB D’Angelo Brewer is back for his senior campaign and all he did was rush for 1,435 yards and 7 TD in 2016. Tulsa is going to miss their top two WRs from last year’s squad. Keevan Lucas and Josh Atkinson accounted for well over 2,000 yards and 23 TDs combined. #3 and #4 return, and overall, we do not expect Tulsa to miss much of a beat provided that the new QB is up to the task.
DEFENSE
Tulsa made significant improvement last season on defense and that went a bit under the radar. The Golden Hurricane only allowed 53.4% completions (#3 AAC) and picked up 32 sacks (#4 AAC).
The 2017 defense looks to be as good (or better ?) on paper as the 2016 version. Tulsa features two senior returning starters at defensive end and nice size at the DT position. The Golden Hurricane will be without the top two tacklers from last season and only bring back one returning starter at LB. The secondary should be really good as they have a lot of experience and proven ability to do a fine job against the pass.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Looking good. PK Redford Jones nailed 21/26 FGs in 2016 and P Thomas Bennett is a promising transfer from Baylor. The return game should be very good with all the speed they have on hand. Two thumbs up.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
October 27 – at SMU. This will be their 3rd road game in four weeks and SMU is going to be a hot handful.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Tulsa lost three games last season. Who beat them ? Ohio St, Navy, Houston. All were road games.
We need our MEGALOCKS research staff to get on this one. Has any team ever scored 50 points in back-to-back bowl games ? Tulsa scored 52 vs Virginia Tech and 55 vs the Chips the past two seasons. #HotFire.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the GOLDEN HURRICANE a 6.0 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season.
It’s time to go DEEP into the official MEGALOCKS ARCHIVES and see what we said last season with an ATS Value Rating of 7.0…….“Tulsa gets on the watch list to start the season and may just have the minerals to make a run at the top of the division”.
We believe that Tulsa can win the AAC West. From an ATS perspective, it may be more challenging this season as they are on DEGENERATE RADAR, not to mention the 16-10 ATS record that HC Montgomery has bagged during his first two seasons in Tulsa.
The smart move will be to always take a close look at them but understand that value is going to be more difficult to find.
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