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Tulsa Football: Defense can lead Golden Hurricane back to AAC title game

By Jackson Caudell

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 19: Wide receiver JuanCarlos Santana #5 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes turns with a nine-yard catch against safety Tanner McCalister #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first quarter on September 19, 2020 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 16-7. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 19: Wide receiver JuanCarlos Santana #5 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes turns with a nine-yard catch against safety Tanner McCalister #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first quarter on September 19, 2020 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 16-7. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Phillip Montgomery Tulsa Football. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Phillip Montgomery Tulsa Football. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

How will Tulsa football fare in 2021?

Playing in the AAC means that Tulsa is going to have to play teams like Cincinnati and Memphis, but Tulsa also has a pretty challenging non-conference schedule.

It’s going to be a tough first month for the Golden Hurricane and their new quarterback and how they rebound is going to determine their season.

  • Game 1: UC Davis (W) — This will be a good warmup for the new quarterback before the real challenges begin.
  • Game 2: at Oklahoma State (L) — Tulsa almost shocked the Cowboys in Stillwater last season and I think it could happen this year, but I will go with Oklahoma State at home.
  • Game 3: at Ohio State (L) — A road game against a national title contender is not going to end well for Tulsa.
  • Game 4: Arkansas State (W) — Tulsa rebounds after two tough losses to Power Five opponents.
  • Game 5: Houston (W) — I am pretty bullish on Houston this season, but I think Tulsa gets the win in their conference opener.
  • Game 6: Memphis (W) — Tulsa is fortunate to start off conference play with two of their tougher games at home and that will give them the edge.
  • Game 7: at South Florida (W) — USF is probably going to be one of the worst teams in the conference and Tulsa should win big here.
  • Game 8: Navy (W) — I don’t think Navy will be as good as they have been in recent years and Tulsa stays undefeated in AAC play.
  • Game 9: at Cincinnati (L) — Tulsa almost clipped the Bearcats in the title game last season, but it will fall short yet again on the road.
  • Game 10: at Tulane (W) — This will be a tough game, but I like Tulsa’s defense to be the key factor in this one.
  • Game 11: Temple (W) — Temple is going to be just as bad as USF this season and this will be a big Tulsa win.
  • Game 12: at SMU (L) — Three road games in the last four will be tough and I don’t think Tulsa will be able to beat the Mustangs away from home.

Prediction: 8-4, 6-2 AAC

After a tough September, with games against Oklahoma State and Ohio State, it is going to be imperative that Tulsa hits the ground running with some of their tougher games in conference at home. A 6-2 record might be good enough to get back to the conference title game.

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