2008 Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Written July 19, 2008 by Jason Lowry
Professional handicapper Jason Lowry is ready to bring you his 2008 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football predictions. The Golden Hurricane put together another solid season going 10-4 overall, including a blowout win over Bowling Green in the GMAC Bowl game. This year head coach Todd Graham brings back 14 starters to make another run at the Conference USA Championship. To get a good idea at how good the Golden Hurricane will be this season, lets take a quick look at both sides of the ball for the upcoming season.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane odds to WIN National Championship
+4000 as (any other team) at Sportsbook.com
Offense:
The offense is loaded with returning talent as they bring back nine starters on this side of the ball, but they have to count on senior David Johnson to step in at the quarterback position and lead this team. The team does bring back 1,225 yard and 8 touchdown running back in senior Tarrion Adams. Making things easier on Johnson is the trio of receivers coming back in senior Brennan Marion who grabbed 11 touchdowns and 1,244yards, junior Slick Shelley who tallied 1,024 yards and 7 touchdowns, while sophomore Trae Johnson brought in 13 touchdowns and gained 1,084 yards last year as a freshman. On the offensive line the team only needs to bring in a new left tackle, and that looks like it will be redshirt freshman Tyler Holmes. The team could decide to switch senior right tackle Rodrick Thomas to the left tackle spot before opending day.
Defense:
Its a little bit rougher on this side of the ball, as the Golden Hurricane only bring back 5 starters on this side of the ball. The team brings back just senior defensive end Moton Hopkins on the line, and he needs to be a force this season in the Golden Hurricanes 3-4 scheme. Sophomore Odrick Ray is expected to play opposite of Hopkins, while the veteran senior Terrl Nemons at the tackle spot. Only two starters return at the linebacker positions this season and the team will need junior Mike Bryan and sophomore Tanner Antie to step in and contribute as starters this season. The secondary also brings just a little bit back as only 2 guys come back here as well. All four starters are expected to be juniors, as John Deatin steps in at the open corner spot, while it looks like Ade’ Manga will be the teams new starting strong safety.
Prediction: 1st in Conference USA
We like the Golden Hurricane to not only win the West division, we think they are the best team in the whole conference. If Johnson can step and play well at quarterback this team could win up winning 11-12 games this season.
If you want to place a bet on the Golden Hurricane’s odds this season, head over to Sportsbook.com and get your bet in today. Look back for our Conference USA Predictions. For those looking for other teams predictions, be sure to check out all of Jason Lowry’s team and conference preview and predictions today.