Blog Swap With Tulsa

We always try to get a local perspective each week, especially when we play non-MAC opposition, so I appreciate the time that Eric Bailey took to answer my questions.  Eric covers Tulsa for the Tulsa World.  I thank him for his time.


1. Were you surprised to give up 51 points to a rebuilding East Carolina team? What do you expect from the Tulsa defense for the remainder of the season?

I was surprised that Tulsa gave up 51 points. I knew that Tulsa was young in the secondary and, after two starting safeties went down in the third quarter, things really steamrolled against the Golden Hurricane. The team didn't have a lot of depth entering the season, so the team's health at the position will be critical in each game, beginning with the Bowling Green game

2. On the flip side, the offense was certainly productive. Do you think Tulsa has the ability to reach the Houston Cougar stratosphere on points per game?

Tulsa led the nation in total offense in 2007 and 2008, so it wouldn't be new for the program to put up plenty of points and offense. Chad Morris, the team's new offensive coordinator, is a Gus Malzahn disciple (Malzahn, at Auburn now, was TU's coordinator in 2007 and 2008) and did a great job calling the ECU game in his debut. I think the offense, with the skill players that it has, will put up a lot of points this season.

3. Do you think that the offensive line is improved over last season?

The offensive line gave up 46 sacks last season and only one against East Carolina in week one, a vast improvement. It's too early to say, but if that first week is an indication, it looks good for Tulsa.

4. Were there any big surprises in camp that brought new players onto the two-deep who were not expected? Any up and coming players we should keep our eye on?

Trey Watts, the starting tailback, entered camp as the fifth-string running back. He is a walk-on, redshirt freshman that had a lot of yards running and receiving in the opener and gives TU a running threat that it didn't have last season. He joins Ja'Terian Douglas in the backfield. Wide receivers to watch include Jameel Owens and Thomas Roberson. On defense, keep an eye out for John Flanders. He's a cornerback who didn't get his name called much in week one because he did a good job of locking down his man

5. What is the gameday experience like in Tulsa

The gameday experience at Tulsa fluctuates, depending on the weather, if TU is winning or losing, etc. Tulsa is the smallest Division I playing football school with 2,900 undergraduates, so there isn't a deep student or alumni base to draw from. Also, TU is often battling Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for fans (both of those schools have home games this Saturday). Being the home opener, I expect about 20,000. The stadium is very nice and it has an intimate feel, with about 30,000 capacity.
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A note of my own.  I had no idea Tulsa was the smallest D1 football school.  That is a really small college...which makes their recent success even more impressive.  It sounds like their stadium is similar to the Doyt as well.