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College football: Predicting who finishes in last place of every conference

By Maitland Rutledge

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 24: Illinois Football head coach Lovie Smith speaks to the media during the Big Ten Football Media Days event on July 24, 2018 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 24: Illinois Football head coach Lovie Smith speaks to the media during the Big Ten Football Media Days event on July 24, 2018 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 19: Head coach Philip Montgomery of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane yells during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Marlins Park on December 19, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 19: Head coach Philip Montgomery of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane yells during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Marlins Park on December 19, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

American Athletic: Tulsa

Tulsa will be looking for a strong rebound season after showing promise last year but ultimately finishing last in the American Athletic Conference.

Over the past decade, the Golden Hurricanes have been one of the biggest inconsistent programs. Under head coach Phillip Montgomery, the trend has continued. The team went 6-6 his first year, losing to Virginia Tech in the Independence Bowl. In 2016, the team improved dramatically, going 9-3 and winning the Miami Beach Bowl, but last year the team hit rock bottom. Tulsa finished last in the American Athletic West division, going 2-10 with one conference win.

The defense was atrocious, finishing second to last in the conference in total defense; allowing 528.9 yards per game. Losing star safety Jordan Mitchell for the season due to a torn ACL three games in hurt the most. Fortunately, Mitchell will return for his senior season. Fellow safety and leading tackler McKinley Whitfield is also returning.

The offense showed promise last season, finishing eighth in the conference in total offense, but has some talent to replace. The team and conference-leading rusher is gone. D’Angelo Brewer carried the Golden Hurricanes in 2017, rushing for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns. Shamri Brooks actually led the team in rushing touchdowns with 10 as a freshman. Whether he can be the main back in this offense and continue the team’s success on the ground remains to be seen.

While quarterbacks Luke Skipper and Chad President both return, Montgomery could not figure out who his main signal-caller was last year. President has more to offer, being more mobile. Last year he passed for 921 yards while also accumulating 429 yards on the ground with nine touchdowns. Skipper is the better passer and led the team with 1,141 yards. However, both quarterbacks combined for only six touchdowns and six interceptions. Whoever Montgomery decides to roll with will need to show more consistency if the Golden Hurricanes want to avoid another down season.

The schedule is daunting as well. A winnable matchup against Central Arkansas will be followed by a game against a Texas team with a lot of potential and an Arkansas State team that won seven games last season. It does not get any easier from there with three tough conference opponents then a midseason game against Arkansas. Overall, Tulsa faced eight bowl teams from the previous year. Another two-win season appears to be their fate.