The Bearcats avoided the trap game and took care of business down in Houston to improve to 5-1 on the season and moved up to #21 in the polls. They comfortably sit in the drivers seat for the division. Tulsa comes into the week 5th in the division and were blown out by Navy last week.
The Bearcats survived the gauntlet that was the first half of the schedule and the only blemish was a road loss to the Buckeyes, and yes they didn’t look great in that game, but we now know that was more about how much better OSU is than everyone else, than it is about UC not being a good football team.
What can we expect for this week when the Golden Hurricane come to Nippert Stadium? We can expect a team that hasn’t seemed to figure out the defensive side of the ball. Tulsa is giving up 32 points a game and just under 400 yards of total offense (including 28 points in week 1 to Michigan State which is the equivalent of 100 points to a normal offensive team).
On the offensive side of the ball Tulsa is led by junior quarterback Zach Smith. Tulsa is an offense that works best through the air, junior running back Shamari Brooks is the leading rusher with an average of 77 yards a game and has just 4 touchdowns on the season, and Smith does work the ball around to multiple wide receivers. Junior wide receiver Keylon Stokes is the leader of that group with 467 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Zach Smith is going to have to get the ball to playmakers early and often if Tulsa wants to have any chance in this ball game. Smith completes only 55% of his passes, but he does have over 1,600 yards and 10 touchdown passes on the season, this was a Tulsa team that did play SMU into overtime a few weeks ago and it was a game Tulsa should have actually won.
This game is going to come down to how often Tulsa is able to get stops against a Bearcats offense that seems to be finding its stride going into the second part of the season. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has gotten noticeably better as the season has gone on and while some fan have issues with play calling, the fact remains the Bearcats are capable of putting up big point totals and they are 5-1.
As long as the Bearcats protect the ball and clean up some of the careless penalties then they shouldn’t be under too much pressure in this game and I expect Mike Warren II to have another big day against the Tulsa defense that gives up over 200 yards a game on the ground.
It is also worth noting that this is the game UC will be honoring the 2009 undefeated team and a huge portion of that roster, including coach Brian Kelly will be in attendance. I understand the wanting to boo former coach Kelly because of the way he left, trust me I am right there with you I actively root for Notre Dame to lose every week because of Kelly, BUT this is not about him its about the team and the best season in school history so I urge you on behalf of all those other guys Tony Pike, Armon Binns, Mardy Gilyard, etc. let’s make sure we give them the best reception possible.
