Iowa State Football: Tulsa Golden Hurricane Lookahead

Dec 31, 2012; Memphis, TN, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Albert Gary (18) gets tackled by Tulsa Golden Hurricane defensive end Cory Dorris (93) in the Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Stadium. Tulsa won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

Yup, it’s these guys again. For the third time in just a shade over a year, the Iowa State football team will take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Their current series is now 1-1 as the Cyclones took the season opener but the Hurricane dominated in the Liberty Bowl.

The rubber match will be held on Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kickoff is set for Thursday, September 26th at 6:30 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports 1)

2012 Tulsa Quick Recap

The Golden Hurricane went 11-3 last season with their biggest loss coming on the road at Jack Trice Stadium 38-22. After the season opener, Tulsa went on to win seven straight before losing to Arkansas by four and at Southern Methodist by eight. That game against the Mustangs was the only loss they had against Conference USA and took home the championship after defeating Central Florida in overtime.

Two things the team excelled in last season was their rushing attack and talent in the trenches. They finished ninth in the nation with 245.7 rushing yards per game, third in the nation with 3.8 sacks per game, and fourth in the nation giving up just .6 sacks per game.

Projecting the Golden Hurricane

With the shakeup of Houston, Central Florida, Memphis, and Southern Methodist leaving the conference, things might be a little bit easier on the Tulsa defense that’s replacing nine guys. The offense will be back with their arsenal of skill players, making them the best group in Conference USA save the for the potential of Marshall in the other division.

That won’t bode well for an Iowa State defense that will luckily get some work before having to take on the daunting task of slowing down what will be the best offense they’ll meet this season.

Too Early Prediction

Facing this good of an offense will be great for the Iowa State Cyclones that will try to find new leadership and will test their might as they head into a Big 12 conference that will feature some of the nation’s premier offenses.

It will be a good measuring stick to see where the Cyclones are at on defense. On offense, they’ll be able to get work done against a defense that will still be figuring it out. That should be difference that gives ISU the edge, but this road game will be too tall of an order to walk away with victorious.