Next Year

[goldenhurricane2]

Looks like Montgomery has been hitting the juco front pretty hard lately, especially on defense. I’m glad he sees that there’s an issue and is trying to fix it. Obviously juco players are a quick fix, but we need a few holes plugged quickly to be able to have a winning record next season.

As far as the schedule goes, it’s a little more forgiving than this year’s. We have an FCS team on the schedule, but I’m glad we’re opening the season with them... that will curb some of the attendance issue with playing a lower level team. The excitement of opening weekend will cancel out the fact that it’s Central Arkansas.

While the home schedule doesn’t provide any “big” games, it allows for us to get back on our feet with some wins. If the jucos fix some of the defensive issues and skipper continues to develop in the offseason, a bowl game should be well within reach. I good step forward in getting back on the right (winning) path.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox_rivals]

As far as the schedule goes, it’s a little more forgiving than this year’s. We have an FCS team on the schedule, but I’m glad we’re opening the season with them... that will curb some of the attendance issue with playing a lower level team. The excitement of opening weekend will cancel out the fact that it’s Central Arkansas.

It won't help that the opener is on a holiday weekend. That seems to be a built in excuse for many not to attend.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

It won't help that the opener is on a holiday weekend. That seems to be a built in excuse for many not to attend.

Maybe, but I’m hoping that people in the area are starved enough for football that they’ll come watch even if it is an FCS school on a holiday weekend.

 

[Lumpuckeroo]

Looks like Montgomery has been hitting the juco front pretty hard lately, especially on defense. I’m glad he sees that there’s an issue and is trying to fix it. Obviously juco players are a quick fix, but we need a few holes plugged quickly to be able to have a winning record next season.

As far as the schedule goes, it’s a little more forgiving than this year’s. We have an FCS team on the schedule, but I’m glad we’re opening the season with them... that will curb some of the attendance issue with playing a lower level team. The excitement of opening weekend will cancel out the fact that it’s Central Arkansas.

While the home schedule doesn’t provide any “big” games, it allows for us to get back on our feet with some wins. If the jucos fix some of the defensive issues and skipper continues to develop in the offseason, a bowl game should be well within reach. I good step forward in getting back on the right (winning) path.

Luke

 

[Lumpuckeroo]

Luke

Luke has a lot of work ahead of him .

 

[TU_BLA]

It won't help that the opener is on a holiday weekend. That seems to be a built in excuse for many not to attend.

Maybe, but I’m hoping that people in the area are starved enough for football that they’ll come watch even if it is an FCS school on a holiday weekend.

Unless it’s 95 degrees...or at the same time that OU plays the Mexican Sisters of El Paso on pay per view for $100. TU could counter with free beer for everyone and Tulsa (the citizens) of would still scoff because they’d actually have to make an effort and stand in line for the free beer.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Unless it’s 95 degrees...or at the same time that OU plays the Mexican Sisters of El Paso on pay per view for $100. TU could counter with free beer for everyone and Tulsa (the citizens) of would still scoff because they’d actually have to make an effort and stand in line for the free beer.

Both ou and osu have home games that day. Osu hosts Missouri State and ou hosts Florida Atlantic. Not much better than TU hosting central Arkansas.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Luke has a lot of work ahead of him .

As would any freshman qb between freshman and sophomore year. He has the tools, he just needs to fine tune them. Otherwise we’ll either be in the seth boomer boat or going after a juco qb.

 

[TU_BLA]

Both ou and osu have home games that day. Osu hosts Missouri State and ou hosts Florida Atlantic. Not much better than TU hosting central Arkansas.

Central Arkansas is a much better team than Mo State actually. And FAU might put up some points on OU....Kiffin will find a way to get them to move the ball.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Central Arkansas is a much better team than Mo State actually. And FAU might put up some points on OU....Kiffin will find a way to get them to move the ball.

Yes Central Arkansas is better than Missouri State, but as far as local perception, they’re pretty much on par with one another.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Central Arkansas is a much better team than Mo State actually. And FAU might put up some points on OU....Kiffin will find a way to get them to move the ball.

As far as attendance goes, most people just see an FCS team, and don't pay attention to whether it's Missouri St. or C. Arkansas.

 

[tupatsfan]

Outside of a huge name it doesn't matter who we play. Tulsans are LAZY AF when it comes to supporting sports. They would rather sit on the couch complaining that its one degree too hot or would rather go to the casino. I've accepted this is just how it's going to be.

 

[noble cane]

Unless it’s 95 degrees...or at the same time that OU plays the Mexican Sisters of El Paso on pay per view for $100. TU could counter with free beer for everyone and Tulsa (the citizens) of would still scoff because they’d actually have to make an effort and stand in line for the free beer.

Not that they would have to stand in line, but, that it wouldn’t be free CRAFT beer.

I’d be there.. but my two favorite beers are “free” and “cold”.

 

[noble cane]

Central Arkansas is a much better team than Mo State actually. And FAU might put up some points on OU....Kiffin will find a way to get them to move the ball.

If the Gooners win it all, then all media and casual eyes will be on Norman for the coronation... it won’t matter what we do for promotion...

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Go Clemson!!!

 

[aTUfan_rivals]

Right now, we just need to win.

 

[noble cane]

Go Clemson!!!

Go ‘Bama! Roll Tide!

 

[JesseTU]

I hope our coaches are taking Central Arkansas more seriously than many on here are. They lost exactly one regular season game this season, to Kansas State in Manhattan (before getting knocked out of the FCS playoffs). Recall that Kansas State beat Okie State and lost to OU by 5. Most of Central Arkansas's wins were by 21+ points. They finished #3 in the FCS coaches poll.

Thank God they are losing their Sr. QB, who was #1 in passing efficiency in the FCS. They lose a few other seniors too, but they weren't freakishly top heavy. We will be facing a solid team, one that should be undersized compared to an FBS school, but on that is used to winning.

A 2-10 FBS team vs. a 10-2 FCS team on opening week. I realize we should win, but I will be keeping myself hunble until we show that we remember how to win.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Ok Debbie Downer.

 

[Fmr'Cane16]

^ agreed. I don’t like this opener. We should win but the top 10 FCS teams and the bottom 1/4 of FBS teams have negligible differences IMO. They will roll some skill kids out that would play here. Unfortunately it’s not a gimme

 

[tupatsfan]

Good God. I won't comment on why I'm not surprised which posters are saying this will be close.

We will absolutely ROLL Central Arkansas. GTFO. Yes, yes it is a gimme. Look at our 2-10 record and how many of those games were close or could have been wins? Exactly. UCA will be a cakewalk.

 

[tupatsfan]

I hope our coaches are taking Central Arkansas more seriously than many on here are. They lost exactly one regular season game this season, to Kansas State in Manhattan (before getting knocked out of the FCS playoffs). Recall that Kansas State beat Okie State and lost to OU by 5. Most of Central Arkansas's wins were by 21+ points. They finished #3 in the FCS coaches poll.

Thank God they are losing their Sr. QB, who was #1 in passing efficiency in the FCS. They lose a few other seniors too, but they weren't freakishly top heavy. We will be facing a solid team, one that should be undersized compared to an FBS school, but on that is used to winning.

A 2-10 FBS team vs. a 10-2 FCS team on opening week. I realize we should win, but I will be keeping myself hunble until we show that we remember how to win.

Cool story bro.

 

[Fmr'Cane16]

Good God. I won't comment on why I'm not surprised which posters are saying this will be close.

Comment away bro.

 

[TulsaCane12]

I was about to mention this game won't be as easy as most may think. I pay close attention to the FCS teams as I have a connection to the South Dakota schools. I expect us to be much improved so it shouldn't matter, but if we still have the same problems as this year, no game will be easy

 

[HuffyCane]

I don't care what classification we are playing, if they can throw against our defense, and we cannot throw and respond, it will not be a contest. Next year's Oline is going to be quite a bit different.

 

[JesseTU]

Cool story bro.

That's what the rubes at ECU said when they scheduled a highly ranked FCS team for their home opener this year. So did UNLV, Georgia State, and Baylor. So did Pitt, Central Michigan, UCONN, LALA, and Oregon State - who survived by a combined 18 points. That's just week 1 (the next week saw more FCS upsets). Anyone who thinks week 1 games against FCS are a "gimme" doesn't pay attention.

You'll note I wasn't a flippant jerk. I gave reasons why Central Arkansas is a better football team than the "FCS" label will lead less informed people to believe. I can add to it - good FCS teams almost always have a few undersized skill players who can cause issues. If they have a solid QB to go with it, they can put up crazy numbers. Some schools also have surprising beef on the line which limits the late game pull-away FBS teams often enjoy, Central Arkansas's entire O-line is likely to be over 300 lbs next year. While most of their players were "passed over" by FBS schools, they have a few that we'd welcome on our roster...and they are all playing with nothing to lose.

So I appreciate your bravado. We SHOULD win, we very probably will win, and I damn sure want us to win. But I stand by my comment that I hope our coaches don't take the game as lightly as you do.

 

[lawpoke87]

I would much more worried if Central Arkansas wasn't breaking in a new QB. Inexperienced QB combined with lesser talent across the board should equate to a fairly comfortable TU victory. Traditionally good FCS teams with experienced and accomplished QBs is what worries me.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

I didn’t mean we should/would overlook them... after last season, we can’t afford to overlook anyone. I just meant that if we make the improvements we should in the offseason, we should have the opportunity for a bowl game next year. That starts with coming out and putting our foot on the throat of a lesser opponent and not letting up.

 

[Raisin_Cane]

I don't care what classification we are playing, if they can throw against our defense, and we cannot throw and respond, it will not be a contest. Next year's Oline is going to be quite a bit different.

Not that different... Chandler Miller, Tyler Bowling, Willie Wright, and Waahid Muhammad return as starters this season. Plagg and Uhles are the only graduates. It’s the 2019 line that should look significantly different.

 

[canefan4ever]

This is just my opinion and worth what you pay for it.
I do not really care a lot about the star system and do realize that nothing is truly known until a young man plays a down of football. That being said, when you are recruiting against the guys that ACU, Texas State, North Texas, Central Arkansas, etc... then that is the caliber of player you are more likely to have and the teams you are going to compete with. You will hit a diamond once in a while but as a whole the Top 25 teams recruit different players and compete for a reason. Again, just my opinion.

I know I haven't posted in 5 years but...

 

[TU_BLA]

I don't care what classification we are playing, if they can throw against our defense, and we cannot throw and respond, it will not be a contest. Next year's Oline is going to be quite a bit different.

Next year's OL might actually be better than this year...not saying it won't take a game or two to find a rhythm but with Miller and Bowling back as well as Wright and what I would expect would be Bucktrot /Biven/Waahid stepping into the open OG and OT spots left by Uhles and Plagg. Remember Waahid started 2-3 games for Plagg last year and played quite well. Monty and Bloesch have done a really good job of stocking that OL with some really quality players. Our success next year will begin and end with QB improvement. I expect the DBs to be the strongest group followed by OL, RBs, WRs, DL.

 

[TU_BLA]

I would much more worried if Central Arkansas wasn't breaking in a new QB. Inexperienced QB combined with lesser talent across the board should equate to a fairly comfortable TU victory. Traditionally good FCS teams with experienced and accomplished QBs is what worries me.

It's not like UCA has Carson Wentz.

 

[noble cane]

It's not like UCA has Carson Wentz.

Neither do we, he isn’t on the horizon, and I think that’s the problem.

 

[lawpoke87]

Receivers need to play better. The last thing a struggling QB needs are drops and poor routes by the wideouts. I think we will be surprised how much better Skipper looks with only average play from the receiver group.