Tulsa looks to bounce back from a 2-10 campaign in 2017, as the Golden Hurricane saw five losses come in the final minute of the game, including two setbacks on field goals as time expired. Tulsa has reached double digits in wins five times in the last 11 years.

After entering last season without a quarterback who had started a collegiate game, Tulsa comes into 2018 with quarterbacks Chad President and Luke Skipper, who started six games each in 2017. Running back Shamari Brooks rushed for a team-high 10 touchdowns with 687 yards despite missing three games due to injury, while wide receiver Justin Hobbs earned second team all-conference honors last season after he had 55 receptions for 830 yards and three touchdowns. Center Chandler Miller and guard Tyler Bowling are both two-time all-conference selections who have been fixtures on the Golden Hurricane offensive line.

Defensively, safety McKinkey Whitfield, who had a team-high 113 tackles last year, leads a group of seven returning defensive starters. Linebacker Cooper Edmiston had 106 tackles last season, giving Tulsa a pair of 100-tackle performers who return in 2018. Tulsa has 15 of its top 20 tacklers returning from last year, which should lead to improved numbers on the defensive side. The Golden Hurricane allowed 37.5 points and 528.9 yards per game last season.