Next Game A Big One For Tulsa As It Travels To Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE - This is not just another football week for Tulsa.

Yes, Arkansas is the next game on the schedule. Sure, the Golden Hurricane have succeeded this season living by that trite and true football adage that every game mattering as much as the next.

That is true to a point this week for undefeated Tulsa (8-0). A victory this week would surely improve the program's standing - literally and figuratively.

Arkansas (3-5) has struggled this season, but is a member of the Southeastern Conference. And the SEC, of course, is a BCS-affiliated conference, so winning at Reynolds Razorback Stadium would go a long way in validating what the Golden Hurricane have accomplished so far this season.

"It's the biggest game because it's the next game, but obviously it's big because it's an SEC opponent and BCS school," Tulsa quarterback David Johnson said. "... [Arkansas] is a big test. It's the most hostile environment we've played in so far. We understand that. And we understand what this game could mean."

Tulsa, off to its best start since 1966, leads the country in scoring and total offense. So far the Golden Hurricane are averaging 55 points and 600 yards per game, but have done it against Conference USA and lower-tier opposition.

Each year a non-BCS team rises up and stakes its claim to elite football status. This season Tulsa, ranked No. 18, is joined in the BCS Standings by No 10 Utah, No. 13 TCU and No. 16 Ball State.

It's a similar scenario to the one Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino faced while at Louisville. Petrino guided the Cardinals to a 41-9 record over five seasons, including an Orange Bowl victory in his final season.

Tulsa needs to win out to keep its BCS hopes alive.

"The opportunity is out there, but you basically have to go undefeated to have a chance," Petrino said.

Voters were slow to embrace Tulsa because of a schedule that has included winless North Texas and Central Arkansas, formerly of Division I-AA. Arkansas might struggle, but they are generally regarded as a competitive program in a traditionally strong conference.

"A lot of teams will be watching this game to see if Tulsa is for real," Tulsa fullback Charles Clay said. "A lot of people say we haven't played anybody yet. It's a good test for us."

Tulsa has rarely been tested this season, outscoring its opponents by nearly 30 points per game. Both the Golden Hurricane running and passing components of the offense rank in the top 10 nationally, thanks to a quick-striking, no-huddle Spread attack.

Johnson has been superb in running the offense. He's completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 332.6 yards per game with 32 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

There are plenty of options for Johnson to utilize in the offense, overseen by former Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. Johnson has completed passes to 14 different players.

Tailback Tarrian Adams leads the team in rushing with 660 yards and 5 touchdowns. Brennan Marion has 827 yards and 7 touchdowns on 31 catches.

Native Arkansans like Clay and receivers A.J. Whitmore and Slick Shelley have been a big part of the success. Clay, who has also played some defense, accounts for nearly 50 all-purpose yards per game.

Whitmore, who lines up in the Wildcat formation at times, has seven touchdowns as a quarterback, runner and receiver. Shelley is second on the team in touchdown receptions (6) and has 25 catches for 457 yards.

All that offense has added up to give Tulsa its best start in nearly seven decades. Now the trick is to keep it going.

"We're really blessed to be where we are," Tulsa Coach Todd Graham said. "It's an exciting time. We're just scratching the surface on what we can do. We're really proud of that. We just have to keep our head down and focus on nothing but the next one."

That ‘next one' is a big one for the Golden Hurricane.