Tulsa leads the pack in remade Conference USA

[Harry]

Returning starters: 10 (7 offense, 3 defense).

Five players to watch: QB Cody Green, RB Trey Watts, OT Garrett Stafford, LB Shawn Jackson, S Marco Nelson.

Spring questions:

1. How much of a concern are the losses? Tulsa does return only 10 starters, one of the lowest totals of any team in college football. Perhaps on a different team, in a different conference, this would be an overriding concern. It doesn't seem as troublesome to Tulsa and coach Bill Blankenship, who have experienced similar roster turnover in the recent past yet remained among Conference USA's elite upper slice. Remaining in that spot in 2013 will merely take some fine-tuning over the next 15 practices.

2. Is this Cody Green's team? The former Nebraska transfer had his moments last fall, his first as Tulsa's starting quarterback, but his bouts with inconsistency prevented the passing game from reaching its full potential during Conference USA play. It's expected that Green will largely put those troubles behind him in 2013. Beyond his on-field play, however, has Green become the unquestioned leader this offense needs from its quarterback? With a younger and less experienced team taking the field in August, Tulsa desperately needs players like Green to take on a leadership role on and off the field.

Position battles:

1. Defensive line. Tulsa's front four was a menace on passing downs a year ago, ranking third nationally in sacks and leading the way for a defense that ranked 11th in the FBS in yards per carry. All four starters are gone, unfortunately. To say that the depth chart is wide open would be an understatement. While Brentom Todd, Jack Jewell, Derrick Alexander and Derrick Luetjen might be considered the favorites up front, Tulsa wants to go seven or eight deep in its rotation. Look for this to be the most spirited position battle during both spring drills and fall camp.

read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/03/07/2013-ncaa-spring-football-tulsa/1971965/

[GrayEagle]

Tulsa could be the leading candidate but they're far from a shoo-in. Their strengths last year were running and defense and the defense is gone...especially the defensive line. Only a couple of their top tacklers return.

Their passing was just effective enough to win and their quarterback has never shown the ability to be an above average FBS quarterback. Only the Southern Miss quarterback had a worse rating (in CUSA). The running game is good and returns Watts, a top-notch back. They return three good receivers if Green can get the ball to them. They also return the nucleus of a very good offensive line so they are still fairly potent if their quarterback can step to the plate.

They should still have a decent offense but it's their inexperienced defense that will likely be their Achilles' heel.