By JOHN KLEIN Sr. Sports Columnist on Nov 29, 2012, at 2:20 PM Updated on 11/29 at 2:20 PM
KLEIN'S KORNER
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Tulsa’s huge athletic challenges, an NCAA probe into alleged gambling by the athletic director and a crumbling conference affiliation, can be balanced by a healthy and prosperous football program.
In an era when collegiate conference realignment is being driven by market size and football, Tulsa would appear to be a good spot.
The market size is acceptable, perhaps even a bonus, in some conferences that TU might seek or if it chooses to stay in Conference USA.
But, the biggest factor in favor of Tulsa during all of this conferences shakeup is the shape of TU football.
The Golden Hurricane has one of the best football programs outside of the BCS conferences.
Tulsa plays UCF for the Conference USA title on Saturday at Chapman Stadium.
The Hurricane has won 27 games in the last three years.
If Tulsa beats UCF, the Golden Hurricane will reach 10 or more victories for the fourth time in the last six years.
In other words, TU football is flourishing in its current environment.
When Tulsa talks about the athletic program at TU, it can sell excellence on a lot of levels. TU has won more C-USA titles in all sports since it joined the conference than any other league member.
However, most important to leagues, Tulsa can point to a football program that has become one of the most powerful non-BCS league teams in the country.
Since coach Steve Kragthorpe came to Tulsa in 2003, the Hurricane has eight winning seasons in 10 years.
Regardless of the outcome in the C-USA title game, Tulsa will be going to its eighth bowl since 2003 later this season.
With all of the questions and challenges facing Tulsa, football remains a rock solid foundation for TU athletics.
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