By BILL HAISTEN Sports Writer on Oct 15, 2012, at 7:46 AM Updated on 10/15 at 7:46 AM
TU SPORTS
Thanks to TU media-relations director Don Tomkalski for providing a comprehensive report from the university's Golden Cane ...
In advance of the 2012 football opener at Ames, the University of Tulsa was a 1½-point favorite over Iowa State.
The ...
No University of Tulsa players were selected during the three-day, seven-round NFL draft, but three Golden Hurricane seniors ...
Saturday’s Rice game (2:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net) is played on the University of Tulsa’s home turf.
For the seventh time in as many games, the Hurricane is favored (this time by 21 points).
The Owls are 2-5 overall, 0-3 in Conference USA.
In their last nine meetings with TU, the Owls are 1-8.
On paper, Rice-TU seems to be a mismatch. It appears to possibly be the easiest game remaining on the Hurricane schedule. After the Rice assignment, there is an open date. The Hurricane does not play on Oct. 27, so the players are about to get their first real break since late July.
You think TU players might be looking forward to that break? Is it possible that players could be as focused on their upcoming mini-vacation as they are on preparation for Rice?
For all of the reasons listed, the Rice assignment qualifies as a trap game for TU.
The Hurricane absolutely has a deeper roster and more playmakers, but Rice is not inept. The Owls did travel to Kansas and defeat the Jayhawks (the same Jayhawks who last week pushed Oklahoma State to the brink before losing only 20-14).
It’s not a challenge for the Tulsa coaches to motivate their players before facing quality opponents like Iowa State, Fresno State, UCF and Houston. To avoid a win-streak-ending misstep this week, Tulsa must be just as motivated for Rice.
-- Bill Haisten
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