Hey Top 25: Why Not Tulsa?

Warning: This is not an article about how certain teams get screwed out of the top spot every year and how certain people are tired of it. This is not an article pleading to get rid of the BCS. This is just an article throwing out a question: Why not Tulsa?

To understand the excitement that surrounds this football program, you will have to go back a few years to comprehend the absolute horror that loyal Tulsa Golden Hurricane fans had to witness.

Before former Head Coach Steve Kragthorpe revitalized the program, the football program was a dismal tragedy every year. There was a stretch where the program was 2-21. 

The recent hire of Todd Graham and Offensive genius Gus Malzahn have brought an excitement to Tulsa that hasn't been seen since 1991.

The exictement is well-deserved. Tulsa leads the country in many offensive statistics including average points per game (52.3), the Golden Hurricane also have the most efficient quarterback in the country, David Johnson. They are seventh in the country in rushing yard-per-game (258) and sixth in the country in passing yards-per-game (339).

They average 27.7 first downs per game, which means they are not just getting lucky with big plays every game, they are exploiting defenses like Fannie Mae is the United States government. 

The opposition's argument will go like this: So okay, Tulsa has a great offense, what's your point? They have one of the worst defenses in the country. My response: Who needs a defense if the other team can't score more points than you?

Seriously, how does Texas Tech stay competitive in the Big XII South?

They score more points than the other team and hope the other team's offense messes up once.

It is a pretty easy concept. I am not implying that defense isn't important, because I do agree that defense wins championships, but offense wins games more times than not, and I don't see Tulsa competing for National Championships anytime soon.

How can a team that is 6-0 not be ranked with teams like the Ball State Cardinals ahead of them in the polls? Is it because they are in Conference USA?

Maybe, but you can't penalize a team for playing the schedule that was given to you. They have taken care of their non-conference foes (the North Texas Mean Green, New Mexico Lobos, and Central Arkansas Bears) and are 3-0 in conference play, beating a explosive Rice Owl team 63-28.

Let's take Tulsa and compare them to Ball State.

Both teams are in sub-par conferences with weak league play. Ball State's non-conference play included the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who just entered Division-I football, the Indiana Hoosiers, Northeastern Huskies, and the Navy Midshipmen.

They are averaging 455.6 ypg compared to Tulsa's 597 ypg. Ball State's scoring margin is 22 while Tulsa's is 27.3. I am not arguing that Ball State should not be ranked, but Tulsa should in the top 25 if Ball State is there. 

Perfection is a hard accomplishment to reach, no matter what conference you are in. You have to stay alert week in and week out.

It is only halfway through the season, but if Tulsa continues at this pace I don't see them losing any more games.

I am not writing this article mad at all the AP voters because Tulsa isn't ranked high enough, I am just asking that you give credit to a team who is perfect seven weeks in to the season.