Michigan State Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs into the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 04: Willie Wright #58 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane celebrates with Corey Taylor II #24 after a rushing touchdown in the second half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Tulsa may have some lofty goals for the 2019 season, including backup running back Corey Taylor II making a statement, saying that he expects himself and Shamari Brooks to average over 200 yards per game combined. But he’ll have to aim for that quest for 200 starts in Week 2 against San Jose State.

The Golden Hurricane are coming off a 3-9 season (Spartan fans cringe when they hear that record) but they did put up a decent fight against Texas last year, losing by only a touchdown in Austin. Should that have the Spartans worried? Possibly, but the fact that Tulsa doesn’t even know who its starting quarterback will be yet is a good sign.

Brooks and Taylor II are the only true constants on offense along with Keylon Stokes at receiver and the Golden Hurricane defense is horrid against the run.

Tulsa did have the eighth-best pass defense in the nation last year, but there’s only one returning starter in the defensive backfield, not including the nickel back. The strength of the defense may no longer be an actual strength, but more on the average end of the spectrum.

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