Tulsa

The Golden Hurricane's offseason centers on whether a nearly even portal exchange can jumpstart an offense that ranked 114th nationally. Tulsa's -6.7 JP+ rating places them 105th heading into 2026, with that offensive unit dragging down a defense that grades out respectably at 97th nationally. They lost tight end Brody Foley (29.4 PPA) to Louisville and receiver Zion Steptoe (15.7 PPA) to Minnesota, but added Oregon State receiver David Wells Jr. (20.8 PPA) and Old Dominion running back Trequan Jones (19.7 PPA) to complement returning starter Baylor Hayes at quarterback.

JP+ projects 6.1 wins for Tulsa in a schedule that features brutal road tests at Navy, Arkansas, and UTSA but offers home opportunities against Charlotte and East Texas A&M. The gap between projection and what could be a bowl-eligible season hinges entirely on whether the new skill position talent can elevate an offense that managed just four wins in 2025. If Hayes develops chemistry quickly with Wells and Jones provides the ground game balance this attack lacked, six or seven wins becomes realistic. If the offensive struggles persist, another sub-.500 campaign awaits in the American Athletic Conference.