Tulsa at Sam Houston - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Sam Houston Bearkats

Sam Houston logo
Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Bowers Stadium - Huntsville, TX

 
Golden Hurricane (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tre Lamb (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 23 - 29 (19 - 31 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.8 - 5.2 (#57)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 5) (Bad: 5)
Our Line: Tulsa -17  (SP+ TLSA -18.5)
Projected Score: TLSA: 36 - SHSU: 19 (54)
TLSA Win prob: 90% | Cover: 52%
TLSA Travel: 376 miles
Bearkats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Phil Longo (2 - 10)
Avg Score : 18 - 38 (18 - 38 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0.1 - 1.9 (#136)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
 
Tulsa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Tulsa vs Oklahoma State+7
Sat 9/12Tulsa at Sam Houston-17
Sat 9/19Tulsa vs East Texas A&M-20
Sat 9/26Tulsa at Arkansas+8
Thu 10/1Tulsa vs North Texas-6.5
Sat 10/10Tulsa at Navy+5.5
Sat 10/17Tulsa at Rice-10
Fri 10/23Tulsa vs Army-1
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Tulsa at Tulane+3
Sat 11/14Tulsa vs Florida Atlantic-6
Sat 11/21Tulsa vs Charlotte-24.5
Sat 11/28Tulsa at UTSA+5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 5, Bad 1, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 5, Bad 1, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Tulsa's Schedule
Sam Houston's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/12Sam Houston vs Tulsa+17
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/26Sam Houston at Texas Tech+37

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Sam Houston's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
TLSA#105 (.11)40% (97)23.242% (88)2.87 (79)17638% (105)2233.34 (106)#60 (.15)43% (81)28.942% (65)44% (100)3.78 (77)38.21.60.9
SHSU#131 (.01)37% (120)17.840% (104)2.67 (117)13335% (127)1842.79 (129)#109 (.22)48% (129)37.847% (115)50% (134)3.85 (86)59.41.31.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
TLSA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
SHSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TLSA Offense1223.21940.4%3.341.6223991762234.451%47%42%38%17%.11
SHSU Defense1237.837.847.8%3.851.5 - - - - - 51%47%47%50%14%.22
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TLSA Defense1228.930.742.5%3.780.9 - - - - - 56%43%42%44%13%.15
SHSU Offense1217.817.836.9%2.791.3173171331844.343%55%40%35%20%.01

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Tulsa1228:3322.238%57%5.138.21.60.95.31.9027.4
Sam Houston1228:3016.722%30%6.459.41.31.55.31.8326.8
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
TLSA Offense1251% (56)42% (88)40.41764.418 (107).05 (101)2.87 (79)60% (127)11% (111)1.03 (47)
SHSU Defense1251% (79)47% (115) - - - - .15 (95)2.89 (72)68% (44)10% (62)0.96 (72)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
TLSA Defense1256% (127)42% (65) - - - - .06 (47)2.92 (76)67% (36)9% (99)0.94 (58)
SHSU Offense1243% (116)40% (104)30.8132.84.310 (122).07 (94)2.67 (117)66% (104)13% (128)1.09 (20)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TLSA Offense1247% (82)38% (105)20.134.1222.56.511.115 (86)10 (108).15 (114)1.5 (104)32% (80)28% (89).26 (87)6% (78)1.9 (106)
SHSU Defense1247% (58)50% (134) - - - - - - 8 (100).36 (116)1.5 (51)27% (130)35% (125).17 (21)5% (114)1.8 (12)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TLSA Defense1243% (14)44% (100) - - - - - - 7 (55).28 (84)1.5 (52)29% (115)31% (92).28 (65)4% (131)1.8 (15)
SHSU Offense1255% (19)35% (127)17.832.41845.710.412 (103)10 (60).01 (133)1.4 (130)35% (123)22% (134).01 (135)7% (105)2 (63)

Tulsa's Power Ratings
Tulsa's Power Rating: 0.76  #63
Tulsa's Offense Rating: 16.85  #53
Tulsa's Defense Rating: 16.08  #75
2026 Talent Rating: 570.00  #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #104
Tulsa's 2026 Expected Record: 6.8 - 5.2
Tulsa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -7.6  #96
Tulsa's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.5  #91
Tulsa's Defense SP+ Rating: 31.7  #103

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 513
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Power Ratings Matchup
Tulsa: 0.76   Sam Houston: -20.28

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Tulsa: -7.6   Sam Houston: -26.3




Sam Houston's Power Ratings
Sam Houston's Power Rating: -20.28  #134
Sam Houston's Offense Rating: 4.63  #135
Sam Houston's Defense Rating: 23.89  #127
2026 Talent Rating: 453.00  #114
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #104
Sam Houston's 2026 Expected Record: 0.1 - 1.9
Sam Houston's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -26.3  #136
Sam Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 14.1  #131
Sam Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 40.0  #135

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 435.82
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28


Tulsa Scoring
Offense: 23.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 19
Defense: 28.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 30.7

Tulsa's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Tulsa 36
Sam Houston 19


Projected Total Points: 54
Sam Houston Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 17.8
Defense: 37.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 37.8

Sam Houston's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
200909/26Tulsa56Sam Houston3
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Sam Houston000 Overs
Tulsa100 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#63) TLSA at (#134) SHSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatTLSASHSU
Game ControlGC #97 #134
Momentum ControlMC #52 #131
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #63 #134
SP+SP+ #96 #136
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #89 #114
Blue ChipsBC% #104 #104
Tulsa Notes
(2/27) Vibes: Should be sky high. Could challenge AAC?
(2/28) QB Hayes played OK as Fr, gunslinger & can move
(2/28) CB Elijah Green is a 6'4 star, AA & great retain
(2/28) Easiest SOS in AAC, but OOC vs Ok St & Ark
(2/27) Year 2 of Tre Lamb, I'm a believer, big year
(2/27) RB 4 adds, really good, Jones (ODU) a weapon
(2/27) WR 2 productive portals and LY depth back. Good
(2/27) OL 6 have starting exp, could really improve TY
(2/27) DL meh, 5 have good exp. Prod was below avg
(2/27) Def back 7 looks really good. Solid secondary
Tulsa Injury Report
Tulsa on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
TLSA OffSHSU Def
Game ControlGC #79 #135
Momentum ControlMC #57 #131
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #97 #129
ExplosiveExp #59 #59
PPAPPA #105 #109
PowerPwr #53 #127
SP+SP+ #91 #135
Pts POPPO #106 #86
HavocHav #104 #100
Tulsa Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
TLSA OffSHSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #88 #115
Run ExplRExp #47 #72
PPAExp #101 #95
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #79 #72
Stuff RateStuff #125 #97
TackleTak - NR
Tulsa Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
TLSA OffSHSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #105 #134
Pass ExplPExl #104 #51
PPAExp #114 #116
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #111 #62
DB HavocDB #78 #114
Sam Houston on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatSHSU OffTLSA Def
Game ControlGC #126 #103
Momentum ControlMC #104 #42
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #120 #81
ExplosiveExp #69 #44
PPAPPA #131 #60
PowerPwr #135 #75
SP+SP+ #131 #103
Pts POPPO #129 #77
HavocHav #132 #121
Sam Houston Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
SHSU OffTLSA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #104 #65
Run ExplRExp #20 #58
PPAExp #94 #47
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #117 #76
Stuff RateStuff #131 #76
TackleTak - NR
Sam Houston Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatSHSU OffTLSA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #127 #100
Pass ExplPExl #130 #52
PPAExp #133 #84
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #128 #99
DB HavocDB #105 #131
Program Comparison
SHSU 5 Year Profile: Improving Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

TLSA 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Bowers Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
TLSA's OC Ty Darlington (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Baylor Hayes18631659%21591266.8
Dexter Williams II (Tr)6712554%787636.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Trequan Jones (Tr)10579267.593
DJ McKinney (Tr)11146474.254
Baylor Hayes9518832.024
Dexter Williams II (Tr)4115333.716
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Ross (Tr)50603312.179
David Wells Jr. (Tr)44466410.656
Grayson Tempest22272112.451
Josh Smith9201122.343

View Tulsa's Full Roster

TLSA's DC Mike Gray (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Devin Hightower (Tr)813120
Zach Williams731007
William Alexander661010
Elijah Green592007
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Thomas Davis (Tr)256320
Devin Hightower (Tr)813120
Dax Collins101100
Tai Newhouse392110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Williams731007
Elijah Green592007
Caldra Williford (Tr)161004

SHSU's OC Zack Patterson (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Landyn Locke7114150%765445.4
DJ Bailey2367%420014.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Landan Brown8448755.863
Alijah Cason51002.012
Jerrian Parker5000.02
Shane Porter2-10-0.54
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Reed30460515.354
Grady O'Neill38392110.329
Kamari Maxwell22363416.545
Alijah Cason22244211.144

View Sam Houston's Full Roster

SHSU's DC Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Bailey451102
Dylan Frazier414222
Dean Ford326220
Chauncey Chidi314300
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chauncey Chidi314300
Dean Ford326220
Dylan Frazier414222
She'Fon Boyd82110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Bailey451102
Dylan Frazier414222
Ca'lub Holloway291152