FACTS & STATS: Site: H. A. Chapman Stadium (35,542) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma. Television: None. Home Record: UAB 0-0, Tulsa 1-1. Away Record: UAB 0-0, Tulsa 0-1. Neutral Record: UAB 0-0, Tulsa 0-0. Conference Record: UAB 0-0, Tulsa 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: Two teams will open their Conference-USA schedule this Saturday evening, when the Tulsa Golden Hurricane host the UAB Blazers from H.A. Chapman Stadium. After opening the season with two straight losses, the Blazers finally got in the win column with a convincing, 22-0 victory over Alcorn State back on September 15th. Next up for the Blazers will be a road matchup against Mississippi State, followed by two straight home contests. As for the Golden Hurricane, they are coming off their first setback of the season, falling to Oklahoma 62-21. This is the third consecutive season the Golden Hurricane will open their conference schedule at home. Tulsa was victorious in its opener in the previous two years. This will be the 1,000th game in the history of Tulsa football. Up to this point, Tulsa has accumulated a 543-429-27 record in 108 years. This will be the first-ever meeting between Tulsa and UAB on the gridiron.

After three games it is apparent the Blazers do not possess an overpowering offense. UAB is producing a meager 21.3 ppg, while averaging just 301 total ypg. The ground game has been inconsistent, as the team is posting just 114 ypg. However, in the recent win over Alcorn State, the Blazers put forth their best performance on the ground, churning out a whopping 211 yards on 45 carries. Brandon Thornton led the way with 89 yards on 21 totes, while Jim Mitchell added 76 yards on 12 carries. Unfortunately, the Blazers did not have the same success with their passing attack, as Sam Hunt threw for just 88 yards and one touchdown. The QB completed just 7-of-16 passes and also tossed an interception. Hunt has been ineffective on the season, completing just 50 percent of his passes. The signal-caller has thrown three touchdowns, but has also tossed two INTs.

The Blazers defense has been atrocious thus far, as the team is surrendering 448.7 total yards per contest, while allowing a whopping 29.7 ppg. In the recent victory over Alcorn State the Blazers had their best defensive performance of the season, holding the Braves to just 233 total yards of offense. The unit was extremely impressive against the run, holding Alcorn State to just 96 yards on 29 carries (2.3 ypc). It was a shocking performance especially considering the team has been abused for 194 rushing ypg. The defense was able to force two turnovers in the contest and also grabbed three sacks. Overall the unit surrendered 11 first downs and held Alcorn State to just 3-of-13 on third down attempts. Will Dunbar had a sensational contest, grabbing 11 tackles to go along with an interception as well. Dunbar now has a team-best 28 stops on the year and two interceptions.

The Golden Hurricane possess one of the more lopsided offensive attacks in the country, as the team is producing 383.7 ypg through the air, while rushing for just 121.7 ypg. In the recent setback to Oklahoma the Golden Hurricane continued to shine with its aerial assault, as the team threw for 354 yards. Paul Smith threw for 350 yards and two touchdowns, but also tossed two interceptions and was sacked five times. Smith has been outstanding thus far for the Golden Hurricane, as the signal-caller has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 1,111 yards. In three games, the QB has tossed 10 touchdowns against just four INTs. Charles Clay and Jesse Meyer have been the top two targets for Smith. Clay is leading the squad with 16 receptions for 260 yards and three touchdowns, while Meyer has collected 10 passes for 167 yards and one score. Against the Sooners, Meyer led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 114 yards and one score. As for Clay, he caught five passes in the loss for just 70 yards.

Tulsa has been terrible on defense in the early stages of the season, and heads into this matchup surrendering 42 ppg. The unit has been abused on the ground, as well as through the air, allowing 218 rushing ypg, while being torched for 290.3 ypg via the pass. In the recent setback to Oklahoma, the Golden Hurricane were dismantled, surrendering 553 total yards, including an eye-popping 285 rushing yards. The unit was unable to make many big plays, finishing the game with one turnover and zero sacks. At the same time the unit was unable to stop the Sooners from driving down the field, as Oklahoma converted 8-of-13 third down attempts and 4-of-6 red zone chances. Chris Chamberlain was extremely busy in the setback, making 11 tackles.

Neither team has played well defensively, but the Golden Hurricane have been solid at the other end of the field. Expect Smith and the Tulsa passing attack to abuse UAB for the third win of the season for the Golden Hurricane.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 41, UAB 21