FACTS & STATS: Site: Bright House Network Stadium (45,323) -- Orlando, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: Tulsa 3-1, UCF 2-1. Away Record: Tulsa 1-1, UCF 1-2. Neutral Record: Tulsa 0-0, UCF 0-0. Conference Record: Tulsa 2-1, UCF 1-1. Series Record: Tulsa leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: A Conference-USA battle will take place this Saturday afternoon at Bright House Network Stadium, when the UCF Knights host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Tulsa was able to push its record to 4-2 this past weekend with a hard-fought, 38-31 victory over Marshall. Next up for the Golden Hurricane will be a home matchup with SMU, followed by a road contest against Tulane. As for the Knights, they have dropped two straight contests since starting the season with a 3-1 mark. The most recent loss came this past weekend as the team was embarrassed, 64-12 by now second-ranked USF. Since playing for the C- USA title back in 2005 the Knights have struggled in league action, posting a meager 4-6 ledger, and that includes the team's 1-1 record this season. It does not get any easier for UCF as the team will be on the road for three of its next four games. This will be only the second matchup between Tulsa and UCF on the gridiron. The only other meeting took place in the championship of the 2005 Conference-USA title, and the win went to Tulsa by a count of 44-27.

Coming into this matchup the Golden Hurricane have the second most dangerous offense in the entire nation, as the team is producing an amazing 572.8 ypg. The team has dominated opponents on the ground, as well as through the air, rushing for 193.2 ypg, while also throwing for 379.7 ypg. The success continued this past weekend, as the unit abused Marshall for 578 total yards. The ground game, which collected 193 yards, was led by Tarrion Adams, who rumbled for 134 yards and one touchdown on just 15 carries (8.9 ypc). Adams has been sensational for Tulsa all year and now has 654 yards and four touchdowns in just six games. Not to be outdone was the passing attack for Tulsa, as quarterback Paul Smith completed 24-of-39 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns. Smith has been one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the Conference-USA and heads into this weekend with 2,212 passing yards and 18 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. Trae Johnson and Charles Clay have been the top two targets for Smith, as the two receivers have 25 catches apiece. Johnson has accumulated 456 yards and four TDs on the year, while Clay has racked up 385 yards and three scores.

Unfortunately the defense for Tulsa has had a terrible season thus far, as the unit is being abused for 39.2 ppg. The Golden Hurricane have found it hard to stop the run, and pass, as teams are churning out 203.0 ypg on the ground, while throwing for another 287.3 ypg. In the recent victory over Marshall the defense struggled once again, allowing the Thundering Herd to collect 184 yards on the ground, and another 260 yards via the pass. Tulsa did not force one turnover in the contest, but did finish the game with four sacks. Both areas have been weak spots for the Golden Hurricane, as the team has recorded just nine turnovers and only 11 sacks in six games. The defense has also struggled inside its own red zone, allowing the opposition to convert on 24- of-29 chances inside the 20-yard line. Alain Karatepeyan has been terrific for this defense on the season, and comes into this game with team-highs in TFLs (9.5) and sacks (3).

The Knights were completely dominated this weekend by the Bulls, as the team was held to just 12 points on 145 total yards of offense. UCF was held to only 84 passing yards, and an even more astonishing 61 yards via the run. The struggles on the ground are extremely surprising, especially since UCF is producing over 200 ypg with its rushing attack. Kevin Smith, who has rushed for 915 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season, was held to just 55 yards on 18 carries in the loss to USF (3.1 ypc). Kyle Israel was atrocious in the setback, as the quarterback completed just 5-of-11 passes for only 13 yards and one interception. Michael Greco also saw time under center, but he was also ineffective, throwing for just 71 yards on 6-of-16 passing. Israel has been the main signal-caller for UCF this season and this was clearly his worst performance of the year. On the season, Israel has thrown for 843 yards and five touchdowns against four interceptions.

Unfortunately the UCF defense was just as pathetic in the loss, as the unit yielded a whopping 543 total yards, which included 365 yards through the air. Throughout the season the Golden Knights have struggled against the pass, allowing opponents to average 238.8 passing ypg. Overall the defense is surrendering 395.8 total ypg and that has led to a whopping 35.5 ppg. The defense has forced only five turnovers on the season and after six games has recorded just 12 sacks. The team once again had trouble in both areas this past weekend, as the team finished with zero turnovers and one sack. In the loss to USF, the defense also allowed the Bulls to convert on all eight of their red zone chances. After that terrible effort, the Knights have allowed the opposition to convert on 87 percent of their red zone opportunities.

Considering how poorly the Knights have played defensively, the Golden Hurricane should have no trouble finding the end zone early and often. Expect Tulsa to dismantle UCF en route to another conference win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 45, UCF 31