FACTS & STATS: Site: H.A. Chapman Stadium (35,542) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma. Television: Local. Home Record: SMU 1-3, Tulsa 3-1. Away Record: SMU 0-3, Tulsa 1-2. Neutral Record: SMU 0-0, Tulsa 0-0. Conference Record: SMU 0-3, Tulsa 2-2. Series Record: SMU leads, 10-4.

GAME NOTES: The SMU Mustangs will try to snap a string of five straight losses this weekend, as they invade H.A. Chapman Stadium to do battle with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in Conference USA play. It has been a tough season for the Mustangs, as they have won just one of their first seven games. The team has dropped each of its past five outings, including a 41-34 overtime setback to Tulane this past weekend. It was the second overtime game in the past three contests for the Ponies, who are still in search of their first C-USA win (0-3) of the season. As for Tulsa, it also come into the contest on a down note, dropping a 44-23 decision at UCF this past weekend. The loss was the second in the team's last three games, as it dipped to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in league play. The Hurricane however, now head back home, where it has gone a solid 3-1 thus far. With regard to the all-time series, SMU owns a 10-4 edge of Tulsa, including a 34-24 triumph in last season's meeting.

The Mustangs have turned the ball over 18 times already and that has really hurt their offense, which is still producing a solid 25.0 ppg behind 400.6 total ypg. Last weekend, SMU committed two turnovers, including one in overtime which sealed the win for Tulane. The miscues ruined an otherwise solid performance by the Ponies, who racked up 438 yards of total offense. Justin Willis threw an interception and lost a fumble in overtime, but other than that he was effective for the Mustangs. Willis completed 28-of-36 pass attempts for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Willis has just about done it all for SMU this season, although he has thrown for 10 interceptions. Still, he has completed 60.2 percent of his throws for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, in addition to leading the team with 383 rushing yards. Emmanuel Sanders and Zack Sledge have formed a solid tandem in the passing game and they have accounted for 75 catches, 1,019 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. In last weekend's overtime loss, Sanders pulled down eight balls for 155 yards and two touchdowns, while Sledge finished with five catches for 63 yards and a score.

Defensively, the Mustangs have been simply dreadful this season, allowing a whopping 37.6 ppg and 489.4 total ypg. The team has had next to no success against the run (194.6 ypg) or pass (294.9 ypg), and it is also allowing opposing teams to convert 50.0 percent of the time on third downs. Last weekend, SMU was abused by Tulane for 521 total yards, including 361 on the ground. The unit gave up five rushing touchdown and is has now surrendered 20 scores on the ground this season. The defense did record three sacks in the game and that is a positive considering the Ponies had made just 10 sacks through the first six games. Bryce Hudman paced the team in defeat with eight tackles, giving him a club-best 67 stops for the year.

Tulsa owns one of the top offenses in the nation, as it is averaging a hardy 36.7 ppg behind an equally impressive 545.1 total ypg. The unit has done well to run for 174.0 ypg, but it has thrived through the air, passing for an eye- popping 371.1 ypg. Last weekend, though, the Hurricane's offense was shutdown by UCF, as it gained just 379 total yards in a 44-23 loss. Quarterback Paul Smith threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns, but he was also guilty of four interceptions. Smith has struggled with interceptions (12) this season, but he is still one of the premier quarterbacks in C-USA. For the year, he has completed 61.5 percent of his throws for 2,528 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also has a team-high six rushing touchdowns to his credit. Smith has done a nice job spreading out the ball, but Trae Johnson appears to be his go-to-guy. Johnson, who caught seven balls for 73 yards and a score last weekend, leads the team with 32 catches, 529 receiving yards and five touchdowns for the year. As for the ground game, it is paced by Tarrion Adams, who has rushed for 701 yards and four touchdowns. He is averaging a 5.9 yards per carry and he also has 19 catches to his name.

The Hurricane, much like its opponent, has been awful on the defensive side of the ball this season, surrendering a ridiculously high 39.9 ppg and 485.0 total ypg. The defense has been abused on the ground (206.7 ypg) and through the air (278.3 ypg) and has forced a mere 10 turnovers thus far. Last weekend, Tulsa was torched for 453 total yards, including 229 via the run, in a loss to UCF. The unit gave up four rushing touchdowns in the game and allowed UCF to convert on 21-of-29 pass attempts. Chris Chamberlain finished with 11 tackles in the loss and he leads the team with 76 stops for the season.

With these two defenses going head-to-head this weekend, expect a lot of scoring from both teams. Tulsa has the edge playing at home and behind the accurate arm of Smith, it should come out on top in a shootout.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 45, SMU 32