FACTS & STATS: Site: H.A. Chapman Stadium (35,542) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma. Television: None. Home Record: Houston 3-1, Tulsa 4-1. Away Record: Houston 3-2, Tulsa 2-2. Neutral Record: Houston 0-0, Tulsa 0-0. Conference Record: Houston 5-1, Tulsa 4-2. Series Record: Houston leads, 17-15.

GAME NOTES: With first place in the West Division of the Conference-USA on the line, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane will host the Houston Cougars this Saturday afternoon at H.A. Chapman Stadium. The Cougars head into this matchup red-hot, winning four consecutive games, including a solid, 38-28 victory over SMU this past weekend. Since the beginning of last season the Cougars have been tremendous in conference action, posting an 11-2 ledger against league foes. After this weekend, the Cougars will close out their season with two straight home games. As for the Golden Hurricane, they have won two consecutive games, including an impressive, 49-25 victory over Tulane this past weekend. Tulsa has been very tough to beat at home, as the team is 4-1 at Chapman Stadium this year. The Cougars hold a slim 17-15 edge over the Golden Hurricane in the all-time series and have won the last two matchups on the gridiron.

The Cougars have been one of the most dangerous offensive units in the entire nation and come into this matchup averaging a whopping 522.0 total ypg, which has led to an equally impressive 37.2 ppg. The team has done a terrific job on the ground, as well as through the air, rushing for an outstanding 236.7 ypg, while throwing for another 285.3 ypg. Houston continued its dominance this past weekend, as the team racked up 552 total yards. The Cougars rumbled for 264 yards on the ground, while Anthony Alridge led the way with 154 yards and two scores on 5.0 ypc. Alridge has been outstanding this year, rushing for 1,217 yards and 11 touchdowns. The passing attack was just as impressive against SMU, as Casey Keenum completed 19-of-27 pass attempts for 264 yards and two touchdowns. His main target was Donnie Avery, who grabbed 10 receptions for 116 yards and one score. Keenum has been solid this year, completing 67 percent of his throws for 1,424 yards. The quarterback has thrown 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the year. As for Avery he has clearly been the most dangerous option for Houston, as the wideout leads the team with 66 receptions, 1,097 yards and six scores.

Defensively the Cougars have done a commendable job, as the unit is surrendering 366.4 total ypg, but that has led to 29.9 ppg. In the win over SMU, the Cougars surrendered 460 total yards, but the biggest problem in the victory came against the pass, as the team was torched for 351 yards. The defense did force four turnovers in the win and also recorded three sacks. Unfortunately the team has struggled in both areas on the season, collecting just 18 turnovers, while recording a meager 14 sacks. Where the team has succeeded is on third down, as the unit is holding opponents to a mere 39 percent conversion rating. Phillip Hunt has been outstanding this season for Houston, as the defensive end leads the team with 12.5 TFLs and seven sacks.

Much like their opponent, the Golden Hurricane have also done a terrific job offensively, as the team is producing a whopping 539.3 total ypg, which has led to 37.2 ppg. Tulsa is rushing for 177.9 ypg, while also torching teams for an even better 361.4 ypg via the pass. In the recent win over Tulane, the Golden Hurricane posted a ridiculous 600 total yards. The ground game churned out 281 yards on 49 carries and the majority of the production came from Jamad Williams, who rumbled for 153 yards on 31 totes. As for Tarrion Adams, the team's leading rusher with 783 yards, he tallied just 13 yards on three totes. The passing attack was equally successful, as Paul Smith threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Smith has been one of the top signal callers in the Conference-USA, completing 61.7 percent of his passes, for 3,182 yards and 27 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.

Unfortunately the team has struggled defensively, as the defense is being abused for 460.7 total ypg. The unit has struggled against the run, and pass, as teams are churning out 191 ypg on the ground, while also throwing for 269.7 ypg through the air. Although the team was victorious this past weekend, the Golden Hurricane still surrendered 401 total yards and the majority of the damage came from the passing attack, as Tulsa was torched for 287 yards. The defense only forced one turnover in the win, and also recorded just two sacks. The team has struggled in both areas this year, as the unit has forced just 12 turnovers, while grabbing a mere 16 sacks. Chris Chamberlain has been tremendous this year, collecting 99 tackles to go along with two interceptions.

This should definitely be a high scoring affair, as both teams possess high powered offenses with suspect defensive units. Expect the Golden Hurricane to crash over the Cougars, but by a slim margin.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 47, Houston 42