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FACTS & STATS: Site: Superdome (69,703) -- New Orleans, Louisiana Television: CST. Home Record: Tulsa 0-0, Tulane 1-0. Away Record: Tulsa 0-1, Tulane 0-0. Neutral Record: Tulsa 0-0, Tulane 0-0. Conference Record: Tulsa 0-0, Tulane 0-0. Series Record: Tulsa leads, 6-1.

GAME NOTES: Tulsa will head to New Orleans this weekend to face Tulane in the Conference USA opener for both teams.

Tulsa was mangled a week ago by top-ranked Oklahoma in Norman, as the Sooners scored 30 unanswered points to open the game en route to a 47-14 win over the Golden Hurricane. Head coach Bill Blankenship's first game as Tulsa head coach was ugly from the start, and the Golden Hurricane sorely missed the services of suspended return man and receiver Damaris Johnson, who is the NCAA's all time all-purpose and return yardage leader. The return game was largely absent against the Sooners, and both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball were disappointing against Oklahoma. Now Blankenship will try to regroup one of the C-USA's best squads and start the league schedule with a bang against Tulane at the Superdome.

The Green Wave earned its second consecutive season opening win in a 47-33 decision over Southeastern Louisiana. Tulane has a solid mix of veterans and young talent. Seventeen starters were back last Saturday, with four players having double-digit starts under their belts. Nineteen players also made their collegiate debuts last weekend. Developing young recruits is key for Bob Toledo, who seems to have cultivated a promising leader in junior quarterback Ryan Griffin. Tulane played 10 true freshman a week ago, which was tied for eighth most in the country.

Tulsa owns a 6-1 lead in the all-time series against the Green Wave, with Tulane's only win coming in the inaugural meeting in 1968.

Tulsa's highly touted offense went missing for long stretches against a powerful Oklahoma defense, and there is no doubt that not having Johnson on the perimeter hurt. But the Golden Hurricane also shot themselves in the foot several times in Norman, when the Sooners forced two turnovers inside their own 20 that ended potential Tulsa scoring opportunities. The Golden Hurricane finished with three turnovers, and never had much momentum, stringing together touchdown drives in the second and fourth quarters. Quarterback G.J. Kinne, the 2010 C-USA Player of the Year, completed 18-of-33 passes for 271 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception, and receiver Willie Carter finished with five catches and 135 yards.

Oklahoma managed the clock well against Tulsa, winning the time of possession battle by over 13 minutes. The Golden Hurricane defense simply wore down in the first half, spotting the Sooners a 30-7 halftime lead and allowing 361 yards of total offense in the first half alone. Oklahoma finished with 663 yards of total offense, and its stars were bright; quarterback Landry Jones threw for 375 yards and a score, receiver Ryan Broyles had 14 catches for 158 yards and running back Dom Whaley had 131 yards and four touchdowns. Three players recorded double-digit tackles for Tulsa, including 18 from Curnelius Arnick. Tulsa won't face Oklahoma's caliber of offensive talent for the rest of the season, and should be able to generate more pressure after registering no sacks and hitting Jones just three times.

Six different players scored touchdowns in Tulane's win, and five players recorded their first career reception. What was more impressive was the big play ability shown by the Green Wave, with Griffin completing five passes over 20 yards and running back Aaron Williams adding a 30-yard score to the count. Griffin completed 14-of-24 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns, and Williams added 72 yards on 12 carries. The offense received a huge boost in the field position from the return game, as true freshman Robert Kelley set returned seven kicks for a school record 213 yards, which included returns of 66 and 51 yards.

The Tulane defense wasn't perfect, giving up 419 total yards and 33 points to the FCS-level Lions. There were a couple of really strong performances, including Trent Mackey, who not only caught a touchdown pass as a fullback on offense and blocked a punt on special teams, but also recorded 16 tackles on defense. After worries about the absence of injured senior safety Taylor Echols, sophomore Kyle Davis had 11 tackles and one pass breakup. The line played well up front (eight tackles for loss, seven sacks), and the defense only allowed 126 yards rushing on 44 attempts (2.8 ypc).

On opening weekend, Tulane was high after roughing up an FCS opponent, while Tulsa was low after being handled by the nation's best team. Now the two clubs meet in the middle, and Tulsa is better in all phases of the game. Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Brian Young passed for 249 yards against Tulane, who will see a whole other animal in Kinne this weekend. Getting pressure with the front four will be key for Tulane to be competitive, and it will be interesting to see how Griffin plays on the offensive side of the ball. Even in the Superdome, this is still likely a two touchdown game in favor of Tulsa.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 37, Tulane 21.