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FACTS & STATS: Site: H.A. Chapman Stadium (30,000) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma. Television: None. Home Record: North Texas 1-1, Tulsa 0-1. Away Record: North Texas 0-2, Tulsa 1-2. Neutral Record: North Texas 0-0, Tulsa 0-0. Conference Record: North Texas 0-1, Tulsa 0-0. Series Record: Tulsa leads, 17-6.

GAME NOTES: Tulsa will look to continue its dominating ways against North Texas when the Golden Hurricane host the Mean Green this Saturday night at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

North Texas has not finished with more than three wins in each of the last six years, and the 2011 campaign began with more of the same. The Mean Green opened the season with three consecutive losses, falling to FIU, Houston and Alabama, and each loss was by double figures. However, the team was able to find the win column this past weekend with a solid, 24-21 decision over Indiana.

As for the Golden Hurricane, they are also just 1-3 on the year, but they have faced a much tougher slate of opponents. Outside of their victory over Tulane, the Golden Hurricane squared off against powerhouses Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Boise State. Tulsa was dismantled in each game, but that is not surprising since all three teams are currently ranked in the top-10.

In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, the Golden Hurricane hold a commanding 17-6 edge over North Texas and have won the last nine matchups.

Through their first three games the Mean Green found little success on the ground, but in the team's latest contest North Texas found plenty of room to run and it led to victory.

The win came against Indiana, and it was a coming out party for North Texas' offense. The Mean Green finished with 226 rushing yards, and Lance Dunbar led the way with 127 yards on 5.3 yards per attempt. The run set up the pass, as Derek Thompson threw three touchdowns in the win.

He only completed 10-of-20 passes, but did finish with 201 yards. Thompson's biggest target was Dunbar, as the back also racked up 152 yards and one score on seven receptions.

Clearly the success of this offense will be determined by the production of Dunbar, who is leading the team with 248 rushing yards. He is also the best receiver thus far, hauling in 18 passes for 258 yards and one more score.

Still, for this offense to truly improve Thompson will have to be much more consistent under center. He has only 620 passing yards to date with a mediocre 54.9 percent completion rating.

Coach Dan McCarney has more than just the offense to worry about, because the North Texas defense has also struggled, mainly against the run. This is not surprising though because the team has endured problems in this department over the last four seasons, allowing more than 180 ypg via the run in each of those seasons.

Through four games North Texas is being punished for 183.0 rushing ypg and has already allowed 10 touchdowns on the ground. To make matters worse the team is also being torched for 337.2 ypg through the air.

In the win over Indiana, the Mean Green held the Hoosiers to just 50 rushing yards, but the enthusiasm was tempered by Indiana's 354 yards through the air.

Tulsa will likely attack the Mean Green on the ground because at the moment the passing attack is far too inconsistent. G.J. Kinne threw 31 touchdowns last year, but so far he has made too many mistakes. Through four games he has only 648 yards and six touchdowns against six interceptions.

Because of Kinne's erratic play, coach Bill Blankenship will lean heavily on Trey Watts and Ja'Terian Douglas. Watts is leading the team with 322 rushing yards, while Douglas comes into this weekend with 281 yards and two scores.

Last week against Boise State the Golden Hurricane finished with 155 yards on the ground, but Watts and Douglas were not overwhelming. The two backs combined for just 105 yards on 22 totes, but the light workload was due to the team's large deficit.

Trailing the Broncos, coach Blankenship called on Kinne to get the team back in the contest, but the quarterback struggled mightily, finishing with just 123 passing yards. Kinne threw a touchdown, but he was intercepted four times.

Kinne were unable to get the job done against Boise State's defense, and on the other side of the ball Tulsa's defense was simply overmatched by Kellen Moore and the Broncos.

Tulsa allowed 327 yards passing and five touchdowns through the air in the loss, and that has been a big problem for this unit, which is currently surrendering 322.2 ypg through the air.

However, that is not the only problem, as Tulsa is also having a tough time stuffing the run. Through four games the Golden Hurricane have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns, and has been punished for 152.5 ypg on the ground.

This defense should have a much better performance this weekend because North Texas is not nearly as explosive as most of Tulsa's competition thus far.

Even if the defense for Tulsa still has some problems, the offense should score enough points to get the Golden Hurricane their second win. Look for Kinne to finally resemble the quarterback from last year and lead Tulsa to a big win at home.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 42, North Texas 28