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FACTS & STATS: Site: Superdome (69,703) -- New Orleans, Louisiana. Television: FCS. Home Record: UTEP 1-1, Tulane 1-2. Away Record: UTEP 1-2, Tulane 1-2. Neutral Record: UTEP 0-0, Tulane 0-0. Conference Record: UTEP 0-2, Tulane 1-1. Series Record: Series is tied, 3-3.

GAME NOTES: Texas-El Paso has never defeated Tulane in New Orleans, but the Miners will look to rectify that when they go for their first Conference-USA win of the season in a matchup against the Green Wave at the Superdome.

This series is currently knotted at three, but all three of the wins for Tulane have come in the last four matchups and that includes a 45-38 overtime decision in 2009.

This has not been an easy season for the Miners, or their fans. Even the wins for UTEP have been tough, as the team has claimed victories over Stony Brook and New Mexico State by a combined total of 13 points. However, right now the Miners would take a win like that just to break their two-game slide. UTEP has fallen in back-to-back games to South Florida and Houston.

The Green Wave have been worse. Tulane opened the year with two wins in its first three games. One of those victories came against UAB in a conference bout. However, since that win, the Green Wave have dropped three straight matchups. The losses to Duke and Army were tough to take, but last week's setback to Syracuse was heartbreaking, as the team allowed a field goal as time expired, falling by a 37-34 decision.

The Miners are currently averaging a healthy 26.0 ppg, and that is impressive considering the team has used three quarterbacks in five games. Nick Lamaison, Jay Hall and Carson Meger have all seen significant time under center, but the most consistent performer has been Lamaison, who comes into this matchup with 774 passing yards and six touchdowns against just three interceptions.

Three of those touchdowns came in the team's recent loss to Houston, as the quarterback threw for 267 yards. However, Lamaison was sacked four times and intercepted once.

Lamaison was good, but the rushing attack was sensational and that is largely because of Joe Banyard, who rumbled for 240 of the team's 271 yards. It was by far the best game for Banyard and the Miners in terms of rushing the ball. On the season UTEP is collecting just 123.4 ypg on the ground and that comes with a 3.8 yards per carry average. As for Banyard, his total against Houston is more than half of his amount for the year (383 yards).

Regardless of how good the offense was against Houston, it did not matter because the defense was abused for four straight quarters. By the final whistle the Miners had surrendered 710 total yards.

Houston gashed UTEP for 7.7 yards per carry and finished with 239 rushing yards. Case Keenum also had a terrific showing under center for the Cougars, as he torched UTEP for 471 yards and two scores.

Clearly Keenum got the better of UTEP's secondary, but on the year the unit has been solid, allowing just five passing touchdowns. However, the same cannot be said for the rush defense. So far opponents are abusing the Miners for 201.0 rushing ypg and have already scored 12 touchdowns on the ground.

There is not many positives that can be taken from UTEP's performance against Houston, but if there was a bright spot it would be the play of Josh Fely, who racked up nine tackles.

The Green Wave have not been overwhelming in any one aspect offensively, but that has not stopped the team from averaging a strong 27.7 ppg.

Tulane comes into this weekend posting a mediocre 123.8 ypg on the ground, and the majority of that damage has been done by Orleans Darkwa, who currently has 364 yards and six scores.

Giving the Green Wave a balanced attack is quarterback Ryan Griffin, who has thrown for 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns, while tossing only three interceptions.

Griffin was outstanding in the team's recent loss to Syracuse, as the quarterback completed 24-of-30 passes for 320 yards and two scores. Both touchdowns went to Xavier Bush, who finished with 135 yards on four receptions.

Darkwa also found the end zone twice, but the tailback finished with only 65 of the team's 116 yards.

The success of the offense has not been able to mask the horrendous play of the defense, which currently ranks 102nd in the nation by allowing 34.0 ppg.

There is one glaring issue with this unit and it is its inability to stop the run. Opponents are churning out 168.7 ypg and have already found the end zone 17 times on the ground.

Tulane's struggles in that department were evident in the team's loss to Syracuse, as the Green wave were gashed for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

Regardless of the outcome, Trent Mackey continues to have a brilliant season. The linebacker racked up 18 tackles against Syracuse, giving him 73 on the year, which is nearly double the total for Shakiel Smith (38), who is second on the team in that category.

The Green Wave might have issues defensively, but just like most college teams they play better at home. Texas-El Paso will score often in this matchup, but look for the Green Wave to survive in what should be a high-scoring affair.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulane 41, Texas-El Paso 35