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FACTS & STATS: Site: Superdome (69,767) -- New Orleans, Louisiana. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Tulsa 0-0, Tulane 0-0. Away Record: Tulsa 0-0, Tulane 0-0. Neutral Record: Tulsa 0-0, Tulane 0-0. Conference Record: Tulsa 0-0, Tulane 0-0. Series Record: Tulsa leads, 4-1.

GAME NOTES: The Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Tulane Green Wave jump right into it this Friday, as they not only open their respective 2009 seasons, but their Conference USA slates as well. The two programs have had vastly different degrees of success over the last several years, as the Hurricane has emerged as a C-USA power, while the Wave has resided at the bottom of the standings.

Tulsa has won the West Division title three times in four years since joining C-USA and has appeared in the league championship game each of the past two seasons. In 2008, Tulsa opened the season 8-0, its best start since 1942, en route to a national ranking. The Hurricane finished the campaign with a school-record 11 wins and that included a 45-13 victory over Ball State in the GMAC Bowl. It marked the fourth bowl appearance in a row for Tulsa, which rebounded nicely following a loss to East Carolina in the C-USA title game.

As for Tulane, it endured a sixth straight losing season in 2008, stumbling to a dismal 2-10 finish. The Wave ended the campaign with eight straight losses and finished just 1-7 within the league, a complete opposite of Tulsa's 7-1 mark in C-USA action.

The head-to-head series between Tulane and Tulsa has also been in favor of the Hurricane, which own a 4-1 all-time mark against the Wave. Tulsa has won each of the past four meetings and that includes a 56-7 trouncing a year ago.

Tulsa has built a reputation for itself behind a high-powered attack which has led the nation in total offense each of the past two seasons. Gus Malzahn, the mastermind behind this hurry-up, no huddle system, is now gone and so is quarterback David Johnson, who threw for 4,059 yards and 46 touchdowns, but don't expect a big drop off from this unit. At quarterback, Tulsa has three options in last year's backup Jacob Bower, Texas transfer G.J. Kinne, and incoming freshman Shavodrick Beaver, but coach Graham is holding off his announcement on who will be the starter to give Tulane less time to prepare. Whomever does get the start will have plenty of options at his disposal, as talented wideouts Damaris Johnson, Slick Shelley and Trae Johnson are all welcomed back. The trio combined for 112 catches, 1,845 yards and 26 touchdowns and figure to only be better with another year of experience. The wideouts will need to be especially good this season, as Tulsa must replace its top rusher in Tarrion Adams, who rumbled for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Jamad Williams, a backup the last two seasons, is now set to take over the starting role and he showed a glimpse of his potential by rushing for 523 yards and three scores on only 86 totes last season. Fullback Charles Clay is also a solid option out of the back and a threat in the passing game, pulling in 38 balls for 464 yards and nine touchdowns. The Hurricane must replace three starters on the offensive line and how quick the new faces can gel will surely have an impact on this unit's success.

If the Hurricane is to capture the C-USA title, it will need the defense to improve and there is hope for that with seven starters welcomed back. Anchoring the line is tackle Wilson Garrison, a former juco standout that recorded 53 stops, 6.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks a year ago. Three prominent starters return at linebacker and that should help make up for some of the lack of experience on the line. Mike Bryan is the star of the group and one of the top players in the league after making 119 tackles a year ago. Tanner Antle and George Clinkscale, whom combined for 116 tackles, 13.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks last season, join Bryan to form a stout linebacking corps. The secondary also returns some decent talent, but needs to make strides after giving up 249.6 passing ypg in 2008. James Lockett gives the secondary hope for improvement and he is looking to build off a great 2008 campaign in which he posted 82 tackles, 16.5 TFls and 8.5 sacks.

The Wave was hit hard by injuries in 2008 and that resulted in one of the worst offenses around, averaging a mere 16.7 ppg. The positive though, is Tulane is now healthy and several key pieces return, giving this unit a chance to improve dramatically. It all starts with tailback Andre Anderson, who was one of the nation's top rushers last season before dislocating his shoulder in October, gaining 864 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games. The do-it all back has the talent to play at the next level and he will surely put that on display in 2009. The return of Anderson will certainly help Joe Kemp, who has overtaken Kevin Moore for the starting role under center. Kemp is a strong and athletic gunslinger with good speed and he should immediately help a passing game that accounted for only 10 touchdowns last season. Jeremy Williams (347 yards, five TDs) will be one of Kemp's main targets and he will look to bounce back after missing most of last season with a hand injury.

Tulane was torched for 34.5 ppg and 218.4 rushing ypg in 2008, so it was to no surprise to see the program bring in a new defensive coordinator for the third straight season. Steve Stanard is now the man in charge of rebuilding this defense and he has his work cut out for him. The front line will be a strength of this defense thanks to the return of Reggie Scott, Logan Kelley and Adam Kwentua, whom combined for 107 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 2008. The line will need to play above expectations, as Tulane must replace all three starters at linebacker from a year ago. Travis Burks (40 stops) and David Kirksey (41 tackles) are the top two options to jump in starting roles, but there isn't much talent behind them. In the secondary, Tulane returns several players that saw significant time in 2008 and that should only make this group better. Redshirt freshman Alex Lauricella has a world of talent and he should make an immediate impact in the back.

Tulsa may not be as strong as last year, but this team is still one of the top teams in C-USA. Tulane, on the other hand, still has a lot of rebuilding to do and is most likely in for another losing campaign. The game should be competitive for a little thanks to Tulane's ground game, but in the end, Tulsa will prevail behind its powerful offensive attack.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 42, Tulane 24