FACTS & STATS: Site: Fouts Field (30,500) -- Denton, Texas. Television: Local. Home Record: Tulsa 0-0, North Texas 0-0. Away Record: Tulsa 1-0, North Texas 0-1. Neutral Record: Tulsa 0-0, North Texas 0-0. Conference Record: Tulsa 1-0, North Texas 0-0. Series Record: Tulsa leads, 16-6.

GAME NOTES: The Tulsa Golden Hurricane will look to build off their week one victory when they head to Denton to take on the North Texas Mean Green in non- conference play at Fouts Field.

Tulsa, which is coming off an impressive 10-4 campaign, opened its new season with a convincing, 45-22 win over UAB. After this Saturday the Golden Hurricane will have a bye, and then will host three straight teams, beginning with New Mexico.

As for the Mean Green, their season opener did not go as smoothly, as North Texas was pounded by Kansas State, 45-6. North Texas has dropped three of its last four home openers, but overall the Mean Green have been far more impressive on their home field, posting a 55-20-2 all-time ledger.

The Golden Hurricane hold a solid 16-6 edge over North Texas in the all-time series, and have won the last eight meetings, including a 28-3 victory in the last meeting back in 2006.

Last year Paul Smith threw for over 5,000 yards and also tossed 47 touchdowns, so the question entering this campaign was, can David Johnson take over under center for Tulsa and have similar success. The senior answered those questions in the season-opener by throwing for 332 yards and three scores on an impressive 20-of-24 completions. Nine different players caught passes, but Charles Clay did the most damage, grabbing two touchdowns and 87 yards on three receptions. The ground attack was also effective, as Tulsa rumbled for 240 yards on 38 totes (6.3 ypc). Tarrion Adams, who rushed for over 1,200 yards last year, collected 63 yards and two scores on 12 carries against UAB. Jamad Williams added 58 rushing yards, while Johnson posted 48 yards on just two attempts.

The defense for Tulsa put forth two extremely different efforts in the season- opener, as the unit surrendered 22 points in the first half, but shut out UAB in the second 30 minute session. Last year the Golden Hurricane had a terrible time against the run, and unfortunately, the front line for Tulsa was ineffective in the opener, as the team allowed a whopping 245 rushing yards. Overall the Golden Hurricane surrendered 414 total yards, but fortunately the unit was able to force three turnovers. Curnelius Arnick led the squad with eight tackles in the contest, while Mike Bryan added seven stops along with one TFL and one fumble recovery.

The Mean Green offense was nothing to write home about in the season-opening loss to Kansas State, as North Texas found the end zone just once in the 39- point loss to the Wildcats. The ground game was mediocre at best, as the team racked up 105 yards on 26 carries. Cam Montgomery and Micah Mosley were the main options out of the backfield, as Montgomery rumbled for 62 yards on eight totes, while Mosley posted 56 yards on 10 carries. Unfortunately the passing attack was nonexistent, as Giovanni Vizza threw for just 100 yards and one touchdown on 16-of-29 passing. North Texas only finished with 12 first downs, and struggled when it mattered most, converting just 2-of-13 third down attempts.

Defensively the Mean Green were inept as well, as Kansas State racked up 471 total yards. North Texas was pounded on the ground for 165 yards, and torched through the air for another 306 yards. The defense was able to force two turnovers in the loss, but did not record a sack, and allowed KSU to collect 26 first downs. North Texas also permitted the Wildcats to convert on 9-of-15 third down attempts and all four of their red zone appearances. Craig Robertson was by far the most active member of the Mean Green defense, as the linebacker collected an impressive 11 tackles in the loss.

It was not a great debut for the Mean Green in 2008, and considering how potent the Golden Hurricane are offensively, this could be another disastrous matchup for a very weak North Texas squad.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 45, North Texas 17

Saturday, September 6th, 7:00 p.m. (et)