FACTS & STATS: Site: H.A. Chapman Stadium (30,000) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma. Television: ESPN. Home Record: ECU 3-1, Tulsa 1-3. Away Record: ECU 2-3, Tulsa 3-2. Neutral Record: ECU 0-0, Tulsa 0-0. Conference Record: ECU 4-1, Tulsa 2-3. Series Record: Tulsa leads, 5-3.

GAME NOTES: In a rematch of last season's Conference-USA Championship matchup the Tulsa Golden Hurricane will host the East Carolina Pirates this Sunday evening at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

Tulsa holds a slim, 5-3 edge over ECU in the all-time series, but it was the Pirates last year that grabbed a 27-24 victory over Tulsa in the league title game.

The Pirates head into this contest after losing to 20th-ranked Virginia Tech, 16-3. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for ECU and dropped the team to a mediocre 5-4 on the year. Despite the modest overall record the Pirates are still one of the top teams in the conference, and come into this game with a solid 4-1 ledger in C-USA action.

As for the Golden Hurricane, they opened the season with four wins in their first five games, but since then the team has stumbled, losing four consecutive matchups, including a heartbreaking, 46-45 setback to 13th-ranked Houston last Saturday. With the loss, the Golden Hurricane fell to 2-3 in league play, but what is more surprising is that the setback left Tulsa with a meager 1-3 record at home.

Any success the Pirates have enjoyed this season has come from the ground game, as the team is churning out 145.0 ypg and out of the 25 touchdowns scored by thus unit, 17 have come from the run. The ground game is being paced by Dominique Lindsay, who has rushed for 639 yards on 5.7 yards per attempt. Unfortunately the passing attack has been wildly inconsistent, as Pat Pinkney heads into this weekend with just 1,682 yards and eight scores against 10 interceptions. Pinkney's main threat down field has been Dwayne Harris, who is leading the team with 50 receptions, 566 yards and three scores. Unfortunately against Virginia Tech, the offense did very little, as the team finished with three points behind just 277 yards. Lindsay led the ground game again, but finished with just 69 yards on 13 carries. Pinkney was not much better, as the quarterback threw for just 167 yards on 16-of-33 efficiency.

The defense for East Carolina has quietly put forth a solid 2009 campaign, as the team is limiting the opposition to just 21.9 ppg. East Carolina is surrendering 122.9 ypg on the ground, but the unit is still holding teams to just 3.7 yards per carry. However, the trouble area has been against the pass, as opponents are torching ECU for 237.2 ypg through the air. Fortunately though the defense has been able to rely on big plays, as the team has forced 11 fumbles to go along with 11 interceptions. The defense played well against Virginia Tech, despite the loss. East Carolina held the Hokies to just 16 points in the contest, but were gashed for 242 rushing yards. Chris Grimm led the way with 9.5 tackles in the loss, and also recorded a sack, an interception, while also forcing and recovering a fumble.

It is shocking that Tulsa is currently below .500 on the year, especially since the team has such a strong offensive unit. Tulsa heads into this matchup averaging 405.6 total ypg, and that has led to 29.7 ppg. The Golden Hurricane are producing 159.8 ypg on the ground, but the team does not possess a main option out of the backfield, as Jamad Williams is leading the way with just 304 yards. G.J. Kinne has contributed 277 yards and four scores, while Charles Clay has scored a team-best five touchdowns. As for Kinne, he has been much more productive with his arm, throwing for 1,832 yards and 15 touchdowns against six interceptions. Trae Johnson leads the receivers with six touchdown grabs, but Damaris Johnson is the top option for Kinne, as he comes into this contest with 39 receptions and 711 yards. In the recent setback to Houston, the Golden Hurricane did everything they could to win, but fell one-point short. Kinne did almost everything for Tulsa, as the quarterback rushed for 100 yards and one score, while throwing for 334 yards and another three touchdowns. Johnson led the team with 10 receptions for 144 yards, while Clay hauled in two of the touchdown passes.

Tulsa's weakness defensively is no secret, as the unit is clearly susceptible against the pass. Opponents are currently torching this unit for 261.7 ypg through the air, and out of the 21 touchdowns allowed by this unit, 17 have come via the pass. However, despite the team's issues with stopping the pass, the defense as a whole is allowing just 23.3 ppg, which is not terrible. Fortunately the Golden Hurricane have been able to force a few big plays, and head into this weekend with 19 takeaways and 23 sacks. In the loss to Houston the Golden Hurricane were embarrassed for 695 total yards, and the majority of that came through the air, as Houston torched Tulsa for 522 passing yards ad three scores. The defense did force two turnovers in the contest, but allowed Houston to convert on 6-of-8 red zone chances.

Last year the Pirates got the better of Tulsa in the title game, and while the Golden Hurricane are more prepared, the Pirates are still the better team and will prove it Sunday.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: East Carolina 31, Tulsa 27

Sunday, November 15th, 8:15 p.m. (et)