Conference USA will have two of its top programs on display tonight when the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-3, 4-0) travel to Orlando to meet the Central Florida Knights (4-4, 2-2). The game has plenty at stake and the winner will still be in line to win its respective division (CBSN, 8 p.m. ET).
Tulsa ended September 1-3, with losses to top ten programs, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Boise State. However, the month of October was much kinder as the Golden Hurricane went 4-0. In those four games, Tulsa won each game by at least 17 points and star quarterback G.J. Kinne threw 10 touchdown passes and only two picks.
After starting the season 2-0 and outscoring their first two opponents 92-3, Central Florida has struggled losing four of its last six games. In their last six games, the Knights have scored only 125 points, including 41 against Memphis. They will need to do much better against a Tulsa team that has averaged 38.50 points per game in its last four contests.
The Knights have the defense that is capable of keeping a team out of the end zone. They rank first in total defense (245.38 ypg) and points allowed (14.25 ppg) in Conference USA.
A win will keep Central Florida within a half game of Conference USA’s East Division co-leaders, Southern Mississippi and East Carolina, who are both 3-1. The Knights travel to Southern Mississippi next week and East Carolina the following week. A loss could spell the end of the Knights chances of repeating as conference champions.
A win for Tulsa will keep the Golden Hurricane in running for the West Division title. They are currently tied with Houston for first place. They meet the Cougars on Nov. 25.
The two schools have split the four meetings, two of which have come in the Conference USA Championship game. Their last meeting in Orlando was the 2007 championship game, won by Central Florida, 44-25.
