Tulsa @ East Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 28, 2014 ) East Carolina 49, Tulsa 32

East Carolina finished a challenging non-conference schedule with a valiant, but futile, effort. The Pirates can now turn their full attention to a potential push toward the top of the American Athletic Conference standings when they host Tulsa on Saturday.

Ruffin McNeill's team erased a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit at BYU last week before falling 45-38 on a last-minute touchdown, but can take some positives from a non-conference run that included three competitive setbacks - all on the road - against the Cougars, Florida and Navy. "We just went through two quarters of the season, now we're at the halfway mark starting the third quarter facing a Tulsa team," McNeill told reporters this week. "I think we have handled adversity well. I think we've fallen behind and we've found ways to get into the game." The Pirates have also found ways to score points in bunches when facing Tulsa, averaging 45.8 points during a five-game winning streak in the series between the former Conference USA foes. The Golden Hurricane is coming off a 34-24 win over ULM and pull into the weekend ranked seventh among FBS teams in total offense (568 yards per game).

TV: Noon ET, ESPNews. LINE: East Carolina -10.5

ABOUT TULSA (3-2, 0-1 AAC): The Golden Hurricane ran 107 offensive plays last week, a school record that boosted the team's FBS-leading average to 92.2. Many of those plays have been conducted behind the powerful arm of Dane Evans, who has averaged 46.3 passes over the last three games and has thrown just one interception in 169 throws in his last four. However, the junior has struggled in a pair of prior losses to the Pirates, completing 29-of-65 passes (44.6 percent) for 341 yards, two scores and four picks.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (3-3, 1-1): While Evans is firmly entrenched under center for Tulsa, the Pirates will continue to press on with Blake Kemp and James Summers sharing snaps. "I know there are quarterback questions with James and Blake, but they are playing well together and we will keep that system," McNeill said. Kemp threw for a season-high 371 yards against BYU while Summers had 55 yards and a touchdown on the ground, his fifth rushing score in the last three games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tulsa has had a 100-yard receiver in each game with Keyarris Garrett leading the AAC with 125.6 receiving yards per game.

2. Golden Hurricane RB Zack Langer is tied for fifth in FBS play with 10 rushing touchdowns.

3. East Carolina has won 12 of the last 13 conference games at home.

PREDICTION: East Carolina 42, Tulsa 31