GAME NOTES: After sweeping through their non-league slate and returning to the Top 25, the 23rd-ranked Houston Cougars now turn their focus back to Conference USA play, as they take on the Tulane Green Wave at the Superdome this weekend.

The Cougars were bounced out of the Top 25 following a loss to Texas-El Paso (58-41), but they proved that setback was a fluke by defeating Mississippi State, 31-24, in Starkville this past weekend.

"Anytime you can win like we did today it is a team victory," said head coach Kevin Sumlin. "Every Saturday it is hard to win, but to go on the road, in an environment like this, and pick up a win is big time. I was proud of how hard we fought."

The win improved Houston to 4-1 overall, with all four wins coming against non-conference opponents, including three versus schools from BCS conferences. The Cougars made headlines when they knocked off highly-ranked Oklahoma State early in the season, propelling them into the Top 25 for the first time in 18 years. Houston built off that win with another over Texas Tech before being caught off guard in a loss to UTEP in its league-opener on October 3rd. The team now returns to conference play and figures to contend for a league title despite starting off on the wrong foot.

For Tulane, it has participated in two league bouts thus far and both contests ended in defeat. Most recently, the team hosted Marshall and suffered a 31-10 setback due to sloppy play.

"I told the team, I'm sure they're like me. You've got a sick feeling," said head coach Bob Toledo. "You worked so hard and then to have that happen to you. I'm disappointed that we turned the ball over four times. It was very frustrating."

The loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Green Wave and dropped it to 2-3 overall. Things aren't about to get any easier either, as Tulane has Southern Miss and LSU on deck, not to mention five of its final six games are on the road.

As for the all-time series, Houston owns a 10-4 edge over Tulane, courtesy of a current six-game winning streak in the rivalry. The Cougars have had their way with Tulane during the winning streak, outscoring the Green Wave by an average of 21.2 ppg.

The Cougars possess one of the most electric offenses around and they have gone over 500 total yards in each game and are averaging an eye-popping 569.2 total ypg on the year. Houston took its attack to the road last weekend and rolled up 553 yards in a 31-24 triumph of MSU. Case Keenum once again put on a show, as the star quarterback threw for 434 yards and four touchdowns on 39- of-52 tosses. He was picked twice, but that hasn't been an issue thus far for Keenum, who has is completing an efficient 69.8 percent of his tosses for an average of 426.0 ypg, with 17 scores against only four interceptions.

Keenum has plenty of options to work with and James Cleveland has emerged into another weapon for this potent attack. Cleveland now leads the team with 41 catches, 443 yards and five touchdowns thanks to a pair of huge performances in each of the team's last two games. After hauling in 14 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns against UTEP, Cleveland went for 11 catches, 131 yards and two scores against MSU last weekend. Tyrone Carrier also hauled in a pair of touchdowns last weekend and he ranks second to Cleveland with 36 catches, 437 yards and four scores on the season.

In the backfield, Bryce Beall toted 15 times for 94 yards last weekend and he now has 373 rushing yards for this pass-first offense. Beall is also a solid receiver out of the backfield with 16 catches, including three touchdowns.

Houston's defense is going to be exploited at times since the offense scores so quickly, so the unit needs to rely on big plays to be effective. Last weekend was a perfect example, as the Cougars forced four turnovers to help compensate for the 490 total yards it allowed to MSU.

"Our defense did an incredible job of creating turnovers," said Keenum who benefited from the unit's ability to make big plays.

The Cougars however, were still torched for 330 yards on the ground and they are now allowing 229.8 rushing ypg and that is an area in need of serious improvement.

Marcus McGraw is the top tackler on the team with 60 for the year and he paced the squad with 13 stops, including 11 solo, in last weekend's win.

The Green Wave controlled the game last weekend against Marshall, racking up 404 yards of offense, but its four turnovers were the difference in a 31-10 loss.

"It was the turnovers," said head coach Toledo when asked about the difference in the game. "The turnovers were devastating. They recovered a fumble and run it in for a touchdown, and then the interception and go down and score."

Tulane managed 189 yards on the ground and converted 11-of-17 third-down chances, but could only muster up 10 points due the mishaps. Tailback Andre Anderson paced the team with 92 rushing yards on 18 carries and he also had three receptions for 43 yards. Anderson, who has rushed for 446 yards and five scores on the season, is one of the premier backs in C-USA and if Tulane is to stay close in this one it will need a big game from its star runner.

At quarterback, Joe Kemp started versus Marshall and completed 14-of-23 tosses, but for just 116 yards and a pick. He later gave way to Ryan Griffin, who went 9-of-17 for 99 yards and an interception. Kemp has lacked consistency this season and has thrown for just four touchdowns against five interceptions, so a quarterback change could be coming soon if he doesn't step up.

Jeremy Williams is the team's top option by far in the passing game, as he has hauled in 34 passes for 578 yards and three scores. Those are big numbers in just give games and he had eight receptions for 53 yards in last weekend's loss.

Aside from a 99-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown, Tulane's defense did a rather solid job slowing down Marshall and its potent ground game. The Green Wave gave up just 323 total yards on the day, with only 116 of those yards coming via the run. It was certainly a positive performance considering Tulane is still allowing a whopping 194.2 rushing ypg on the season.

The knock on this defense, however, is that the group doesn't create enough big plays and that was evident last weekend when the unit recorded only one takeaway and no sacks. For the season, Tulane has just six forced turnovers and the same amount of sacks to its credit and those numbers just won't get the job done.

Chinonso Echebelem had six stops in the loss to Marshall and he tops the roster with 45 tackles for the season.

The Cougars simply have too much firepower for Tulane to handle and they should be able to run away with this one behind Keenum and the rest of the offense.