Week 13: Tulsa at Rice

For Tulsa, the West Division title requires only a victory against a lowly Rice squad, one that has lost four of six.

But the Golden Hurricane isn't expecting the Owls to make clinching a spot in the league title game easy. Rice has had this game circled on its calendar since coach Todd Graham left the Owls program — after one year as head coach — to take the Tulsa job.

“I gave my very best and left that place better than I found it,” Graham said. “I can tell you that. It wasn't my intention to be there one year (but) I gave them everything I had.”

While Rice doesn't appear to have the defense to stop one of the nation's most prolific offenses — Tulsa averages 40 points and 544.6 yards per game — it'll be hard to dismiss the anti-Graham factor.

Rice can score points, too, behind quarterback Chase Clement and receiver Jarett Dillard. Clement has tossed 26 touchdown passes and Dillard, while not having the breakout season he did last year as a sophomore, has had a respectable run. He's tied for the C-USA lead with 13 touchdown receptions.

And the Owls have won two of their last three, averaging 43 points during the stretch and including a 56-48 win against UTEP.

The revenge motive may lost only as long as the Rice defense can slow the Golden Hurricane. And for Rice, the numbers aren't encouraging. The Owls allow 300 passing yards per game (11th in C-USA) and are 11th in the conference in total defense (503.5 ypg).

Those are figures Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and quarterback Paul Smith are expected to feast upon. Smith remains a strong candidate to win the league's offensive player of the year award. He has thrown for 3,886 yards and 34 touchdowns, both league highs, and could flirt with a 5,000-yard season. Only five quarterbacks in NCAA Bowl Subdivision history have reached 5,000 passing yards in a single season.

In such a prolific passing attack, Tulsa receivers have accumulated some gaudy numbers. Three receivers have 750 or more receiving yards, led by junior Brennan Marion. Marion is averaging an NCAA-leading 36.2 yards-per-catch on 25 receptions. He has had 12 catches for 40 or more yards this season.

Defensively, Tulsa hasn't done anything to hold opponents at bay — outside of an uncharacteristic and shocking defensive effort in a 56-7 win over Houston. Tulsa allows 34 points and 451 yards per game and ranks near the bottom of the league in turnover margin. The Golden Hurricane relies on its ability to outscore the opposition, which it should be able to do against the Owls.

Tulsa by 26