No. 16 USF looks to remain unbeaten against Tulane

No. 16 South Florida (6-0, 3-0 American) at Tulane (3-3, 1-1), Saturday 7 p.m. EDT (ESPN2).

Line: South Florida by 11.

Series Record: First meeting.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

South Florida aims to stay atop of the American Athletic Conference East Division and extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 12 games. Tulane is 3-0 at home, 0-3 on the road and looking for its first win over a ranked opponent since the Green Wave beat No. 19 Vanderbilt 27-23 on Oct. 6, 1984.

KEY MATCHUP

USF has scored 30 or more points in 23 consecutive games, matching the modern-day college football record set by Oregon during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. That’s speaks to the challenge Tulane’s defense faces against Bulls dual-threat QB Quinton Flowers, who thrown for 1,118 yards and 10 touchdowns vs. two interceptions and rushed for 475 yards and six TDs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

South Florida: RBs Darius Tice and D’Ernest Johnson are a potent one-two punch and have combined to rush for 978 yards and 12 TDs. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling leads the Bulls in receiving with 25 catches for 341 yards and three TDs.

Tulane: QB Jonathan Banks has thrown for 502 yards and four TDs and rushed for 267 yards and three TDs. RB Dontrell Hilliard is third in the AAC with 607 yards rushing and eight TDs. WR Terren Encalade has 15 receptions for 218 yards and one TD.

FACTS & FIGURES

USF’s defense leads the nation with 15 interceptions. The Bulls are first in the AAC in total defense (290.3 yards per game) and second in scoring defense (17.2). … LB Luke Jackson (3 ½ sacks) and CB Parry Nickerson (three interceptions) lead the Green Wave defense. … USF is 16-3 in AAC conference play over the last three seasons. Coach Charlie Strong, in his first year with the Bulls, is an even more impressive 19-1 in league games dating to his days at Louisville.

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