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Tulsa's Clint Anderson visualized the perfect setting following Friday's Conference USA showdown against No. 8 Houston.
"I just want to see (G.J. Kinne) leading the band," the senior offensive lineman said referring to the traditional postgame victory party.
"And I don't want us to have any regrets, both as an offense and as a team."
The Golden Hurricane will play one of its biggest home games in recent memory when it entertains the Cougars in the 11 a.m. contest at Chapman Stadium. The survivor will represent the West Division and host the C-USA championship game on Dec. 3 while the loser can start making bowl plans.
Emotions will be high, both before and after the game. Tulsa will honor 21 seniors before the contest and then try to overcome one of college football's hottest teams.
The Cougars (11-0 overall, 7-0 in C-USA) have BCS bowl goals. The team is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Case Keenum and owns the nation's second-longest winning streak at 11.
Tulsa (8-3, 7-0) has won seven consecutive games, the fifth-longest streak in college football. The offense is engineered by G.J. Kinne, who has had success in his past two games against Houston.
TU's confidence is high right now.
The Hurricane battled adversity during September, when it lost to three schools (Oklahoma State, Boise State and Oklahoma) currently ranked in the top nine of the BCS Standings. Kinne wasn't healthy in games against OSU and Boise State while the team was still transitioning to a new coaching staff and system.
Now, Kinne said, everything is peaking.
"I think it's interesting that we are getting to play a top 10 team at the end of the year," Kinne said. "Normally we do it at the beginning. The past couple of years we always say at the end that we are playing so well and then we say 'Man, I wish we played those teams now.'
"We get that chance now with Houston. We get to play them while they are in the top 10 and we are playing our best football."
Perhaps it's appropriate that Friday's battle will pit the two C-USA programs with the best conference record since realignment in 2005. Tulsa and Houston are both 40-15.
Saturday's winner will be the first to go through the league's regular season unscathed since Louisville accomplished the feat in 2004.
Blankenship said Houston's 11-0 record isn't taken lightly.
"We have great respect for Houston. I think it's fabulous they have the ranking they have and it's well-deserved," Blankenship said. "As a non-AQ school, you like for guys that are doing what they are supposed to do to get that recognition. It's probably long overdue.
"By the same token, it doesn't matter to us. That's a team that stands in our way to win the West Division title. It think our guys understand what we've done the last several weeks is what we have to do again."
Kevin Sumlin said the Cougars, like Tulsa, have had focus each week.
"They don't think like you guys (the media). To be honest, they are more mature than two years ago," Sumlin said. "We have a bunch of juniors and seniors that went through that. We have done a better job of handling it. Our players have done an excellent job of focusing.
"I told them to ignore the circus and ride the ride. They get that."
Blankenship saw focus when his team dominated UTEP last weekend in a meaningless game. The Hurricane led 50-15 going into the fourth quarter at the Sun Bowl, a place not kind to past TU teams.
"It mattered to the guys that wanted a chance to run the table and do something that hasn't been done here," Blankenship said. "We've been blessed to be in a program that's won a lot of games recently and to follow coaches that had the program on a high note. Our players want to do something special."
Houston has won 11 games for the third time in school history.
"As a team these guys have been able to handle everything that has happened this year," Sumlin said. "They can handle success. We do talk about the milestones, whether they are individual or a team. Our team is proud of it."
Blankenship and his team are enjoying the journey and don't want it to stop.
"I'm already over the moon at eight (wins)," Blankenship said. "We're already counting and figuring out ways to get to 11."
Tulsa vs. Houston game day information Kickoff: 11:10 a.m. Chapman Stadium opens at 9:30 a.m.
Team walk: 8:45 a.m. from Collins Hall on Eighth Street.
Hurricane Alley: Food, drinks, inflatable games on Chapman Commons. Live entertainment. Opens at 8:30 a.m.
Senior Day: Videoboard presentation introducing each Hurricane senior at roughly 10:50 a.m., followed by PA acknowledgement as each runs onto the field.
Tickets: Online at tulsaworld.com/tusports, by phone at 918- 631-4688 or visit the Reynolds Center Ticket Office.
Will call: Reynolds Center ticket office. TU player pass gate (Gate 2). Visitors will call (Gate 6).
Prohibited items: Firearms, weapons, artificial noisemakers, camcorders, umbrellas, folding chairs, outside food and beverage containers, alcoholic beverages. Random bag and purse checks possible entering the stadium.
Students: Ticket and student ID required. Enter any gate but Gate 4.
Handicap: Special entrances at Gates 1, 1A, 6A and 7. Handicap parking available in south corner of Lorton Village Parking Lot, west of stadium. Handicap seating available in sections 105-108 (east side), 109, 110 and 113 (south side) and 114-117 (west side). Phone Reynolds Center Ticket Office for tickets in handicap area.
Re-entry: Persons leaving the stadium must have a ticket stub and hand stamp to reenter.
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