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FACTS & STATS: Site: Joan C. Edwards Stadium (38,019) -- Huntington, West Virginia. Television: Local. Home Record: BGSU 1-0, Marshall 1-0. Away Record: BGSU 0-1, Marshall 0-1. Neutral Record: BGSU 0-0, Marshall 0-0. Conference Record: BGSU 0-0, Marshall 0-0. Series Record: Bowling Green leads, 20-7.

GAME NOTES: Marshall will try to bounce back into the win column when the Thundering Herd host the Bowling Green Falcons this Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

The Falcons soared in their 2009 opener, defeating Troy, 31-14. However, Bowling Green could not carry the momentum into its next matchup, as the team fell to Missouri, 27-20. Next up for the Falcons will be a tough home matchup against Boise State, followed by the team's first conference game against Ohio.

As for the Herd, they began their season with a hard-fought, 31-28 decision over Southern Illinois. However, the excitement was short-lived as Marshall went on the road last week and suffered an embarrassing, 52-10 setback to Virginia Tech. Marshall currently holds the best home winning percentage in college football, as the team owns a tremendous 116-17 ledger at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

Bowling Green owns a commanding 20-7 edge over Marshall in the all-time series, and snapped a three-game slide against the Thundering Herd with a 56-35 victory back in 2004.

The Falcons have not been overpowering with the football, but the team has done enough, averaging 25.5 ppg. BGSU is currently producing 354.5 total ypg, but the majority of the team's success comes from its passing attack, which is punishing opponents for 272.5 ypg. Quarterback Tyler Sheehan has done a sensational job in the first two games this year, completing 67.8 percent of his throws for 545 yards and three scores. There is little doubt who has been Sheehan's favorite target, as Freddie Barnes comes into this matchup leading the Falcons with 25 receptions, 227 yards and two TDs. In the loss to Missouri, Barnes hauled in 10 passes for 70 yards, but his signal caller was mediocre at best against the Tigers, as Sheehan threw for just 206 yards and one score on 29-of-46 passing. Willie Geter led the charge out of the backfield, as the tailback rushed for 99 yards and one score. It was a successful outing for Geter, but as a whole the Falcons have struggled to find a consistent rushing attack, averaging just 82.0 ypg on 2.9 yards per attempt.

Just like the offense, the defensive unit for BGSU has done just enough, holding teams to just 20.5 ppg on 328.5 total ypg. In the recent loss to Missouri. the Falcons showed some cracks in their run defense, allowing the Tigers to churn out 181 yards on 4.1 yards per carry. Overall Bowling Green surrendered 353 total yards, and although the team forced two turnovers, it was unable to provide enough pressure on the opposing QB, finishing the game with just one sack. P.J. Mahone was outstanding in the loss, racking up 13 tackles and now has a team-best 21 stops on the year.

The Herd have found it hard to put forth a consistent effort offensively, as the team is averaging just 20.0 ppg after just two matchups. Marshall is producing just 320 total ypg and that includes a rushing attack that is churning out just 99.0 yards per game on a mere 3.1 ypc. In the loss to Virginia Tech the Herd were able to churn out 126 yards, but as a whole the team finished with just 252 yards overall. Darius Marshall, who did not play in the season-opener, rumbled for 109 yards and one touchdown in the 42-point loss to Virginia Tech. Unfortunately, the passing attack was not as successful, as Brian Anderson completed just 15-of-31 passes for 116 yards. Despite the poor outing against the Hokies, Anderson still has decent numbers on the year, completing 62.7 percent of his throws for 432 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively the Herd have struggled at times, allowing 40.0 ppg and a whopping 458.0 total yards per matchup. The weak spot for this unit has been against the run, as opponents are gashing Marshall for 274.5 yards per contest. Marshall's troubles against the run were evident in the loss to Virginia Tech, as the team was punished by the Hokies for 444 yards on 8.4 yards per attempt. Overall the defense was torched for 605 yards in the contest, but Marshall was at least able to force a turnover and collect three sacks. After two contests, Ashton Hall is pacing the Thundering Herd with 15 tackles, while Kellen Harris, who had nine stops against the Hokies, is second on the squad with 14 tackles.

The Herd have plenty of problems that need to be fixed on the defensive side of the football, but even with the team's defensive struggles, look for Marshall to continue its dominance at home with a win over Bowling Green.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Marshall 28, Bowling Green 21