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FACTS & STATS: Site: Martin Stadium (35,117) -- Pullman, Washington. Television: None. Home Record: SMU 1-0, Washington State 0-1. Away Record: SMU 1-0, Washington State 0-0. Neutral Record: SMU 0-0, Washington State 0-1. Conference Record: SMU 1-0, Washington State 0-1. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Washington State Cougars will attempt to break into the win column when they host the SMU Mustangs this Saturday evening at Martin Stadium. This will be the first matchup between the Mustangs and Cougars on the gridiron.

The Mustangs stampede into this contest riding a two-game winning streak after opening the year with wins over Stephen F. Austin (31-23) and UAB (35-33). SMU already has more victories than all of 2008, and will try for its first 3-0 start since 1984. With the victory over the Blazers last week the Mustangs snapped a 15-game road losing streak and now will try to capture their first non-conference road victory since 1998.

As for the Cougars, they have yet to taste victory in 2009, as the team has dropped its first two matchups. Washington State opened its season with a 39-13 loss to Stanford, and followed up with a 38-20 loss at the hands of the Hawaii Warriors. It does not get any easier for WSU after this contest, as the team will hit the road for back-to-back meetings against USC and Oregon.

Although the season is still young, the Mustangs have proven to be a much improved team, especially on offense, averaging 396.0 total yards per matchup, including 277.5 yards per game through the air. Despite the solid numbers, sophomore quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has been inconsistent at times under center, throwing for 555 yards and four scores, but completing just 55.4 percent of his throws with four interceptions. His main target has been Emmanuel Sanders, who has already hauled in 17 balls for 214 yards and one score. In the win over UAB, Mitchell threw for an impressive 353 yards and three touchdowns, overcoming the two interceptions he threw in the win. Obviously Sanders played a large role in the victory, grabbing nine passes for 148 yards and one TD. Unfortunately the ground attack was ineffective as the team finished with just 84 yards on 2.9 yards per attempt. Shawnbray McNeal led the way with 67 yards and one score on 21 totes, and now has 225 rushing yards on the season.

The SMU defense has been a bit of a mystery to this point, as the Mustangs are surrendering a whopping 454.0 total yards per game and 26.0 ppg. The team has been torched through the air, allowing 308.5 passing ypg, but despite the poor numbers, the unit has already collected nine interceptions and 11 turnovers overall. In the recent win over UAB the Mustangs were punished for 448 yards and were punched in the mouth by the Blazers' ground game, allowing 222 rushing yards. Fortunately though the defense held UAB to just 226 passing yards and also gabbed four interceptions in the thrilling win. Chase Kennemer led the way with 11 tackles and 1.5 TFLs, and now has a team-best 21 stops and three TFLs after only two games.

Much like last year the Cougars have been unable to find a consistent approach with their offense and are currently producing 376.0 total yards per matchup, but just 16.5 ppg. The team is netting 139.0 ypg on the ground, on 3.8 yards per attempt. WSU is producing a respectable 237.0 ypg through the air, but neither Kevin Lopina or Marshall Lobbestael have shown they are capable of taking over the starting job. Lopina threw for 191 yards and two interceptions in the loss to Hawaii, while Lobbestael posted just 36 yards and one pick. Lopina has been slightly better on the year, completing 58.3 percent of his throws for 313 yards and has the lone touchdown pass on the season. Leading the rushing attack has been James Montgomery and Dwight Tardy. Montgomery has rushed for 157 yards and one TD in two games, while Tardy has added 84 yards. Montgomery was the best player on the field against Hawaii, as the tailback rumbled for 118 yards and one score on 6.9 yards per attempt.

On top of the inconsistent play offensively, the Cougars have also had trouble stopping the opposition, with opponents averaging 38.5 ppg. The main problem for this unit has been its inability to stop the pass, as opponents are torching this defense for 341.0 yards per matchup through the air. WSU's troubles against the pass continued in the loss to Hawaii, as the Warriors lit up the sky for 489 yards. Overall the defense surrendered 626 total yards. There were some bright spots in the loss however, as the team did force four turnovers, and also held Hawaii to just 3-of-6 inside the red zone. After two games the Cougars have held opponents to just 60 percent inside their own 20- yard line.

The Mustangs have been a pleasant surprise offensively, especially the passing attack, which has dominated early in the season. This will likely be troublesome for Washington State, which has been dreadful against the pass all year.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: SMU 38, Washington State 31