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FACTS & STATS: Site: Fouts Field (30,500) -- Denton, Texas. Television: None. Home Record: MT 1-0, North Texas 0-1. Away Record: MT 1-1, North Texas 1-1. Neutral Record: MT 0-0, North Texas 0-0. Conference Record: MT 0-0, North Texas 0-0. Series Record: North Texas leads, 5-3.

GAME NOTES: Sun Belt Conference action will begin for two teams this Saturday when the North Texas Mean Green host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Fouts Field.

After opening the season with a 37-14 setback to Clemson, the Blue Raiders have reeled off two victories, including a thrilling, 32-31 victory over Maryland on the road this past Saturday. Last year the Blue Raiders posted a 3-4 mark in league play, and since 2001 MT has only posted three seasons with an above .500 ledger against SBC competition.

As for the Mean Green, they opened the new campaign with a 20-10 victory over Ball State, but followed that win with back-to-back losses to Ohio (31-30) in overtime and Alabama (53-7). After winning 20 straight conference games from 2002 to 2004, the Mean Green have fallen fast in the Sun Belt, posting a pathetic 5-23 ledger against conference opponents over the past four seasons.

The Mean Green currently holds a 5-3 edge over MT in the all-time series, but the Blue Raiders have won the last three meetings, including a convincing 52-13 decision over North Texas last season.

The Blue Raiders went into College Park and put up a tremendous fight and thanks to a 19-yard field goal by Alan Gendreau as time expired, they left Maryland with a thrilling one-point victory. MTU racked up 438 total yards in the win, and the majority of the damage was done by the passing attack, which torched Maryland's secondary for 351 yards. Dwight Dasher threw for 324 yards in the win and also tossed two touchdowns. However, he was intercepted twice and sacked four times. Dasher has been decent in the first three games, completing 58.0 percent of his throws for 759 yards and five touchdowns. Dasher has also been the main source of production for the rushing attack, as the signal caller is pacing the team with 176 yards and one score in three games. Phillip Tanner is second on the team with 83 rushing yards, but he has been hobbled by a knee injury and is questionable for this weekend's matchup.

Although the Blue Raiders were victorious the defense put up a poor effort against Maryland, surrendering 446 total yards. MT had trouble against the run, allowing 158 yards, but also struggled against the pass, giving up 288 yards through the air. Stopping the run has been an issue for Middle Tennessee in the early stages of this season, as opponents are gashing this defense for 151.0 rushing ypg. However, MT is currently holding teams to a mere 36 percent conversion rating on third downs, while also limiting opponents to just 5-of-7 inside the red zone. Cam Robinson has been the top player on this unit thus far, as the linebacker is pacing the team with 22 tackles, including four TFLs and one sack.

The Mean Green were completely overmatched last Saturday against Alabama, scoring just seven points in a 46-point setback. North Texas did very little with the football, posting just 187 total yards, including 61 rushing yards on 2.3 yards per attempt. Despite the poor effort out of the backfield, the Mean Green are still averaging a respectable 157.3 yards per game on the ground. Cam Montgomery only had eight rushing yards against Alabama, but the tailback is still pacing North Texas with 245 yards on 5.3 yards per attempt. As for the passing attack, Nathan Tune was mediocre at best against the Crimson Tide, throwing for 126 yards and one score on 16-of-23 passing. Tune was filling in for Riley Dodge, who is dealing with a shoulder injury. Dodge has completed 66 percent of his throws on the season, but he is questionable for Saturday's matchup and could still be a week away from seeing the field.

The defense had no answers Saturday against a much better Alabama squad, as North Texas was abused for 523 total yards. The Mean Green were punished for 260 rushing yards, and allowed another 263 yards through the air. Stopping the run has been a major issue, as the defense is surrendering 164.0 ypg on 4.4 yards per attempt. However, in the loss to the Crimson Tide nothing seemed to work, as the team surrendered 28 first downs, while also allowing Alabama to convert on 10-of-14 third down attempts and all seven of its red zone chances. Tobe Nwigwe, who is pacing the Mean Green with 31 tackles and five TFLs, racked up five stops and two TFLs against Alabama, while DaWaylon Cook led the way in the setback with 11 tackles.

The Blue Raiders have won the last three meetings with North Texas, and are riding high off a huge win in Maryland. Look for Middle Tennessee to continue its success this weekend in Denton.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Middle Tennessee 38, North Texas 27