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FACTS & STATS: Site: FIU Stadium (18,000) -- Miami, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: Toledo 1-0, FIU 0-0. Away Record: Toledo 0-1, FIU 0-2. Neutral Record: Toledo 0-1, FIU 0-0. Conference Record: Toledo 0-0, FIU 0-0. Series Record: Florida International leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: Still in search of their first victory of the 2009 campaign, the Florida International Golden Panthers open their home schedule this Saturday when they host the Toledo Rockets.

Toledo heads into this matchup fresh off an embarrassing, 38-0 setback to Ohio State. It was the second loss of the season for the Rockets, who came into last Saturday's matchup flying high off a dominating 54-38 victory over Colorado. This will be the last non-conference matchup for the Rockets, who will open MAC competition next week at Ball State.

As for the Golden Panthers, they have dropped their first two games of the season. FIU opened the year with a 40-14 setback to Alabama, and followed that with a tough, 23-15 loss to Rutgers this past weekend. The Golden Panthers will go back to being road warriors after this matchup, as the team will battle UL-Monroe and Western Kentucky away from home over the next two weeks.

Last year Toledo and FIU met for the first time, and it was the Golden Panthers who walked away with a 35-16 decision.

The Rockets were clicking on all cylinders offensively going into their meeting with Ohio State, but the Buckeyes absolutely dominated Toledo, limiting the Rockets to just 210 total yards, while also keeping them off the scoreboard. Toledo finished with just nine first downs, and the ground game was bottled up by the ferocious Ohio State defense, as the team posted just 13 yards on 13 carries. DaJuane Collins was limited to just 22 rushing yards in the setback and now has just 209 rushing yards and two scores in the first three games. Quarterback Aaron Opelt also struggled against the Buckeyes, completing just 22-of-45 passes for 197 yards. The signal caller was also sacked twice and intercepted once.

Despite the poor showing however, Opelt is still having a solid 2009 campaign, completing 57.8 percent of his throws for 939 yards and seven scores. Overall the Rockets still seem to be a force offensively and head into this matchup averaging a healthy 28.3 ppg.

The main problem for Toledo this year has been its poor play defensively, as the Rockets are being abused for 42.7 ppg. The defense has been unable to stop the run or pass, as opponents are churning out 219.0 rushing ypg, while also torching Toledo for 283.7 yards per contest through the air.

The troubles for Toledo continued in the setback against Ohio State, as the Buckeyes punished this defense for 247 rushing yards and another 275 yards via the pass. The Rockets did force two turnovers in the contest, but allowed Ohio State to convert on 11-of-17 third down attempts and 4-of-5 red zone chances. Archie Donald was very busy against the Buckeyes, racking up 16 tackles, which gives him a team-high 29 stops on the year.

The Golden Panthers were held in check offensively in their loss to Rutgers, as the offensive unit was limited to just 260 yards, including just 42 rushing yards on a meager 1.8 yards per attempt. The rushing attack has been a major issue in the first two games of the year for FIU, as the team has just 43 yards on 49 carries. The passing attack was slightly better against Rutgers, as Paul McCall completed 24-of-37 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. However, the signal caller also tossed two interceptions and was sacked three times. After two games however, McCall's numbers look rather pedestrian, as the quarterback has just 386 yards and three scores against two interceptions. Overall the Golden Panthers crawl into this matchup averaging a lackluster 14.5 ppg behind an equally poor 237.0 total yards per contest.

On top of the poor offensive play the defense has also struggled in the early stages of the new season, resulting in 31.5 ppg against. The Golden Panthers have been unable to stop the run or pass, as teams are averaging 217.5 rushing yards per contest, while also abusing FIU through the air with 237.5 ypg.

In the setback to Rutgers, the Golden Panthers surrendered 394 yards, including 160 rushing yards on 41 carries. Florida International did not force a turnover in the contest, but the team put forth an admirable effort otherwise, recording four sacks, while limiting Rutgers to just 6-of-17 on third down attempts. Scott Bryant led the way in the loss with 12 tackles, while Kreg Brown added nine stops.

The Golden Panthers should be able to put forth a stronger offensive effort against a weak Toledo defense. However, the Rockets are too dangerous offensively, and should score enough points to grab a key win on the road.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Toledo 38, Florida International 35