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FACTS & STATS: Site: Floyd Casey Stadium (50,000) -- Waco, Texas. Television: FSN Southwest. Home Record: KSU 2-1, Baylor 1-1. Away Record: KSU 0-1, Baylor 1-0. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Baylor 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 1-0, Baylor 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: For the first time ever the Kent State Golden Flashes and the Baylor Bears will collide on the gridiron when the two teams battle this Saturday night at Floyd Casey Stadium.

The Golden Flashes snapped a two-game slide in their last contest as they defeated Miami-Ohio, 29-19. It was the second win on the year for KSU, which opened the 2009 campaign with an 18-0 victory over Coastal Carolina. This will be just the second road game for KSU, but playing as the visitor has been a problem for the Golden Flashes since 2005, as the team has posted just a 7-20 mark during that time.

As for the Bears, they have won two of their first three games, and that includes a convincing, 68-13 victory over Northwestern State this past Saturday. Baylor only won 11 games from 2006 to 2008, but nine of those victories came at home, and this year the team is 1-1 in Waco.

Kent State scored 29 points in the win over Miami-Ohio despite posting just 250 total yards of offense. The Flashes pounded Miami for 173 rushing yards on 4.2 yards per carry, and the majority of the damage was done by Jacquise Terry, who rushed for 103 yards on 15 totes. Andre Flowers added 37 yards, while Dri Archer rumbled for 28 yards and one touchdown. Giorgio Morgan and Spencer Keith both saw time under center, but the two combined for just 11 passing attempts. Morgan finished with just 22 passing yards, while Keith added 55 yards and one touchdown. Although the Golden Flashes are 2-2 on the year, the team has done very little offensively and heads into this game averaging just 268.8 total ypg. The ground game has been inconsistent all year, as the team is churning out a meager 105.8 ypg on just 3.0 yards per carry. However, the team is hoping the emergence of Terry could lead to a much better attack. Sadly enough the passing game has been just as inconsistent, as the team has dabbled between both Keith and Morgan. However, Keith has shown he is the more complete passer and comes into this contest with four touchdowns and just two interceptions, while also completing 65.3 percent of his throws.

Sure the Golden Flashes only surrendered 19 points in the matchup with Miami- Ohio, but the defense still had plenty of problems, as the RedHawks abused KSU for 552 total yards. Kent State could not stop the run or pass, as the defense was punished for 215 rushing yards, while also allowing 337 yards through the air. Fortunately the team took advantage of Miami's mistakes, as the unit collected five turnovers, while holding the RedHawks to just 2-of-11 on third down attempts. On the season the Golden Flashes are holding opponents to just 21.2 ppg, but that has not stopped teams from racking up 372.5 ypg, including a whopping 163.2 rushing yards on 4.2 yards per carry. A saving grace for this team has been its big play ability, as the Flashes have forced 12 turnovers in four games. Cobrani Mixon has had something to do with this unit's play, as the linebacker is pacing the team with 40 tackles and five TFLs.

Baylor scored 68 points in its recent win over Northwestern State, but the team still lost something very important, quarterback Robert Griffin. Griffin threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns in the matchup, but suffered a torn ACL and is now done for the season. Blake Szymanski stepped in for Griffin and threw for 58 yards and one score, but now the senior will have to lead the team the rest of the year. Hopefully the ground game can build off its success in the recent win, as the team rushed for 283 yards on 8.6 yards per attempt. Jarred Salubi rushed for 131 yards and one touchdown on Saturday, while Terrance Ganaway added just 43 yards, but also scored three touchdowns. So far the Bears have used a heavy dose of their rushing attack, so that should take pressure off of Szymanski this weekend. After three games Baylor is averaging a healthy 209.0 rushing yards per contest, and has plenty of talent in the backfield, beginning with Jay Finley. Finley is currently leading the team with 212 rushing yards, but the junior is dealing with an ankle injury and could miss his second straight contest. However, Salubi proved he is capable of running the ball, while Ganaway is progressing into a terrific goal line option.

On top of the outstanding offensive performance the Bear defense also put forth a solid effort, forcing four turnovers, while also holding Northwestern State to just 248 total yards. Baylor did a terrific job against the pass, holding the opposition to just 115 yards through the air, and on the year the defense has been able to contain the opponent's passing attack, limiting teams to just 135.0 passing ypg. However, the unit has had its problems with the run, and comes into this weekend allowing 164.7 ypg. Out of the eight touchdowns surrendered by the Bears, five have come via the run. Joe Pawelek has done a little of everything for this team, as the linebacker has collected 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception.

Losing Griffin will definitely hurt the Bears as the year progresses, but against a team like Kent State, Baylor should have no troubles getting a win in front of its home crowd.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Baylor 38, Kent State 14