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FACTS & STATS: Site: Perry Stadium (24,000) -- Bowling Green, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: Ohio 1-1, BGSU 1-1. Away Record: Ohio 1-1, BGSU 0-2. Neutral Record: Ohio 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Conference Record: Ohio 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Series Record: Bowling Green leads, 37-21-2.

GAME NOTES: Mid-American Conference action will begin for two teams this Saturday afternoon when the Bowling Green Falcons host the Ohio Bobcats at Perry Stadium.

The Bobcats come into this contest after seeing their modest two-game winning streak come to an end this past Saturday with a 34-23 loss to Tennessee. Ohio is 1-1 on the road this season, but over the two previous years the Bobcats posted a weak 4-9 mark away from home.

As for the Falcons, they opened the season with a 31-14 victory over Troy, but since then the team has dropped its last three contests, including a 49-14 setback to Boise State this past Saturday. Usually playing at home is a benefit for a team, but since the beginning of last year the Falcons are a miserable 2-5 at Perry Stadium.

The Falcons have won six of the last seven matchups against Ohio and lead the all-time series against the Bobcats, 37-21-2.

The Bobcats are producing 24.5 ppg, but the offense has struggled with consistency averaging just 312.2 total ypg. The reason for the lack of success is because Ohio has relied heavily on its passing attack, which is averaging 229.5 ypg through the air, making the team a bit predictable. Theo Scott has been the driving force of this offense, as the quarterback has thrown for 716 yards and seven touchdowns against three interceptions. A total of 12 different players have caught a pass on the season, but Taylor Price has been the main target as the wideout is leading with 21 receptions, 337 yards and three scores. In the recent loss to Tennessee, the offense was once again paced by Scott who threw for 319 yards on 30-of-52 passing. Scott also threw a touchdown in the contest, but was also intercepted once. Price finished the game with 90 yards on four catches, but it was LaVon Brazill who led the way for Ohio, as the receiver collected eight passes for 92 yards and one score.

The Ohio defense has also had its issues with the run, as opponents are pounding the Bobcats for 197.5 ypg on the ground. However, as a whole the defense is only surrendering 334.2 total ypg and that has led to just 24.2 ppg. Fortunately the Bobcats have benefited off their big play ability, forcing 13 turnovers in just four games. Ohio's troubles with the run continued in its recent loss to Tennessee, as the Bobcats surrendered 177 yards on 4.5 yards per carry. Overall the defense allowed 399 total yards in the contest, and even though Ohio held the Vols to just 5-of-14 on third down attempts the defense still permitted Tennessee to collect 24 first downs and also convert on all three of its red zone chances.

Just like their counterpart, the Falcons have relied heavily on their passing attack, which comes into this weekend averaging an impressive 279.2 ypg. The success of the passing game has overshadowed the lack of support from the ground game, which has been bottled up for only 66.8 ypg on only 2.4 yards per attempt. The Falcons will only go as far as Tyler Sheehan's arm will take them, as the signal caller has been one of the top players in the conference. The senior only has five touchdowns on the year, but he has completed 66.3 percent of his throws for 1,065 yards. Freddie Barnes has been the clear cut target downfield, as the wideout is pacing the team with 46 receptions, 360 yards and two touchdowns. However, in the recent loss to Boise State the tandem of Sheehan and Barnes was shut down by a much superior team. Sheehan finished with just 137 yards and one score, while also tossing two interceptions. As for Barnes, he came into the meeting with Boise State has one of the best wideouts in the nation, but the Broncos held the senior to just four catches for just 24 yards.

The defense has done nothing to help the offense this season, as the unit is allowing 26.8 ppg. Bowling Green has surrendered 199.2 ypg through the air, but the real problem for this unit has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are gashing the Falcons for 183.8 ypg and out of the 14 touchdowns permitted by this defense eight have come via the run. The woes for the defense against the run was extremely evident in the loss to Boise State, as the Falcons were punished for 267 yards and also allowed five touchdowns on the ground. Bowling Green also lacked any big play capability, as the team finished with zero turnovers or sacks and after four games the defense has recorded only five sacks, while collecting just five turnovers. Cody Basler has been the best player for BGSU thus far as the linebacker is leading the squad with 31 tackles, four TFLs and two sacks.

Both teams rely heavily on the pass, so expect a back and forth battle that could end in thrilling fashion. The Falcons have enjoyed more success overall and with a home crowd in the background, Bowling Green should snap its three- game skid.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Bowling Green 38, Ohio 31