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FACTS & STATS: Site: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium (22,113) -- Bowling Green, Kentucky. Television: None. Home Record: FIU 0-1, WKU 0-2. Away Record: FIU 0-3, WKU 0-2. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, WKU 0-0. Conference Record: FIU 0-1, WKU 0-0. Series Record: Series tied, 2-2.

GAME NOTES: Two teams still looking for their first victory on the year will collide at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium when the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers host the Florida International Golden Panthers in a Sun Belt Conference battle.

The Golden Panthers put forth their best performance on the season last weekend against UL-Monroe, but still fell to the Warhawks by a 48-35 margin. Florida International is winless in three road games this year and since the beginning of the 2006 campaign the team has posted a weak 2-20 ledger as the visitor.

As for the Hilltoppers this will be their first official Sun Belt matchup, as the team is finally a full-fledged member in the conference. The last time WKU was in action the team suffered a 38-22 setback to Navy, giving the Hilltoppers their 12th consecutive loss, which is currently the longest losing streak in the nation.

The Golden Panthers evened the all-time series at two wins apiece after grabbing a 27-3 victory over WKU last year.

The Golden Panthers come into this game with an unbalanced offense, and the majority of the team's success has come through the air, as the team is averaging 242.2 ypg via the pass. Overall the team is producing just 309.2 total ypg and that has translated into a mediocre 23.8 ppg. Paul McCall has been a tad inconsistent on the year, but has still thrown for 924 yards and seven scores against four interceptions. T.Y. Hilton has been the main target for McCall, as the wideout is leading the team with 34 receptions, 363 yards and four scores. Florida International scored 35 points in its last matchup, but still fell to ULM by a 13-point margin. Once again the team was led by McCall, who threw for 314 yards and three scores on 28-of-46 efficiency. However, the signal caller was intercepted twice and sacked once. Hilton was also busy in the contest, hauling in 11 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown, while Greg Ellingson collected six receptions for 66 yards and one score.

On the other side of the football, the Golden Panthers are allowing 272.8 ypg through the air, but the real problem for this unit has come against the run, as opponents are pounding Florida International for 240.5 ypg on the ground and out of the 17 touchdowns surrendered by this unit, 12 have come via the run. The defense has also had a tough time making big plays, as the team has forced just four turnovers, while recording only seven sacks. The team's inability to stop the run continued in FIU's recent setback to the Warhawks, as the defense was gashed for 304 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 5.7 yards per attempt. The Golden Panthers did collect three turnovers, but allowed the Warhawks to convert on 8-of-16 third down attempts and all six of their red zone chances.

Nothing has gone right for the Hilltoppers this season, as the team is averaging a mere 272.0 total ypg, and that has led to an equally poor 12.2 ppg. The ground game is only churning out a modest 134.5 ypg on 3.8 yards per attempt. Bobby Rainey has been the top option out of the backfield, as the tailback is leading the team with 212 yards on 5.6 yards per carry. Quarterback Brandon Smith has contributed 162 yards on the ground, and sadly enough that almost equals his passing numbers. In just three games under center Smith has completed just 47.5 percent of his throws and has just 194 yards and zero touchdowns. Kawaun Jakes has also seen time at quarterback, and he has been slightly better, throwing for 356 yards and two scores, but also has three interceptions. Although the Hilltoppers fell to Navy in their recent matchup, the team still put forth its best effort offensively, racking up 434 total yards. Jakes played the entire game under center and did quite well, throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-28 passing. Jakes also added 44 rushing yards and one score on the ground, while Rainey added 99 yards on 14 totes.

The Hilltoppers have played four games this season and it is very clear the team has no answer for opponent's ground games, as the teams are currently gashing Western Kentucky for 299.8 ypg on 6.6 yards per carry. Overall this unit has been abused for a whopping 499.5 total ypg and that has led to 41.0 ppg. Producing big plays has also been a troublesome area for WKU, as the team has collected just eight takeaways and only two sacks. Western Kentucky's inability to stop the run continued in its recent loss to Navy, as the Midshipmen punished the Hilltoppers for 373 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 5.8 yards per attempt. Overall the defense surrendered 473 yards, and also allowed the Midshipmen to convert on 9-of-12 third down attempts and 4-of-5 red zone chances.

Something will have to give Saturday night as both teams are looking for their first win. The Hilltoppers are home, but the team has been horrendous and should fall to FIU, beginning their Sun Belt era with a loss.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: FIU 38, Western Kentucky 28