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FACTS & STATS: Site: Infocision Stadium (30,000) -- Akron, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: Ohio 1-1, Akron 1-1. Away Record: Ohio 2-1, Akron 0-2. Neutral Record: Ohio 0-0, Akron 0-0. Conference Record: Ohio 1-0, Akron 0-1. Series Record: Series tied, 12-12-1.

GAME NOTES: The Akron Zips will try to grab their first Mid-American Conference victory of the season when they host the Ohio Bobcats this Saturday evening at Infocision Stadium.

The Bobcats head into this contest after pouncing on the Bowling Green Falcons, 44-37. It was the third win in the last four games for Ohio, which also has won two of its three road contests on the season.

As for the Zips, they were not in action this past weekend, but thus far the team has dropped three of its first four matchups. The last time Akron played, the team suffered an embarrassing, 48-21 setback to Central Michigan. Akron has posted a 3-5 ledger in MAC play in each of the last three years.

Last season the Bobcats evened the all-time series at 12-12-1 with a 49-42 victory over Akron at Peden Stadium.

The Bobcats erupted offensively in their recent win over Bowling Green, scoring 44 points behind 419 total yards of production. Ohio pounded the Falcons on the ground, churning out 216 yards and three scores on 6.2 yards per attempt. Chris Garrett did most of the work in the win, as the tailback scampered for 120 yards and two scores, while quarterback Theo Scott added 82 rushing yards and one touchdown on just four carries. Scott also had a solid showing with his arm, completing 11-of-19 passes for 203 yards and two more touchdowns. The production of the ground game was surprising because the team comes into this weekend averaging just 109.4 ypg. Garrett has been the best of the bunch out of the backfield, rushing for 303 yards and two touchdowns. The passing attack has enjoyed more success and that is due to the arm of Scott, who has thrown for 919 yards and nine touchdowns against just three interceptions. Overall, Ohio is only averaging a modest 333.6 total ypg, but that has translated to a healthy 28.4 ppg.

The Bobcats needed every point they scored because the defense was absolutely woeful last time out, surrendering 474 total yards. However, the majority of the damage came through the air, as Ohio was torched for 390 yards by the pass. The defense did a nice job against the run though, holding Bowling Green to just 84 rushing yards on just 2.5 yards per attempt. The performance was a bit surprising, considering the Bobcats have been punished by the run, allowing 174.8 ypg on 4.1 yards per attempt this season. The defense has been able to live off of the big play up to this point, as the squad has forced 14 turnovers (seven interceptions and seven fumbles), while also collecting eight sacks. However, the Bobcats come into this weekend allowing 362.2 total ypg and that has led to 26.8 ppg. Neither of those numbers are terrible, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Akron might have scored 21 points in the setback to Central Michigan, but the team only totaled 196 yards. The ground game was bottled up for just 69 yards on just 1.9 yards per tote, and the passing attack was just as bad, as Matt Rodgers threw for just 127 yards on 12-of-19 efficiency. Rodgers did not toss a touchdown in the setback and was sacked five times. Rodgers, who has taken over for Chris Jacquemain who was dismissed from the team, has struggled at times for the Zips and has thrown for just 316 yards and has one touchdown against four interceptions. Rodgers has received little support from the ground game which comes into this weekend producing just 113.2 ypg on a mere 3.1 yards per attempt. Not one player has over 100 yards rushing, and the leader out of the backfield is Joe Tuzze, who rumbled for 62 of his 90 total yards in the matchup against CMU. Four games into the season and it is evident that Akron is lost offensively, as the team is averaging a mere 272.2 total ypg, and that has led to a meager 22.5 ppg.

In the loss to the Chippewas the defense for Akron was abused to the tune of 523 total yards. Akron's main problem was its inability to stop the run, as the unit was punished for 326 yards and three scores on 6.2 yards per attempt. The defense did force a turnover in the contest, but finished the game with no sacks and allowed CMU to convert on 10-of-14 third down attempts and 6-of-8 red zone chances. Creating big plays has been an issue for this unit, which has collected just six takeaways and two sacks. This defense has allowed 15 total touchdowns, and although nine have come through the air, the real sore spot for this unit has come against the run, as opponents are gashing Akron for 170.8 rushing ypg. Overall, Akron is allowing 380.0 total ypg and 29.2 ppg.

The Zips have done little on the field this season, other than grabbing a win against Morgan State. While the Bobcats are not an overly impressive team, they still possess plenty of talent to get by Akron.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio University 28, Akron 24