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FACTS & STATS: Site: Joe Aillet Stadium (30,600) -- Ruston, Louisiana. Television: None. Home Record: NMSU 2-2, Louisiana Tech 2-0. Away Record: NMSU 1-1, Louisiana Tech 0-3. Neutral Record: NMSU 0-0, Louisiana Tech 0-0. Conference Record: NMSU 2-0, Louisiana Tech 1-1. Series Record: Series tied, 4-4.

GAME NOTES: The New Mexico State Aggies will try to remain perfect in Western Athletic Conference action when they take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs this Saturday afternoon at Joe Aillet Stadium.

The Aggies are coming off their third victory of the season, defeating Utah State, 20-17, at home. It was the second conference win on the season for NMSU, which tallied just two league combine league wins during the 2007 and 2008 campaigns.

As for the Bulldogs, they had a two-game winning streak snapped with a 37-14 setback to Nevada last Friday. The setback left Louisiana Tech with a 2-3 mark on the year. Both the wins for the Bulldogs have come at Joe Aillet Stadium where the team went 5-1 a season ago.

The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings against New Mexico State, tying the all-time series at four games apiece.

The Aggies only racked up 230 total yards on Saturday, but the team still managed a 20-17 victory over Utah State. Seth Smith did most of the damage for NMSU, rushing for 98 yards and one score, while Marquell Colston added 58 rushing yards on 11 totes. The success of the ground game was definitely needed, especially since Trevor Walls struggled under center. The quarterback completed just 8-of-25 passes in the contest, finishing with 81 yards and one interception. Walls has been extremely inconsistent on the season, completing less than 50.0 percent of his passes for just 289 yards and two scores against three interceptions. However, the tandem of Smith and Colston have carried the Aggies throughout the season, as Smith is pacing the team with 566 yards, while Colston has racked up 249 yards on 4.2 yards per attempt. Overall, the Aggies have left much to be desired offensively, churning out just 268.2 total ypg, which has translated into a mere 16.0 ppg.

Mew Mexico State limited Utah State to just 17 points on Saturday, and while that can be deemed a success, the defense still struggled against Utah State's offense, surrendering a whopping 429 total yards. The Aggies allowed two passing touchdowns in the win, but had major issues against the run, as Utah State pounded NMSU for 258 yards on 5.7 yards per attempt. Stopping the run has been a major concern for this defense, as opponents are punishing New Mexico State for 164.8 ypg on 5.0 yards per carry. Overall the defense is surrendering 334.3 total ypg, and while that is not terrible, the 24.2 ppg allowed by this unit can improve slightly. Making big plays has also been a sore spot for this team, as the Aggies head into this matchup with only 10 sacks and six takeaways (four interceptions and two fumbles) in six games.

The Bulldogs scored seven points 44 seconds into their matchup with Nevada on Friday, but finished the game with only 14 points on a meager 256 total yards. Daniel Porter did most of the damage for the offense, as the tailback rumbled for 99 yards and two scores on just 11 carries. Ross Jenkins however, struggled under center, completing just 8-of-17 passes for only 129 yards. Jenkins was also intercepted once and sacked three times. Porter has been the main source of production for an otherwise weak offense, as the running back is pacing the squad with 393 rushing yards and a team-best six touchdowns. Unfortunately Jenkins has not enjoyed similar success, as the quarterback comes into this contest with just 888 passing yards and three scores against three interceptions. On the year the team's offense has clearly been led by the ground game, which is averaging 154.2 rushing ypg. Out of the 12 touchdowns scored by this unit, nine have come via the run. Overall the Bulldogs come into this weekend averaging a modest 335.0 total ypg, and that has led to 23.2 ppg.

The Bulldogs had no answer for Nevada's offense, as the Wolf Pack pummeled Louisiana Tech for 44 points on 511 total yards. The defense surrendered three passing touchdowns in the loss, but struggled even worse against Nevada's ground game, allowing 345 yards and two touchdowns on 6.8 yards per attempt. Stopping the run has been a major issue for Louisiana Tech this year, as the team is being dismantled for 218.6 ypg on 4.8 yards per carry. Out of the 14 touchdowns surrendered by this unit, nine have come via the run. After five games, this unit has been pounded for 407.0 total ypg and that has led to 25.0 ppg. Another problem has been LaTech's inability to make big plays, as the team has forced just nine turnovers, while recording only 10 sacks.

Neither team has been able to stop the run this year, so look for both Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State to use their ground games. The Bulldogs have won the last two matchups and with homefield advantage, Louisiana Tech should make it three in a row.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Louisiana Tech 27, New Mexico State 17