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FACTS & STATS: Site: FIU Stadium (18,000) -- Miami, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: Troy 2-0, FIU 0-1. Away Record: Troy 1-2, FIU 1-3. Neutral Record: Troy 0-0, FIU 0-0. Conference Record: Troy 2-0, FIU 1-1. Series Record: Troy leads, 5-0.

GAME NOTES: The Troy Trojans will attempt to continue their mastery in league play when they battle the Florida International Golden Panthers this Saturday evening in a Sun Belt Conference tussle at FIU Stadium.

The Trojans opened the 2009 campaign with two straight losses, but since then the team has won three consecutive contests. The last time Troy was in action the team collected a 31-7 decision over Middle Tennessee, pushing its league mark to 2-0 on the year. Since the start of the 2006 season the Trojans have won 20 of their last 23 league affairs.

As for the Golden Panthers, they are coming off their first win of the season, a 37-20 victory over Western Kentucky. The win snapped a four-game slide for FIU, and was also the team's first road victory on the year.

The Trojans have dominated FIU in the all-time series, winning all five of the meetings, including a 33-23 decision over the Golden Panthers last season.

The Trojans might have a winning ledger on the year, but the team comes into this matchup averaging just 21.6 ppg, behind 391.2 total ypg. The ground game is churning out just 130.0 ypg on the season, while DuJuan Harris is pacing the squad with 225 yards and three scores on just 3.2 yards per attempt. The true success of this unit has been the passing attack however, as Levi Brown is leading the team with 1,288 passing yards, but has just six touchdowns against four interceptions. In the recent win over Middle Tennessee, Brown completed 18-of-30 passes for Troy, but finished with just 181 yards and one touchdown. Surprisingly the Trojans were paced by the rushing attack, which gashed MTU for 264 yards on 5.4 yards per attempt. Dantavious Parker led the way with 83 yards and two touchdowns, while Maurice Greer added 80 yards on just seven totes.

What has been the success for the offense, has been the problem for the defense, as Troy has had major issues against the pass. The defense is currently being torched for 260.0 ypg through the air on the year, and overall the unit is allowing 399.2 total ypg and that has led to 27.0 ppg. In years past the Trojans have relied on making big plays, but this season the defense has been unable to come away with many game-changing plays, as the unit has forced just nine turnovers (seven fumbles and two interceptions), and has also struggled to put consistent pressure on the quarterback, racking up just eight sacks. The Trojans surrendered 245 passing yards in the win over Middle Tennessee, but overall the defense was outstanding, holding the Blue Raiders to just 354 total yards and only seven points. Troy forced just one turnover in the win, but more importantly the defense held MTU to a mere 4-of-17 on third down attempts.

The Golden Panthers possess a very lopsided offensive unit, which relies heavy on the passing attack, which is producing 249.8 ypg through the air. Overall the Golden Panthers come into this weekend averaging 344.6 total ypg, and that has led to a healthy 26.4 ppg. Paul McCall has done an admirable job under center thus far for the Golden Panthers, as the signal caller has completed 56.4 percent of his throws for 1,204 yards and comes into this matchup with nine touchdowns against four interceptions. Florida International put forth a solid effort in its recent win over Western Kentucky, as the Golden Panthers posted 486 total yards. McCall was once again the main source of production for this squad, as the quarterback threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns. However, what was surprising was the performance by the ground game, which netted 206 yards on 4.2 yards per attempt. Daunte Owens led the way with 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Darriet Perry rumbled for 79 yards in the win.

While the offense has enjoyed minor success, the defensive unit has been down right atrocious, and comes into this weekend allowing 34.4 ppg. The defense has been unable to stop the run or pass, as opponents are gashing FIU for 245.0 ypg on the ground, while torching the Golden Panthers for another 241.8 ypg through the air. Although the team was victorious over Western Kentucky this past weekend the defense still struggled against the run, allowing the Hilltoppers to rumble for 263 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 6.1 yards per attempt. Overall the defense was punished for 381 total yards, but still managed to limit Western Kentucky to just 20 points. The defense made plenty of big plays as well in the win, forcing two turnovers, while recording two sacks and holding FIU to just 4-of-13 on third down attempts.

It is unlikely the Golden Panthers will have similar offensive performance this week, against a much better Troy team. The Trojans have not been at their best so far, but expect them to grab the win in Miami.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Troy 31, Florida International 21