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FACTS & STATS: Site: Doyt L. Perry Stadium (24,000) -- Bowling Green, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: Troy 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Away Record: Troy 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Neutral Record: Troy 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Conference Record: Troy 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The 2009 season will kick off on Thursday night in Bowling Green, as the Falcons will host the defending Sun Belt Champion Troy Trojans at Doyt L. Perry Stadium.

The Trojans posted an 8-5 ledger in 2008, but after sharing the conference title in 2006 and 2007, last year's squad was able to claim the outright championship. Troy suffered losses on the road to Ohio State, Oklahoma State, and LSU, but dominated league play, winning six of its seven matchups against Sun Belt foes. Troy wrapped up its season with its second trip in three years to the New Orleans Bowl, where the team let a late lead slip away and dropped a 30-27 decision in overtime to Southern Miss.

As for the Falcons, they did not enjoy similar success in 2008, but instead the team put forth a very inconsistent effort, trading wins and losses throughout the year, finishing with a mere 6-6 ledger, which included a 4-4 record in Mid-American Conference action. The same could be expected from this year's squad, which returns only three starters on the defensive side of the football, and just 10 starters overall.

The Trojans' success last year came from an offense which posted 32.8 ppg and an impressive 414.2 total ypg. With several key players back in the mix, Troy should once again be a dangerous scoring machine. Leading the Trojan charge will be Levi Brown, who was tabbed Newcomer of the Year in the SBC in 2008. Brown was not only a surprise to the entire league, but also in Troy, as he fell into the starting job after the team's top two quarterbacks suffered injuries. Brown made the most of his unexpected opportunity, completing 62 percent of his tosses for 2,030 yards and 15 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Brown will have some solid options downfield this year, but his main target should be Jerrel Jernigan, who grabbed First-Team league honors in 2008 after amassing 77 receptions for 868 yards and five scores. The ground game took a backseat to the passing attack in Troy last year, but opponents should definitely fear DuJuan Harris, who rushed for 1,077 yards and 11 touchdowns. Harris also hauled in 36 passes and three more scores through the air, making him a duel threat and a dangerous commodity to possess in the backfield. The one thing that could hinder the success of this offense is the offensive line, which will have three new faces, so players such as Danny Franks and Tyler Clark will need to play the role of leader in 2009.

Sure the Trojans abused opponents with their lethal offense, but what was overlooked at times was the team's defense, which held foes to just 21.3 ppg in 2008. The Trojans of 2008 relied heavily on pressure, posting 37 sacks and 21 interceptions, but with just five starters returning, the unit will have plenty of holes to fill. Fortunately two of those starters are ends Brandon Lang and Cameron Sheffield, whom both earned First-Team all-league accolades last season. The 6-4, 249-pound Lang stepped in after Kenny Mainor was lost to a knee injury and he emerged as an elite pass rusher, notching 10.5 sacks and 17.5 TFLs, to go with 69 stops. The 6-2, 237-pound Sheffield benefited from the attention paid to Lang and contributed 63 tackles, 12.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. Another important part to this year's defense will be linebacker Boris Lee, who paced the team with 126 tackles this past year. Lee is one of the top linebackers in the conference, and his all-around abilities should make him a top LB once again. In the season-opener against BGSU the main focus will be the secondary of Troy, which lost three key starters from a year ago. Jorrick Colvin is the lone starter back for the Trojans, who could struggle against the Falcons and throughout the season against the pass.

First year head coach Dave Clawson is taking over a Falcon squad that returns seven starters on offense, but none are more important than quarterback Tyler Sheehan. Sheehan carried the load last year, throwing for 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for seven. He will once again need to be the team's "Mr. Everything" as the season begins Thursday's night. Sheehan lost his top receiver from a year ago in Corey Partridge, but will have Freddie Barnes to look to downfield. Barnes did not catch a touchdown pass in '08, but he did haul in 40 balls for 355 yards. There is no clear cut running back to rely on as of yet. Willie Geter and Chris Bullock are the two returning players with experience, but during camp and scrimmages Erique Geiger really opened some eyes and could make a surprising impact this season.

Defensively is where coach Clawson will have most of his concerns, as the team only returns three starters from last year. With so little experience back for coach Clawson, help will need to come from some of the younger players. The defensive line is in need of a complete overhaul with all four starters gone. Juniors Carlos Tipton, Nick Torresso and Angelo Magnone will likely see an increase in playing time, but the only player who saw consistent snaps a year ago is sophomore Kevin Alvarado, who will likely start at defensive tackle. BGSU will also need some of the young players to perform at linebacker, as the lone returning starter is Jerett Sanderson. Sanderson racked up 68 tackles a year ago, and will be looked upon as one of the leaders of this inexperienced group. Much like the other areas of the defense, the Falcons will have several new faces in the secondary, as both corners need to be replaced. The unit will rely heavily on safeties P.J. Mahone and Jahmal Brown for support. Mahone, a leader on and off the field, is one of the top safeties in the MAC, and is coming off a solid season in which he led the squad with 95 tackles and three interceptions.

The Falcons have the luxury of opening the year at home, but that might not be a good situation for BGSU, which went just 1-4 at Doyt. L Perry Stadium in 2008. In addition to their inconsistent play at home, the Falcons also land Troy, which has had a part in three straight Sun Belt titles.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Troy 27, Bowling Green 21