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

GAME NOTES: The Florida International Golden Panthers will try to continue their strong play when they host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders this Saturday evening in a Sun Belt Conference battle. The Blue Raiders snapped a two-game losing skid the last time the team took the field, as MTU defeated Florida Atlantic, 14-13. The Blue Raiders have struggled on the road against conference foes, posting a mere 12-13 ledger against league opponents away from home. The Golden Panthers opened the season with three straight losses, but the squad was able to right the ship, reeling off back-to-back victories. The last time FIU was on the gridiron the team posted a convincing, 42-10 win over North Texas. This will be just the second home game of the year for FIU, but that could be a good thing considering the team has lost 10 of its last 11 games at FIU Stadium. This is a relatively young series, as the Blue Raiders have won two of the three meetings with the Golden Panthers.

For an offensive unit to be successful the team must have a balanced attack, and that has not been the case for the Blue Raiders, which is why the team is averaging just 16.6 ppg. The Blue Raiders have done a tremendous job through the air, averaging 275.0 ypg with the pass, but the ground game has been atrocious, at just 66.4 ypg. Joe Craddock has been solid under center for the Blue Raiders, as the quarterback has completed 65.9 percent of his throws for 1,344 yards. However, the QB has tossed just seven touchdowns, but has only thrown three interceptions as well. The last time MTU was on the field the team used two fourth quarter touchdowns to defeat FAU. Once again the team relied heavily on the arm of Craddock, who threw for 268 yards and two scores on 24-of-35 passes.

The defensive unit for MTU has also dealt with some problems this year, as the team is surrendering 363.2 total ypg, and that has led to 21.8 ppg. The squad is allowing 143.0 ypg on the ground, while giving up 220.2 ypg via the pass. The defense has forced 12 turnovers on the year, but the squad has been unable to pressure the quarterback, collecting just six sacks thus far. In the team's recent win over FAU, the defense allowed 363 total yards, but fortunately the Blue Raiders were able to force four turnovers, which was a major reason for Middle Tennessee's victory. Danny Carmichael paced the team with 10 tackles and also collected a sack, while Ivon Hickmon grabbed nine stops to go along with two TFLs and one forced fumble.

It is shocking that the Golden Panthers have won two games, especially when considering the team is averaging a meager 226.4 total ypg, which has led to 19.2 ppg. Neither the ground game nor the passing attack has been effective, as FIU is rushing for just 89.0 ypg, while the team is posting an equally poor 137.5 ypg through the air. Paul McCall has done very little at the quarterback position, as the signal caller has completed just 48.3 percent of his throws in five games. McCall has thrown for just 506 yards thus far and has five TDs against five interceptions. Shockingly, McCall had his best performance of the season in the team's win over North Texas, as the signal caller threw for 234 yards and four touchdowns. T.Y. Hilton only caught three passes in the win, but the wideout finished with two touchdowns and 145 yards.

On top of the poor offensive play, the FIU defensive unit has also struggled, allowing 389.2 total ypg, which has led to 25.0 ppg. The front line is being pounded for 153.2 ypg, while the defensive backfield is being torched for 236.0 ypg. Florida International has been able to force 13 turnovers on the year, but the defensive unit has been unable to put pressure on the QB, collecting just seven sacks thus far. Despite allowing 309 passing yards this past weekend against North Texas, the Golden Panthers were able to limit the Mean Green to just 10 points. The defense used four turnovers to its benefit and also scored a touchdown with a blocked punt. Scott Bryant led the way in the win with seven tackles and two TFLs.

The Golden Panthers were outstanding offensively this past week, but do not expect a similar performance against a much tougher Middle Tennessee defense. The Blue Raiders should score just enough points to grab another conference win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Middle Tennessee 24, FIU 14

Saturday, October 11th, 7:00 p.m. (et)