FACTS & STATS: Site: The Rubber Bowl (31,000) -- Akron, Ohio. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Toledo 0-4, Akron 0-3. Away Record: Toledo 2-2, Akron 4-1. Neutral Record: Toledo 0-0, Akron 0-0. Conference Record: Toledo 1-3, Akron 2-2. Series Record: Toledo leads, 8-7.

GAME NOTES: Mid-American Conference action will take place Wednesday night at the Rubber Bowl when the Akron Zips host the Toledo Rockets. It has been a rough season for the Rockets, which have lost six of their eight matchups on the year. The last time Toledo was on the field the squad suffered a tough, 24-23 setback to Central Michigan. The loss dropped Toledo's league mark to a mere 1-3 on the season, and since the 2006 campaign the team is a meager 7-13 against league foes. Although Toledo only has two wins on the year, both victories have come on the road, which is promising for the Rockets. As for the Zips, they have not played football since October 18th when the team grabbed a 42-35 victory over Eastern Michigan. Usually playing in front of a home crowd gives a team an advantage, but that is not the case for Akron, which has lost all three of its matchups at the Rubber Bowl this season. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools on the gridiron, the Rockets have won the last six meetings, and now have a slim 8-7 edge over Akron.

Offensively the Rockets have not been very explosive, as the team is producing just 321.1 total ypg, and that has led to a mediocre 21.2 ppg. DaJuane Collins and Morgan Williams have formed a solid tandem in the backfield, as Collins has rushed for 557 yards and five scores, while Williams has tallied 408 yards and three touchdowns. Although the Rockets are posting a mediocre 194.8 ypg through the air, quarterback Aaron Opelt has played well, completing just 61.7 percent of his throws. As of now Opelt has thrown for 1,480 yards and eight TDs against just three interceptions. In the loss to Central Michigan, the Rockets only posted 365 total yards. Collins led the ground game with 94 yards and one score, while Opelt threw for 216 yards and one touchdown on 16-of-26 passing.

Unfortunately Toledo has not enjoy much success defensively, as the squad is surrendering a whopping 31.4 ppg. The major issue for this unit is its inability to stop the run, as opponents are pounding Toledo for 174.1 ypg, and out of the 31 touchdowns allowed by Toledo, 18 have come via the run. The Rockets have also struggled to make big plays this season, forcing just 10 turnovers, while collecting a pathetic eight sacks. In the loss to CMU the defense was gashed for 146 rushing yards, but where the unit was really devastated was against the pass, as the Chippewas threw for 256 yards. Archie Donald paced the squad with 12 tackles in the loss and also forced one fumble, while Daris Quinn tallied 11 stops for Toledo.

The Zips come into this matchup averaging an impressive 28.1 ppg, and that is because the team leans on a balanced attack, beginning with the ground game that is rumbling for 158.4 ypg. Dennis Kennedy has been outstanding for Akron, rushing for 750 yards and nine touchdowns on 6.0 ypc. As for the passing attack, Chris Jacquemain has struggled at times this season, but the quarterback has thrown for 1,826 yards and 14 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. In the recent win over Eastern Michigan, the Zips used a heavy dose of their ground game, as the squad racked up 339 yards on 8.1 ypc. Kennedy was outstanding in the victory, rushing for a whopping 277 yards and three touchdowns. Jacquemain was also impressive in the win, throwing for 208 yards and two scores on 11-of-19 passing.

The defense has been the downfall for Akron this season as the unit is being abused for 405.5 total ypg, and that has led to 28.2 ppg. The major issue for the Zips has been their inability to stop the run, as teams are gashing this defense for 211.2 ypg on the ground. Fortunately Akron has been able to make big plays, forcing 20 turnovers on the year, but the unit has struggled to pressure the quarterback, collecting only eight sacks thus far. Although the Zips were victorious against EMU, the defense still surrendered 440 total yards, including 182 yards on the ground. Jalil Carter led the way in the win with 10 tackles, while Mike Thomas added nine stops, 2.5 TFLs and also recovered a fumble.

The Zips have surprisingly struggled at home this season, but Akron is too explosive offensively and should be able to run right past the Rockets this Wednesday.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Akron 31, Toledo 28

Wednesday, November 5th, 8:00 p.m. (et)