FACTS & STATS: Site: L.T. Smith Stadium (23,000) -- Bowling Green, Kentucky. Television: Local. Home Record: MT 3-1, WKU 1-3. Away Record: MT 0-5, WKU 1-5. Neutral Record: MT 0-0, WKU 0-0. Conference Record: MT 2-3, WKU 0-0. Series Record: Middle Tennessee leads, 29-28-1.

GAME NOTES: The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will take to the road this Saturday when they battle the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at L.T. Smith Stadium. The Blue Raiders have not had much success this season, but the team was able to snap a three-game losing skid this past weekend, grabbing a thrilling, 24-21 victory over UL-Monroe and pushing its league mark to 2-3 on the year. MT has not enjoyed much success outside of Murfreesboro, losing all five games away from home. As for the Hilltoppers, they have struggled for most of the season, losing eight of their 10 contests. WKU comes into this game in the midst of a six-game skid, and the last time the team took the field the Hilltoppers were defeated 17-7 by Troy. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools on the gridiron, the Blue Raiders have won eight of the last 11 and now hold a slim, 29-28-1 lead over Western Kentucky.

The Blue Raiders are not a high-powered offensive unit, and head into this matchup averaging a mere 19.2 ppg. MT has relied heavily on its passing attack all year, and is currently producing 243.8 ypg through the air. Joe Craddock has not been overpowering, but the quarterback has managed the game well, completing 63.4 percent of his throws. In nine games, the signal caller has thrown for 1,972 yards and 10 scores against five interceptions. The last time MT was on the field, the team once again relied on the passing attack, throwing for 278 yards and two scores en route to the three-point win. Craddock threw for 216 yards and one score, while back up quarterback Dwight Dasher tossed one score on 3-of-6 passing and 62 yards.

Defensively the Blue Raiders are allowing 372.9 total ypg, but the main problem for this unit has come against the run, as opponents are rumbling for 164.3 ypg. Out of the 28 touchdowns allowed by Middle Tennessee, 17 have come via the run. The defense has been able to force 18 turnovers thus far, but pressuring the quarterback has been a problem, as the team has collected only 13 sacks on the year. The last time MT was on the field, the defense was abused, allowing 448 total yards, but despite the poor showing the Blue Raiders walked away with a three-point win. Once again the main issue was the run, as ULM gashed the Blue Raiders for 236 rushing yards and one touchdown. Danny Carmichael led the team with nine tackles in the win, and also recorded a sack.

The Hilltoppers' transition into the Football Subdivision has been a rough one, as the team is averaging 297.2 total ypg, and that has led to just 19.7 ppg. The ground game has been the main source of production for this unit, as the team is rushing for 161.7 ypg, and out of the 23 touchdowns scored by WKU, 15 have come via the run. Tyrell Hayden has rushed for 347 yards and three scores for WKU, while quarterback David Wolke has added 295 yards and three more TDs. Unfortunately Wolke has only thrown for 927 yards and seven scores, but has also tossed seven interceptions. The offensive woes for WKU continued in the team's recent setback to Troy, as the squad posted just 216 total yards. Quarterback Brandon Smith led the team with 43 yards and one touchdown, but struggled with his arm, completing just 10-of-22 passes for 56 yards. The signal caller also tossed an interception and was sacked four times.

On top of the poor offensive play, the WKU defense has also struggled, allowing 375.5 total ypg, and that has led to 27.8 ppg. The main issue for this unit has been its inability to stop the run, as opposing teams are pounding WKU for 170.5 ypg on 4.7 ypc. The Hilltoppers have also struggled to make big plays, forcing just 16 turnovers, while collecting only 17 sacks. In the 10-point loss to Troy, the defense had no answer for the Trojans' aerial assault, allowing 298 yards and two scores through the air. Overall the defense allowed 429 yards, but did hold Troy to a mere 2-for-6 inside the red zone. Mark Santoro led the way with 11 tackles in the loss, while Travis Watters added nine stops to go along with one forced fumble.

The Blue Raiders have not enjoyed much offensive success and have been down right dreadful on the road. However, Middle Tennessee should still prove too tough for the Hilltoppers in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Middle Tennessee 20, Western Kentucky 14

Saturday, November 15th, 1:00 p.m. (et).