FACTS & STATS: Site: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium (68,349) -- Columbia, Missouri. Television: None. Home Record: WMU 0-1, Missouri 0-0. Away Record: WMU 0-1, Missouri 1-0. Neutral Record: WMU 0-0, Missouri 1-0. Conference Record: WMU 0-0, Missouri 0-0. Series Record: Missouri leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Missouri Tigers will try to remain undefeated on the season when they host the Western Michigan Broncos this Saturday afternoon from Memorial Stadium. It has been a rough start to the season for Western Michigan, as the squad has opened its new campaign with back-to-back losses. The first setback was an embarrassing, 62-24 loss to West Virginia, which was followed by a tough 37-27 setback to Indiana. WMU will have one more out of conference contest next weekend, before finally opening its MAC schedule on the road against Toledo. As for the Tigers, this weekend's contest will be the team's home-opener. Mizzou has done well in previous home-openers, winning eight of its last 10 and more importantly, posting an 82-30-4 ledger in its history. The Tigers opened this campaign with a hard-fought, 40-34 victory over Illinois, then went on the road to defeated Ole Miss 38-25 this past weekend. This will be just the second-ever meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. The only previous matchup took place back in 1999 and the final verdict was a 48-34 victory over the Tigers.

Western Michigan has been a one trick pony in the early stages of the season. WMU is currently producing 330.5 total ypg, however the majority of those yards have come via the pass (299.5). In the recent setback to Indiana, the Broncos once again relied heavily on the pass, as the team threw for 354 of its 384 total yards. Quarterback Tim Hiller threw for a whopping 343 yards and also had three touchdowns in the loss to Indiana. However, the signal caller completed just 28-of-51 passes and was sacked seven times. Hiller has done a mediocre job at best thus far for WMU, as the QB has thrown for just 503 yards to go along with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Despite Hiller's sometimes inconsistent play, wide out Jamarko Simmons has done an excellent job as the main target, as the junior is leading the squad with 28 receptions for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately the Broncos have not been able to get their ground game in motion, as the squad is averaging just 31 ypg. Brandon West has just 65 rushing yards after two games and that is the best for WMU at this moment.

The Broncos defensive unit has been abused to start the season, as the team is surrendered 49.5 ppg, while allowing opponents to accumulate 492 total yards per contest. The biggest issue for WMU has come against the run as the squad is being torched for a whopping 268.5 ypg. Those woes continued this past week, as the defense was abused for 221 rushing yards by the Hoosiers. The Broncos surrendered 442 total yards and allowed Indiana to collected 22 first downs. It was a rough outing for this unit, as the Broncos forced just one turnover, while only recording one sack. WMU also allowed Indiana to convert on 4-of-6 redzone chances and 8-of-21 third down attempts. Dustin Duclo finished with an impressive 13 tackles and two TFLs in the loss, while C.J. Wilson also added 13 stops. Both players now lead the defense with 19 tackles apiece.

Just like their counterpart, the Tigers have been more of a passing team in 2007. However, Missouri also has a successful ground attack that is averaging 144 ypg. Tony Temple has done a nice job moving the chains, as the tailback is rushing for 78 ypg. However, the ground attack is simply there to setup Chase Daniel and the Tigers' passing assault. In just two contests, the signal caller has thrown for 689 total yards and eight scores against zero interceptions. Daniel has plenty of targets in his arsenal, however, the best of the bunch is probably Will Franklin, who currently has 12 receptions for 151 yards and three scores. In the victory over Ole Miss these two players were at it once again, as Missouri's pass attack collected 330 yards. As a whole, Missouri racked up 548 total yards, but the game was won on the arm of Daniel, who completed 31- of-42 passes and tossed five touchdowns. As for Franklin, he recorded a game- high eight catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Unfortunately the defensive unit has not had the same success, in fact, it has been down right atrocious. Missouri is allowing 29.5 ppg thus far, and has also allowed the opposition to accumulate 484.5 total yards per contest. The defense struggled again in the win over Ole Miss, as the unit surrendered a whopping 534 total yards. The Tigers were abused on the ground, as well as through the air, as the team allowed 305 passing yards and another 229 yards via the run. The defense was able to force two turnovers in the contest but recorded just one sack and allowed Ole Miss to convert on 3-of-4 red-zone chances. Cornelius Brown led the defense with 12 tackles in the win, while Brock Christopher added 10 stops to go along with one forced fumble.

Expect fireworks when the Tigers and Broncos collide this Saturday. Both WMU and Mizzou have tremendous offensive units, with less than stellar defensive squads. All that adds up to a high-scoring extravaganza, which in the end should go in favor of the Tigers.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Missouri 45, Western Michigan 35