FACTS & STATS: Site: Floyd Stadium (30,788) -- Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Television: None. Home Record: Virginia 3-0, Middle Tennessee 1-1. Away Record: Virginia 1-1, Middle Tennessee 0-3. Neutral Record: Virginia 0-0, Middle Tennessee 0-0. Conference Record: Virginia 3-0, Middle Tennessee 1-1. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Virginia Cavaliers invade Floyd Stadium for a non-conference clash with the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee, in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Middle Tennessee could not have picked a worse time to face the Cavaliers, who are coming off a convincing 44-14 win over Pittsburgh. Virginia enters the game on the cusp of a four-game win streak, the program's longest win streak in three years. The Cavs are off to a perfect 3-0 start in ACC play. Last season's Sun Belt Conference Champions, the Blue Raiders finally notched their first win of the year last weekend in a 47-6 dismantling of Florida International. The 47 points were the most scored under second-year coach Rick Stockstill. It was the kind of offensive performance Stockstill has been looking for from his offense, which boasts a talented quarterback-running back tandem in Dwight Dasher and DeMarco McNair.

Quarterback Jameel Sewell is more of a game manager than a game breaker for Virginia. Case in point: the Cavs rank 103rd in the nation in passing offense (169.8 ypg), but during the team's four-game win streak, Sewell has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions. Credit is due to the offensive linemen, who have not allowed a sack of Sewell in the last two games. The offense filters through running back Cedric Peerman, who lead's the ACC in rushing with 113 ypg. He has been a big part of the win streak, averaging 137 rushing yards in each of the last four games.

The Cavaliers' special teams cannot be overlooked. Vic Hall leads the nation in punt returns, averaging 23.3 yards per try, while punter Ryan Weigand leads the nation with a punting average of 48.1 yards. Statistically, the Cavaliers rank near the middle of the ACC in most defensive categories. The team has been rather solid against the run, allowing only 114.2 yards per game. Jon Copper leads the unit with 37 tackles and two sacks. The Virginia defense gets plenty of production from defensive ends Chris Long (six sacks) and Jeffrey Fitzgerald (three sacks).

Blue Raiders quarterback Dasher leads the SBC in passing efficiency, and he is coming off a big game last week. In the win over FIU, he threw three touchdown passes and ran for another two. The team uses the tandem of Phillip Tanner and DeMarco McNair in the backfield. Tanner is the big-play threat, averaging 6.2 ypc, while McNair leads the team with four rushing touchdowns. Despite their efforts, and the added legs of Dasher (40 rushing yards per game), the Blue Raiders rank 96th in the nation in rushing offense. The unit is putting up 311 yards of total offense per game, which ranks 102nd in the nation.

The Middle Tennessee defense has not held up its end of the bargain. The Blue Raiders are letting up an average of 31 ppg, a figure that somehow leads the SBC at the moment. The defense has been gashed against the run, allowing 209.6 ypg on the ground. However, the Blue Raiders turned a corner last week by holding FIU to eight first downs and 145 yards of total offense for the game. Holding the Cavs to such numbers is highly unlikely, nevertheless the Middle Tennessee defense is brimming with confidence.

The good vibes from their first win likely won't last very long for the Blue Raiders, who are facing a hot Virginia squad. They can expect a heavy dose of Peerman this week and a lopsided loss as a result.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Virginia 45, Middle Tennessee 17