FACTS & STATS: Site: Doyt L. Perry Stadium (23,529) -- Bowling Green, Ohio. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Akron 1-1, BGSU 2-1. Away Record: Akron 1-4, BGSU 2-3. Neutral Record: Akron 1-0, BGSU 0-0. Conference Record: Akron 2-2, BGSU 2-2. Series Record: Bowling Green leads, 8-7.

GAME NOTES: Two teams trying to get back on track will collide this Friday evening at Doyt. L Perry Stadium, as the Bowling Green Falcons host the Akron Zips in a Mid-American Conference showdown. The Zips have struggled over the past month, losing three of their last four games, including two in a row. This past weekend Akron found itself on the wrong end of a 26-10 verdict against Buffalo. Since the beginning of last season the Zips have been atrocious on the road, posting a terrible 2-10 ledger. As for the Falcons, they have also dropped three of their last four contests, including a rough 38-27 setback to Ohio this past weekend. BGSU has done a solid job against conference opponents since the 2004-05 season, posting a 16-12 record. The Falcons have a slim 8-7 edge in the all-time series against Akron, however the Zips have won the last two encounters, including a 35-28 win over BGSU this past season.

The Zips have been horrible offensively on the season, as the team is producing a meager 293.4 total ypg. The team's struggles continued this past weekend as the Zips were held to just 10 points in a road loss to Buffalo. Akron only compiled 327 total yards of offense, including a mere 185 yards via the pass. Chris Jacquemain continues to have problems under center, as the quarterback completed only 19-of-37 passes for 185 yards and two interceptions. Jacquemain has completed 58 percent of his passes on the season, but in eight games the signal-caller has just 1,100 yards and eight scores against six INTs. Unfortunately the rushing attack has been just as woeful, as the squad is posting a mere 112.6 ypg on the ground. The top back for Akron has been Bryan Williams, who has 439 rushing yards on 95 carries (4.6 ypc). In the loss to Buffalo, Williams was once again the main threat out of the backfield, rushing for 87 yards on 21 totes, but the lone touchdown came from fellow back Alex Allen, who posted 41 yards on 12 attempts.

There has been one major issue for Akron's defensive unit and that has been the team's inability to stop the run, as the unit is being abused for 185.1 ypg. Overall Akron is surrendering 383.6 total ypg and that has led to 28.4 ppg allowed. In the loss to Buffalo, the defensive unit did its job, holding the Bulls to just 280 total yards. Akron yielded 155 rushing yards, but on a whopping 51 carries. Unfortunately the unit did not force a turnover in the contest, but finished the game with three sacks. Akron has done a mediocre job in both areas this season, as the team has forced 17 miscues, while collecting 16 sacks. Where this unit has struggled this season is inside its own 20-yard line, as opponents are converting on 86 percent of their red zone chances.

The Falcons are without question a one-dimensional offense, as the team accumulates most of its yardage via the pass. BGSU steps into this matchup averaging 300.0 ypg through the air, while churning out a meager 101.4 ypg on the ground. In the recent setback to Ohio, the Falcons continued to use their passing attack, unfortunately the air show was not enough to get BGSU past Ohio. Tyler Sheehan did struggle a bit in the loss, completing just 19-of-41 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. The signal-caller also tossed one interception and was sacked twice. Despite the less than impressive outing, Sheehan has done a solid job under center for BGSU, completing 62.3 percent of his attempts for 2,152 yards and 15 scores against 10 INTs. His main target has been Freddie Barnes, who leads the team with 52 receptions, 593 yards and six scores. Barnes continued his sensational year this past weekend when he hauled in eight passes for 89 yards and one score. The ground game however, has been a completely different story as the unit is virtually nonexistent this year. Willie Geter, who rushed for 90 yards in the loss to Ohio, currently leads the Falcons with just 380 rushing yards overall.

Ugly is the best way to describe the play of the Falcons defensively. After eight games, BGSU is being abused for 427.8 total ypg, which has led to a whopping 34.4 ppg. The biggest issue for this unit has come against the run, as the team is being gashed for 215.9 ypg. Those problems against the run continued this past weekend, as BGSU was embarrassed for 264 yards and three scores on the ground. Overall the unit surrendered 430 total yards, and forced just one turnover in the contest, while collecting just one sack. Surprisingly the team has performed well in both areas, forcing 18 turnovers on the season, while grabbing 16 sacks. Unfortunately, the defense has not had the same success on third downs, as opponents are converting 46 percent of their attempts. John Haneline has been one of the few bright spots for this unit, as the linebacker has collected 91 tackles to go along with five TFLs and one sack.

Bowling Green has struggled defensively this season, but this weekend the unit should have a strong showing as the Zips come into this matchup with no identity offensively. Expect a hard fought game, but BGSU should continue its success against league opponents.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Bowling Green 31, Akron 17