FACTS & STATS: Site: Rynearson Stadium (30,200) -- Ypsilanti, Michigan. Television: None. Home Record: Ball State 0-4, EMU 0-3. Away Record: Ball State 0-3, EMU 0-3. Neutral Record: Ball State 0-0, EMU 0-0. Conference Record: Ball State 0-3, EMU 0-3. Series Record: Ball State leads, 28-20-2.

GAME NOTES: Something will have to give this Saturday afternoon when the winless Eastern Michigan Eagles host the winless Ball State Cardinals at Rynearson Stadium.

Nothing has gone right for the Cardinals this season, as the team has dropped its first seven games on the season. The most recent setback for Ball State was a tough, 31-17 loss to Bowling Green, which dropped the team to 0-3 in MAC play.

As for the Eagles, they also head into this matchup with zero wins on the year. Eastern Michigan has lost its first six games, including a 28-6 setback to Kent State this past weekend. The loss to the Golden Flashes left EMU with an 0-3 mark in league play, and also dropped the team's home ledger to 0-3 as well.

The Cardinals have won the last five meetings with Eastern Michigan, and now own a comfortable 28-20-2 advantage in the all-time series.

The Cardinals have enjoyed little success offensively this season, as the team is producing just 296.4 total ypg, and that has led to only 19.9 ppg. The team is only posting 121.6 ypg on the ground, and the passing attack has not been much better, as Kelly Page heads into this weekend with just 1,019 yards and seven touchdowns against nine interceptions. Page struggled in the team's recent loss to Bowling Green, completing just 4-of-9 passes for only 39 yards and an interception. Unfortunately Page injured his thumb in the matchup, and gave way to Tanner Justice, who was even worse under center, throwing for just 92 yards on 6-of-21 efficiency. Justice will likely have a chance to improve on his performance this weekend, as Page could be out of commission because of his injury. If that is the case, the Cardinals will need the ground game to repeat its performance from its matchup against BGSU. Against the Falcons, the Cardinals churned out 273 yards on 6.5 yards per attempt. MiQuale Lewis led the way with 115 yards on 18 totes, while Eric Williams added 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Unfortunately the defensive unit had no answer for Bowling Green's passing attack, as the Cardinals surrendered 376 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 14-point loss. Although the Cardinals were defeated, the team still put forth a strong showing against the run, limiting BGSU to just 79 yards on 3.3 yards per attempt. Stopping the pass has been a tremendous problem throughout the season for BSU, as the team is being torched for 253.7 ypg, and out of the 26 touchdowns allowed by this defense, 17 have come via the pass. Ball State has also lacked big play ability on the year and comes into this weekend with just nine takeaways (six fumbles and three interceptions), and only eight sacks. Surprisingly however, the defense has held the opposition to just 39 percent on third down attempts, and only 77 percent on red zone chances.

Much like their counterpart the Eagles have been atrocious offensively, and head into this weekend with just 269.7 total ypg, and that has translated to only 13.5 ppg. The team is posting just 124.8 ypg on the ground this year, and sadly enough the passing attack has been worse. Kyle McMahon, who is starting in place of the injured Andy Schmitt, has struggled, throwing for just 336 yards in three games. McMahon has yet to throw a touchdown pass, but has been intercepted twice. Eastern Michigan's offensive woes continued in the team's recent loss to Kent State, as the Eagles were limited to just 255 total yards. The ground game did most of the work for EMU, as the team churned out 180 yards on 4.0 yards per carry. DeAnthony White led the way with 73 yards, while Alex Gillett rushed for 72 yards on 11 totes. Gillett, who replaced an ineffective McMahon, also completed 5-of-8 passes for EMU for 45 yards. While on the field, McMahon only completed 5-of-10 passes for 30 yards and was intercepted once and sacked twice.

On top of the poor offensive play last weekend, the Eagles also struggled defensively against Kent State, as the team surrendered 28 points on 347 total yards. Eastern Michigan only allowed 195 yards through the air, but the team gave up three passing touchdowns. Eastern Michigan was gashed for 152 rushing yards in the setback, and stopping the run has been a huge problem area for this unit, as the team is being punished for 243.7 ypg on the ground, and out of the 26 touchdowns surrendered by this squad, 19 have come via the run. With the team's inability to stop the run, opponents have been able to convert on 44 percent of their third down attempts. Six games into the season and it is evident that the Eagles are unable to force many big plays defensively, as the team has racked up just nine turnovers and seven sacks.

Neither team has performed well offensively, so do not expect a high-scoring affair. Ball State however, does have a solid running back in Lewis and if the team can produce on the ground, look for the Cardinals to grab the win on the road.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ball State 24, Eastern Michigan 21

Saturday, October 24th, 1:00 p.m. (et)