FACTS & STATS: Site: Infocision Stadium (30,000) -- Akron, Ohio. Television: FSN-Ohio, ESPN Game Plan. Home Record: KSU 3-2, Akron 1-2. Away Record: KSU 2-2, Akron 0-5. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Akron 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 4-1, Akron 0-4. Series Record: Akron leads, 29-20-2.

GAME NOTES: Still searching for their first league win, the Akron Zips will host the Kent State Golden Flashes in a Mid-American Conference battle at Infocision Stadium.

The Golden Flashes head into this contest fresh off a solid, 26-14 decision over Western Michigan on Saturday. It was the third straight win for KSU, which is currently 4-1 in MAC play. The Flashes will close out their regular season with an important meeting with Temple, followed by a home matchup against Buffalo.

As for the Zips, it has been a dismal season, as the team has dropped six of its seven matchups. The most recent loss for Akron was a 27-10 setback to Northern Illinois. It was the sixth straight loss for the Zips, who are now 0-4 in league play.

The Zips currently hold a comfortable 29-20-2 edge over Kent State in the all- time series and that includes a two-game winning streak for Akron.

The Golden Flashes have been anything but golden offensively, as the team comes into this matchup averaging just 21.3 ppg, but that has not stopped Kent State from racking up wins. A big reason for the success has been the emergence of Spencer Keith, who has thrown for 1,538 yards and 11 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Another player to move onto the radar has been wideout Tyshon Goode, who is currently leading the Flashes with 40 receptions, 553 yards and five touchdowns. The ground game has been slightly inconsistent this season, but Kent State is still producing enough with the run to keep defenses honest. Jacquise Terry has been the best option out of the backfield, as the tailback is pacing the squad with 752 yards and four scores. The last time KSU was in action the team relied heavily on the arm of Keith, who threw for 373 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdown passes went to Goode, who finished the game with 11 receptions and 198 yards. Terry was not overwhelming in the win, but the running back did manage to rumble for 90 yards on 23 carries.

With the offense putting up modest numbers, the defense has had to step up to the challenge of leading this team to victories, and so far this unit has done a commendable job. The Flashes are currently holding teams to just 20.6 ppg on just 347.3 total ypg. The defense has done a terrific job against the run throughout the season, limiting teams to just 118.1 ypg on a mere 3.2 yards per attempt. Where this unit has really excelled is pressuring the quarterback, as the team has racked up 30 sacks. The team has also been able to force plenty of miscues, as the Flashes have collected 11 interceptions and nine fumbles. In the Flashes' victory over Western Michigan on Saturday, the defense flexed its muscle, holding the Broncos to just 293 total yards, including just 38 rushing yards on 23 carries. Kent State forced just one turnover in the win, but was able to collect four sacks. Cobrani Mixon, who is leading the team with 89 tackles, added 10 stops to his resume in the victory over WMU.

The Zips' play offensively has been terrible to say the least, but a large reason for the team's lack of production is due to the fact Akron is currently on its third quarterback. The Zips began the year with Chris Jacquemain, but he was suspended from the team, and then the squad turned to Matt Rodgers, but he went down with a season-ending injury. Now Akron, which is posting just 17.2 ppg, is being led by its third option, Patrick Nicely. Nicely has been inconsistent since taking over under center, completing less than 50.0 percent of his throws for only 613 yards and one touchdown against two interceptions. The ground game has not been very helpful however, as the team is posting just 97.1 ypg on a mere 3.0 yards per attempt. Akron's inability to produce continued in the team's recent loss to Northern Illinois, as the Zips posted just 235 total yards. Nicely completed just 11-of-27 passes in the loss for 124 yards. Once again the ground game was bottled up, as the team finished with just 31 yards on a mere 1.3 yards per attempt.

When an offense is having trouble finding the end zone it does not help when the defense is allowing opponents to score virtually at will. The Zips are currently surrendering 26.5 ppg on the year, and are allowing teams to produce 350.0 ypg. Stopping the run has been a huge issue for the Zips, who are being gashed for 182.4 ypg on 4.4 ypc. Adding even more problems to the mix is the fact that this unit has a tough time coming up with big plays, as the team has forced just 13 miscues, and comes into this game with only six sacks. Akron's inability to stop the run was fully evident in the team's recent loss to Northern Illinois, as the Zips were gashed for 275 yards on 5.1 yards per carry. Akron allowed the Huskies to convert on 10-of-19 third downs in the contest, and also all four of their red zone attempts.

The Zips have enjoyed little success this season and even though the team is home, it is unlikely Akron's offense will be able to post enough points to get past a red-hot Kent State squad.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kent State 27, Akron 10

Saturday, November 7th, 3:30 p.m. (et)