FACTS & STATS: Site: Waldo Stadium (30,200) -- Kalamazoo, Michigan. Television: None. Home Record: Ohio 1-1, WMU 2-0. Away Record: Ohio 0-3, WMU 2-1. Neutral Record: Ohio 0-0, WMU 0-0. Conference Record: Ohio 0-1, WMU 2-0. Series Record: Western Michigan leads, 29-28-1.

GAME NOTES: The Western Michigan Broncos will try to remain undefeated in Mid- American Conference action when they host the Ohio Bobcats this Saturday at Waldo Stadium. The Bobcats opened their season with four consecutive losses, but the team finally found the win column this past weekend with a 51-31 victory over VMI. Since the 2005 season, the Bobcats have posted a meager 8-14 ledger on the road, and that includes the team's 0-3 mark away from home this year. After this contest the Bobcats will remain on the road to take on Kent State. As for the Broncos, they opened with a 47-24 loss to Nebraska, but since then the team has won four consecutive games, including a hard fought 7-3 win over Temple this past weekend. WMU has two victories at Waldo Stadium this season, equaling the team's total from last year. The Broncos hold a slim 29-28-1 edge over Ohio in the all-time series, but the Bobcats were victorious in the last meeting, defeating WMU, 27-20.

The Bobcats had their best offensive showing this past weekend, as the team racked up an impressive 575 total yards, turning that into 51 points. The Bobcats dominated with a strong ground game (251 yards), and also had an easy time through the air, throwing for 324 yards. It was a surprising performance for Ohio's ground game, which is only producing 117.4 ypg. Donte Harden led the charge with 142 yards and a touchdown, and now has a team-best 274 rushing yards in five games. Boo Jackson also had a strong performance, as the quarterback threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns. It was clearly the best game for Jackson since taking over under center, as the signal caller has thrown for 990 yards and six scores in five games. Overall, Ohio is averaging a solid 372.2 total ypg, and that has led to 24.2 ppg.

Unfortunately the defense did not play well in the win, as the Bobcats surrendered 436 total yards, including a whopping 339 yards via the run. Stopping the run has been a huge problem for Ohio all season, as the team is surrendering 175.6 ypg. The Bobcats have been able to collect 10 turnovers this year, but they have struggled to put pressure on the quarterback, racking up just six sacks in five games. In the win over VMI, the Bobcats were able to force two takeaways, but their inability to get to the quarterback continued, as Ohio finished with just one sack. Noah Keller was all over the field in the victory, racking up an impressive 15 tackles. Michael Brown added 11 stops and also recovered a fumble.

The Broncos have stampeded their opponents over the past few weeks and come into this matchup averaging 414.2 total ypg and 30.4 ppg. The ground game is churning out 138.2 ypg, but the main source of production has been the passing attack which is producing 276.0 ypg through the air. Tim Hiller has been outstanding for WMU, completing 69.4 percent of his passes for 1,354 yards, with 15 touchdowns against three interceptions. Jamarko Simmons and Branden Ledbetter have been the top two options downfield, as Simmons is posting 394 yards and four scores on 35 catches, while Ledbetter currently has 267 yards and four scores on 27 receptions. Pacing the rushing attack has been Brandon West, who has rumbled for 467 yards and three scores on 5.8 ypc. In the recent win over Temple, the Broncos only scored seven points, but it was enough to grab a victory over the Owls. WMU tallied 288 total yards, with the majority coming from the passing attack, as Hiller threw for 252 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively the Broncos have suffered a bit, and are currently surrendering 364.8 total ypg, which has led to 22.2 ppg. WMU has been unable to stop the opposition's passing attack, as teams are throwing for 237.4 ypg and out of the 13 touchdowns allowed by this defense, nine have come via the pass. The defensive unit has struggled to force turnovers as well, collecting just seven takeaways thus far. However, the Broncos have done a solid job pressuring the quarterback, racking up 10 sacks in five games. WMU put forth its best effort this past weekend, as the squad limited Temple to just three points and 196 total yards. Boston McCornell led the defense with 10 tackles and also forced a fumble in the victory.

The Broncos are far too dangerous offensively, and should be able to rack up plenty of points against Ohio. The Bobcats might be able to find the end zone a few times, but the team has no chance of stopping WMU's offensive prowess.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Western Michigan 42, Ohio 21

Saturday, October 4th, 2:00 p.m. (et)