FACTS & STATS: Site: Dix Stadium (25,000) -- Kent, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: WMU 1-3, KSU 2-2. Away Record: WMU 3-1, KSU 2-2. Neutral Record: WMU 0-0, KSU 0-0. Conference Record: WMU 3-2, KSU 3-1. Series Record: Western Michigan leads, 32-17-1.

GAME NOTES: The Western Michigan Broncos will try to continue their dominance over the Kent State Golden Flashes when the two teams meet this Saturday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference battle at Dix Stadium.

The Broncos have pounded KSU in the all-time series, winning 32 of the 50 meetings. This will be the first of three straight road games for Western Michigan, which heads into this contest fresh off a thrilling, 34-31 overtime victory over Buffalo on Saturday. It was the third conference victory for Western Michigan, which comes into this contest with a weak 1-3 mark on the road.

As for the Golden Flashes, they are coming off a 20-11 decision over Ohio this past weekend. It was the second straight win for Kent State, which is now 3-1 in MAC action. Over the previous four seasons, the Golden Flashes have struggled in league play, posting a 9-23 ledger.

The Broncos have clearly leaned heavily on the pass this season, as the team is torching opponents for 288.1 ypg. Overall, Western Michigan is producing 406.0 total yards per matchup, and that has translated into a solid 27.0 ppg. Tim Hiller has been one of the top quarterbacks in the MAC this year, as the signal caller has completed 62.4 percent of his throws for 2,254 yards and 15 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Hiller has enjoyed the presence of Robert Arnheim and Juan Nunez on the outside, as Arnheim is leading the team with 40 receptions and 448 yards, while Nunez has a team-best six touchdown receptions. However, Nunez is dealing with an injury, and could miss Saturday's matchup. The team's success through the air continued in the Broncos recent win over Buffalo, as Hiller threw for 350 yards and two touchdowns. Ansel Ponder grabbed 10 passes for 86 yards and collected both touchdowns, while Arnheim finished with seven receptions and 107 yards. Not to be overlooked is the play of Brandon West, who paced the team with 133 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and now has a team-high 763 yards and seven scores.

What has kept the Broncos from being a true force in the conference this year, has been the lack of success by the defense, which is surrendering 419.6 total ypg, and that has led to 27.0 ppg. Western Michigan is being gashed for 185.5 rushing ypg thus far, but the true problem for this squad has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are torching WMU for 234.1 ypg, and have thrown for 14 touchdowns against this unit. The Broncos do not possess much big play ability either, as the team has forced just 12 turnovers thus far, while recording only 11 sacks. In the team's recent win over Buffalo, the Broncos were able to grab the victory despite the play of the defense, which surrendered 31 points. Western Michigan was punished on the ground and through the air, as the Bulls were gashed for 214 rushing yards, and another 327 yards through the air. Western Michigan allowed the Bulls to convert on 3-of-4 red zone chances, but the defense was at least able to force two turnovers.

The Golden Flashes might be riding a small winning streak, but overall the team has been nothing special on offense, and heads into this weekend averaging a pedestrian 320.1 total ypg and that has led to only 20.8 ppg. Kent State is churning out 130.1 rushing ypg, which is a modest total, but the passing attack is where the team has suffered. The Golden Flashes have used a couple different quarterbacks on the season, but Spencer Keith has emerged as the team's starter and comes into this weekend with 1,165 yards and nine touchdowns against six interceptions. In the team's win over Ohio this past weekend, the Flashes actually totaled an impressive 372 yards against the Bobcats, and the majority of the damage was created by the passing attack. Keith, who has improved on a weekly basis, threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns in the win, and the most of the action went in the direction of Tyshon Goode, who finished the game with nine receptions for 105 yards and two TDs. Jacquise Terry handled the ground game for KSU, as the tailback rumbled for 110 yards on 31 totes. Terry is currently leading Kent State on the ground with 482 yards and three touchdowns.

What has kept the Flashes in most of their contests this season has been the play of the defense, which is allowing 353.9 total ypg, but that has led to a mere 21.4 ppg. Kent State has allowed 10 rushing touchdowns on the season, but the unit has played well against the run for the most part and is holding teams to just 128.1 ypg on a mere 3.4 yards per attempt. One of the main reasons for the success of this unit has been its ability to create game changing plays, as the defense has collected 19 takeaways (10 interceptions and nine fumbles). Also the front line has been outstanding in rushing the quarterback, and as a whole Kent State has collected 26 sacks. In the win over Ohio last Saturday, the Flashes were relentless, as the defense held Ohio to just 164 total yards. Kent State bottled up Ohio's ground game, limiting the team to negative nine yards on 29 carries. Kent State also grabbed three interceptions in the win, and finished the game with seven sacks.

The Flashes have relied heavily on their defense play, but the firepower of Western Michigan's passing attack might prove to be too tough for Kent State. Look for a tight matchup, but expect Western Michigan to grab a win on the road.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Western Michigan 27, Kent State 20

Saturday, October 31st, 2:00 p.m. (et)