FACTS & STATS: Site: Dix Stadium (30,200) -- Kent, Ohio. Television: ESPN360. Home Record: Temple 1-2, KSU 1-2. Away Record: Temple 2-4, KSU 1-4. Neutral Record: Temple 0-0, KSU 0-1. Conference Record: Temple 2-3, KSU 1-4. Series Record: Series is tied, 1-1.

GAME NOTES: Two struggling Mid-American Conference teams clash this Wednesday evening, when the Kent State Golden Flashes take on the Temple Owls at Dix Stadium. It has been a tough season for the Owls thus far, as the team has lost six of its nine contests, and four of those setbacks have come by single- digit margins. The last time Temple was on the field the team suffered another heartbreaking defeat, falling to Navy, 33-27 in overtime. Although the Owls have just three victories on the year, two of those wins have come on the road. As for the Golden Flashes, they have endured a very troubling season, losing seven of their nine matchups, including a 45-30 setback to Bowling Green back on November 1st. Since the beginning of the 2007 campaign, the Flashes have been terrible in league action, posting a 2-11 mark against conference foes. This will be the third ever meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. The last time these two teams collide was last year in Philadelphia and the Owls were victorious by a 24-14 margin.

Temple's inability to find consistent success is due to the lackluster efforts of the offensive unit, which is producing just 268.7 total ypg, and that has led to just 17.9 ppg. The ground game has been atrocious, as the Owls are rushing for a mere 95.0 ypg on a meager 2.8 ypc. Kee-ay Griffin has only rushed the ball 69 times this season, but the tailback leads the team with 284 yards and four touchdowns. The passing attack has not been much better, as Adam DiMichele has thrown for just 1,039 yards. DiMichele, who missed time with an arm injury, has completed 60.0 percent of his throws, but has only nine TDs against three interceptions. The top option has been Bruce Francis, as the wideout is pacing the team with 33 receptions, 514 yards and eight scores. Although the Owls suffered a loss to Navy, DiMichele was outstanding in the contest, throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Once again Francis was the main target, hauling in five passes for 151 yards and two TDs.

The poor play by the offensive unit has overshadowed the strong showing by the Owl defense, which is limiting teams to just 19.8 ppg. The one area where the team has struggled is against the run, as opponents are pounding out 158.8 ypg and have scored 12 touchdowns via the run. Fortunately the defense has been able to force 19 turnovers, but pressuring the quarterback has been a problem, as Temple has collected just 15 sacks on the year. Temple's issues against the run continued in the team's recent loss to Navy, as the Midshipmen gashed the Owls for 293 yards and three touchdowns on 5.1 ypc. The defense only forced one turnover in the loss, and was unable to get to the quarterback once. Alex Joseph paced the team with 13 tackles, while Jaiquawn Jarrett recorded 10 stops to go along with an interception.

The success for Kent State is due to the strong play of quarterback Julian Edelman. The senior signal caller is the main reason for the team's 25.4 ppg and 395.9 total ypg. Edelman is currently pacing the team with 951 rushing yards and 10 scores, while Eugene Jarvis has been the top running back, posting 451 yards and five scores. Unfortunately Edelman has not been as consistent with his arm, completing just 54.1 percent of his throws. The quarterback has just 1,348 yards on the season, but has thrown just 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. The last time KSU was on the field, the team suffered a 15-point setback to Bowling Green. Although the Flashes were defeated, Edelman was still sensational, rushing for 170 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing for another 219 yards and two more scores.

The Flashes' failures this season can be pinned on the performance of the defense, which is surrendering 400.7 total ypg, and 31.0 ppg. The main problem for this unit has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are rushing for 189.2 ypg, and out of the 34 touchdowns allowed by KSU, 25 have come via the run. Making big plays has also been a problem for KSU, as the team has forced just 17 turnovers, while collecting only 13 sacks. Kent State's issues against the run continued the last time the Flashes took the field, as Bowling Green gashed KSU's front line for 261 rushing yards and four scores on 5.7 ypc. Brian Lainhart grabbed 11 tackles and one interception in the loss, while Dan Hartman added 11 stops.

The only source of production for KSU has been Edelman, and if Temple can hold down the Flashes' quarterback, then the Owls will have a strong chance of grabbing a road win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Temple 34, Kent State 31

Wednesday, November 12th, 8:00 p.m. (et)