FACTS & STATS: Site: Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium (42,000) -- Louisville, Kentucky. Television: Local. Home Record: MT 2-1, Louisville 2-2. Away Record: MT 0-3, Louisville 1-0. Neutral Record: MT 0-0, Louisville 0-0. Conference Record: MT 1-3, Louisville 0-1. Series Record: Louisville leads, 2-0.

GAME NOTES: Non-Conference action will take place this Saturday afternoon at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium, as the Louisville Cardinals will host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The Blue Raiders are coming off a tough, 31-21 setback to Florida International this past weekend. It was the third loss in the last four games for MT, and also dropped the team's road ledger to 0-3 on the season. As for the Cardinals, they pushed their record to 3-2 on the year with a 35-28 victory over Memphis this past Friday. The Cardinals are 2-2 at home this season, but over the previous four campaigns the team's ledger at Cardinal Stadium was an outstanding 21-2. The Cardinals have won both matchups with Middle Tennessee and that includes a thrilling, 58-42 win over the Blue Raiders last season at Cardinal Stadium.

The offense for Middle Tennessee has had trouble throughout the season, and it shows in the team's inability to produce points, as the Blue Raiders are posting a mere 17.3 ppg. The ground game has been horrendous, amassing just 83.8 ypg, but fortunately the passing attack has done much better, accounting for 241.2 ypg. Quarterback Joe Craddock has been mediocre, throwing for 1,369 yards and just seven touchdowns against five interceptions. Shockingly the Blue Raiders' passing attack struggled in the their recent loss to FIU, as the team finished with just 72 yards through the air. Overall the team finished with a mere 243 yards and committed three turnovers in the loss. Dwight Dasher finished with just 47 yards through the air, and also tossed an interception, while Craddock threw for a mere 25 yards and was picked off twice.

The Blue Raiders have also stumbled onto some problems defensively, as the team is being abused for 358.5 total ypg, and that has led to 23.3 ppg. The team has been inconsistent against the run and pass, allowing the opposition to rush for 137.8 ypg, while throwing for another 220.7 ypg. The defense has been able to force 15 turnovers on the season, but the front line has been unable to pressure the quarterback, racking up just eight sacks on the year. MTU only allowed 335 total yards this past weekend against FIU, but the defense still allowed 31 points in the setback. Jeremy Kellem led the way in the setback with 11 tackles and also forced a fumble, while Danny Carmichael tallied nine stops.

Unlike their counterpart the Cardinals possess a very balanced offensive attack, beginning with a ground game that rumbles for 203.4 ypg on 5.1 ypc. The passing attack has been decent, as Louisville is producing 204.6 ypg through the air. Victor Anderson is currently pacing the Cardinals on the ground with 502 yards and five scores on the season, while Brock Bolen has chipped in with 249 yards and two TDs. Unfortunately Hunter Cantwell has not been as productive under center, as the quarterback has thrown for just 1,009 yards and seven scores against six interceptions. This past weekend against Memphis, the Cardinals only tallied 299 total yards, but still ended with 35 points and a victory. The majority of the team's success in the win came from the ground game, which churned out 166 yards on 5.5 ypc. Anderson paced the team with 81 yards, while Bolen tallied 56 yards on 10 carries.

There are some holes defensively for Louisville, as the team is allowing 24.0 ppg. The Cardinals are holding teams to just 297.8 total ypg, but the major of the trouble for this unit has come against the pass, as opponents are torching Louisville's defensive backfield for 215.2 ypg. Out of the 11 touchdowns surrendered by this defense, eight have come via the pass. Another area where this team has struggled has been pressuring the quarterback, as the Cardinals have racked up just seven sacks thus far. The defense played a huge role in the win over Memphis this past weekend, despite allowing 481 total yards. The Cardinals forced three turnovers in the win, and one was returned by Johnny Patrick for a 21-yard touchdown. Dan Covington had a strong showing in the win, grabbing 14 tackles, while Woodny Turenne added 10 stops to go along with one interception.

The Cardinals have defeated the Blue Raiders in two previous meetings, and should have no trouble making it three in a row. Louisville is far too dangerous offensively, and should score early and often in this matchup.