FACTS & STATS: Site: Rice Stadium (47,000) -- Houston, Texas. Television: Local. Home Record: Marshall 3-2, Rice 4-0. Away Record: Marshall 1-4, Rice 3-3. Neutral Record: Marshall 0-0, Rice 0-0. Conference Record: Marshall 3-3, Rice 5-1. Series Record: Marshall leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Rice Owls will try to keep pace in the West Division of Conference-USA when they host the Marshall Thundering Herd this Saturday afternoon at Rice Stadium. The Herd have struggled throughout most of the season, and head into this game with five losses in their last six games. The last time Marshall was on the field the team was pounded by UCF, 30-14. Marshall is 3-3 in league action, but where this squad has suffered is on the road, as the team is 1-4 outside of Huntington. As for the Owls, they soar into this matchup riding a four-game winning streak. The last time Rice was in action the team grabbed a solid 38-31 victory over the Army Black Knights. The Owls are currently tied with Tulsa and Houston at 5-1 in the West Division, and will close out their regular season next weekend against Houston. Last year was the first time these two schools collided on the gridiron. In that matchup, the Thundering Herd got the better of Rice, 34-21.

It has been an up and down season for the Thundering Herd on offense as the team is averaging just 325.6 total ypg, and that has led to a pedestrian 20.1 ppg. Darius Marshall has been the main source of production out of the backfield, as the tailback is leading the team with 883 yards and five scores on the ground. Unfortunately quarterback Mark Cann has not enjoyed similar success, as the signal caller has completed less than 50.0 percent of his throws for 1,684 yards and 13 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. The last time Marshall was on the field the team put forth an awful effort, racking up just 229 total yards. Marshall was the lone bright spot in the 16-point loss to UCF, as the running back rushed for 142 yards on just 16 carries. As for Cann, he was horrendous, throwing for just 34 yards on 4-of-17 passing. Cann threw a touchdown in the loss, but was intercepted twice.

The defense for Marshall has been a huge problem throughout the season, as the team is surrendering 25.9 ppg. The team has been unable to stop the run or the pass, allowing 162.9 ypg on the ground, while surrendering another 241.6 ypg through the air. The defense has been unable to make many big plays, as the team has forced just 16 turnovers, while collecting only 17 sacks. The last time the Herd was on the field the team was pounded by UCF's ground game allowing 213 rushing yards and one score. The defense only forced one turnover in the loss and allowed UCF to convert on both of its red zone attempts. Mario Harvey led the way for Marshall with 14 tackles, while Corey Hart collected 11 stops and 2.5 TFLs.

The Owls have one of the most dangerous passing attack in the nation, as the team is averaging 322.6 ypg through the air, and out of the 51 touchdowns scored by Rice, 34 have come via the pass. Chase Clement has been outstanding all year, completing 66.8 percent of his throws for 3,116 yards. Clement has tossed 32 touchdowns on the year, while throwing just six interceptions. James Casey has hauled in 85 receptions on the year for 1,007 yards and nine scores, while Jarett Dillard comes into this matchup with 69 catches for 1,093 yards and 17 scores. Rice continued to torture the opposition in its recent matchup, racking up 517 yards in a seven-point win over Army. Clement threw for 384 yards and three touchdowns in the win, and also ran for 87 yards and another touchdown. Dillard grabbed just four passes, but finished with 144 yards and two scores in the win.

The defense for Rice has been atrocious throughout the season, as the team is being dominated for 36.7 ppg. The squad has struggled against the run and pass, allowing 199.0 ypg on the ground, while surrendering another 270.9 ypg through the air. Surprisingly the defense has forced 25 turnovers on the year, but has struggled pressuring the quarterback, racking up just 18 sacks on the year. In the recent matchup with Army, the Owls were gashed for 461 rushing yards and four scores. However, despite the pathetic display against the run, the Owls were able to grab a seven-point win.

The Owls have been pathetic defensively, but the team's passing attack will definitely be too much for the weak Marshall defense. Expect Clement to have another tremendous showing against the Thundering Herd.