FACTS & STATS: Site: Peden Stadium (24,000) -- Athens, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: Akron 1-4, Ohio 1-3. Away Record: Akron 4-1, Ohio 1-5. Neutral Record: Akron 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: Akron 3-3, Ohio 1-5. Series Record: Akron leads, 12-11-1.

GAME NOTES: The Akron Zips will close out their regular season on the road, beginning with an afternoon tilt this Saturday at Peden Stadium against the Ohio Bobcats in a good old fashion Mid-American Conference tussle. The Zips have been up and down throughout the season, which is why the team enters this matchup with an even 5-5 slate. The last time Akron was on the field the team suffered a heart-breaking loss to Buffalo. The contest against the Bulls went into four overtimes and finished with Akron on the wrong side of a 43-40 final. As for the Bobcats, they have lost eight games this season, including three in a row. The last time Ohio was on the field the team was defeated convincingly by Bowling Green, 28-3. It was the third loss at home for Ohio, which fell to 1-5 in league play. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, this has been a tight rivalry with the Zips holding a slim, 12-11-1 edge over Ohio. However, despite being down in the overall series, the Bobcats are 8-3 against Akron in Athens.

The Zips possess one of the more balanced attacks in the MAC, and head into this contest averaging an impressive 405.5 total ypg and that has led to an equally strong 31.2 ppg. Dennis Kennedy has been a monster in the backfield for Akron, as the tailback is leading the team with 1,045 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Not to be overlooked is the play of Chris Jacquemain, as the quarterback has thrown for 2,347 yards and 19 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. In the four-overtime loss to Buffalo, the Zips racked up an impressive 474 total yards, but it was not good enough to lead Akron to a win. Kennedy was outstanding, finishing with 142 yards and three scores, while Jacquemain also performed at a high level, throwing for 295 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-38 passing.

Unfortunately the defense has not been able to hold up its end of the bargain, as the Zips are being abused for 409.0 total ypg, and 29.9 ppg. The squad has struggled against the run and pass, surrendering 200.7 ypg and 16 scores on the ground, while also allowing 208.3 ypg and 21 touchdowns through the air. Surprisingly the defense has forced 21 turnovers on the year, but pressuring the quarterback has been a problem, as the unit has racked up just nine sacks. Unfortunately the defense was once again the reason for the Zips loss, as the unit was dismantled for 476 total yards, including 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Doug Williams led Akron with 15 tackles in the loss, while Mike Thomas and Almondo Sewell both collected 13 stops in the contest.

The struggles for Ohio this season can be attributed to the lack of success for the offense, as the Bobcats enter this game averaging just 350.8 total ypg, which has led to just 19.9 ppg. The majority of the success has come from the passing attack, which is producing 238.3 ypg. However, Boo Jackson has not exactly been consistent under center, as the signal caller has thrown for just 1,943 yards and 11 scores against 11 interceptions. Once again the offense came up short, as the team posted just 228 total yards in the 28-3 setback to Bowling Green. Ohio finished with just 40 rushing yards on 1.4 ypc, while the passing attack also struggled. Jackson completed just 6-of-16 throws for 96 yards, and also tossed two interceptions in the loss.

The poor offensive performance has taken away from a defensive unit that has put forth a consistent effort each week. Ohio is only allowing 344.3 total ypg, and that has led to 25.9 ppg. The only real problem for this unit has come against the run, as the opposition is pounding Ohio for 166.0 rushing ypg, and out of the 31 touchdowns surrendered by Ohio, 17 have come via the run. The defense has also been unable to make big plays, racking up just 17 turnovers, while collecting 17 sacks. In the recent matchup with BGSU, the defense did what it could, holding the Falcons to just 322 total yards, but despite the solid effort, Ohio finished with another setback. Surprisingly the defense was torched through the air, allowing 229 yards and three scores. Ohio did not force a turnover in the contest, and also allowed the Falcons to convert on all three red zone chances.

Usually the home team always has an advantage, but that might not be the case in this matchup. Ohio has been terrible at home this season, while the Zips have flourished away from Akron. It Ohio cannot produce points this could be another long day for Bobcat fans.