FACTS & STATS: Site: Floyd Stadium(30,788) -- Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Television: None. Home Record: North Texas 0-4, MT 3-1. Away Record: North Texas 1-5, MT 1-5. Neutral Record: North Texas 0-0, MT 0-0. Conference Record: North Texas 0-5, MT 2-3. Series Record: North Texas leads, 5-2.

GAME NOTES: Still in search of their first Sun Belt Conference victory, the North Texas Mean Green will head to Murfreesboro to battle the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Floyd Stadium. It has been a horrendous season for North Texas, as the team enters this week's matchup with just one victory. The last time the Mean Green were on the field the team suffered a terrible, 46-13 setback to Florida Atlantic. The loss dropped North Texas to 1-5 on the road, and 0-5 in Sun Belt play. As for the Blue Raiders, they come into this meeting with a small two-game winning streak. The last time MT was on the field the team collected a solid, 21-10 victory over Western Kentucky. The Blue Raiders only have four victories on the year, but three of those wins have come at home. In terms of the all-time series on the gridiron, the Mean Green hold a 5-2 edge over MT. However, the Blue Raiders' two victories have come in the last two matchups.

Offensively the Mean Green have not done much to be considered a dangerous unit. In fact, North Texas heads into this matchup averaging just 19.9 ppg behind a mediocre 366.5 total ypg. The majority of the damage has been done by the passing attack, which is racking up 238.4 ypg through the air. Giovanni Vizza has completed 62.0 percent of his throws for 2,329 yards, but the quarterback has just 13 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. His favorite target has been Casey Fitzgerald, who is leading the team with 88 receptions, 902 yards and five touchdowns. In the recent setback to FAU, the offensive unit for North Texas struggled once again, posting 255 total yards. Vizza had a horrendous showing, completing just 13-of-23 passes for 125 yards, to go along with two interceptions. Even Fitzgerald was contained, as the wideout finished with just three receptions for 25 yards.

Unfortunately the defense has been worse than the offense, as the Mean Green are currently surrendering 490.9 total ypg, which has led to a whopping 48.6 ppg. The defense has struggled against the run, and the pass, allowing 206.0 ypg on the ground, while also surrendering 284.9 ypg through the air. North Texas has been unable to make many big play, forcing just 12 turnovers, while collecting just eight sacks. The unit had no answers for the Owls in the recent battle against FAU, as the Mean Green were demolished for 507 total yards. North Texas was punished for 256 yards on the ground, and also allowed 251 passing yards and four scores through the air. Tobe Nwigwe led the way for North Texas with nine stops and also collected an interception.

Just like their counterpart, the Blue Raiders have been dreadful offensively, racking up just 328.5 total ypg, which has led to an equally poor 19.4. ppg. The majority of the team's success has come from the pass, as MT is averaging 240.6 ypg through the air, and out of the 23 touchdowns scored by this unit, 15 have come via the pass. Joe Craddock has done a commendable job under center for the Blue Raiders, completing 63.6 percent of his throws for 2,184 yards. The signal caller comes into this matchup with 12 touchdowns and only five interceptions. In the recent matchup with Western Kentucky, the Blue Raiders only tallied 313 total yards, but it was good enough for MT to grab a victory. Craddock had a solid showing, throwing for 212 yards and two scores on 19-of-29 passing. Phillip Tanner even performed well out of the backfield, rushing for 92 yards and one score.

The lack of support from the offense has negated an otherwise strong effort from the Blue Raider defense. MT is allowing 363.7 total ypg, but that has led to just 24.4 ppg. The main problem for this unit has come against the run, as opponents are rushing for 154.7 ypg, and out of the 29 touchdowns surrendered by this defense, 17 have come on the ground. Fortunately the defense has forced 20 turnovers on the year, but pressuring the quarterback has been an issue, as the team has collected just 18 sacks. The defense was finally rewarded for its terrific play against WKU, as the offense scored enough points to grab a win. The defense did its job, limiting the Hilltoppers to just 281 total yards, while also forcing two turnovers, and collecting five sacks.

The glaring difference between the two schools is defense. The Mean Green have been unable to stop a single opponent, while the Blue Raiders have put forth a consistent effort almost every weekend. Look for MT to ride its defense to another win.