FACTS & STATS: Site: UB Stadium (29,013) -- Buffalo, New York. Television: TWCSN. Home Record: Akron 1-2, Buffalo 1-2. Away Record: Akron 0-2, Buffalo 1-2. Neutral Record: Akron 0-0, Buffalo 0-0. Conference Record: Akron 0-2, Buffalo 0-2. Series Record: Akron leads, 8-2.

GAME NOTES: Two teams looking for their first league win will collide Saturday afternoon when the Buffalo Bulls host the Akron Zips in Mid-American Conference play at UB Stadium.

It has been a rough start to the season for the Zips, as the team has dropped four of their first five games, including three in a row. The last time Akron was in action the team suffered a 19-7 setback to Ohio. Last year the Zips went 4-3 on the road, but so far in 2009 the team is winless in two road matchups.

As for the Bulls, they snapped a four-game losing skid with a convincing, 40-3 decision over FCS foe Gardner-Webb. It was the first home win on the season for Buffalo, which opened the year with two setbacks at UB Stadium.

The Zips might lead the all-time series against Buffalo by an 8-2 margin, but the two victories for the Bulls came in the last two matchups, and that includes a thrilling 43-40 overtime decision last season.

Producing points has been a problem for the Zips this season, as the team is averaging a mere 19.4 ppg. The ground game has done very little, churning out just 122.4 ypg on a mere 3.4 yards per attempt. The passing attack has also struggled since Chris Jacquemain was dismissed from the team. Matt Rodgers has stepped in, but has been awful, throwing for just 405 yards and one score against six interceptions. The Zips racked up 349 total yards in the team's recent matchup against Ohio, but finished the game with just seven points. The ground game was paced by Rodgers, who rushed for 80 yards, while Joe Tuzze added 60 yards and one score on 14 totes. However, Rodgers struggled with his arm, completing just 10-of-19 passes for 89 yards and was also intercepted twice. On top of his poor play, Rodgers suffered a knee injury in the loss and is expected to miss the rest of the year. Patrick Nicely stepped in for the Zips, but finished with just 98 yards on 9-of-23 efficiency.

Along with the inconsistent performance offensively, the defensive unit for Akron has also dealt with plenty of problems. The Zips head into this weekend allowing 362.4 total ypg, and that has led to 27.2 ppg. A major problem for this team has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are netting 168.6 ypg on 4.4 yards per attempt. Forcing game-changing plays has also been a problem, as the team has collected just nine turnovers (six interceptions and three sacks), while posting two sacks. Although the Zips fell to Ohio on the Saturday, the defense did put forth a strong effort, holding the Bobcats to just 292 total yards. However, the team's struggles against the run continued, as the defense was gashed for 160 yards on 41 attempts.

The Bulls have been more consistent offensively, averaging 405.7 total ypg, but surprisingly that has led to just 22.2 ppg. The ground game is averaging 145.8 ypg, but the real success for this unit has been the passing attack, which is posting 259.8 ypg through the air, and out of the 17 touchdowns scored by this offense, 12 have come via the pass. Zach Maynard has done a terrific job in his first year under center for the Bulls, completing 64.1 percent of his throws for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, if there is one knock on the signal caller, it is his seven interceptions; a number he will need to limit. It does not hurt Maynard having three legitimate weapons to throw to, beginning with Naaman Roosevelt, who is leading the team with 40 receptions and 605 yards. Brett Hamlin has hauled in 35 catches for 444 yards, while Jesse Rack is pacing the team with five touchdown receptions. In the team's recent win over an inferior Gardner-Webb squad, Maynard threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns on 16-of-20 efficiency. Rack hauled in two of the touchdown passes, while Hamlin led the squad with six receptions and 132 yards.

Defensively the Bulls are limiting opponents to 330.5 total ypg, and while that is not a terrible figure, it has led to 25.7 ppg. The main area of trouble for this squad has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are gashing the Bulls for 151.7 ypg. The defense for Buffalo has also been unable to make many big plays and heads into this contest with just six takeaways (four fumbles and two interceptions), and only seven sacks. In the win Saturday, the defense put forth its best performance on the year. Buffalo held Gardner-Webb to just 214 total yards, including a mere 50 rushing yards on 2.0 yards per attempt. The Bulls finished the game with one takeaway, three sacks and also limited Gardner-Webb to just 4-of-14 on third down attempts.

The Bulls and Zips have dealt with problems on both sides of the football, but Buffalo is clearly more dangerous offensively, and should have no trouble grabbing a win at home.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Buffalo 34, Akron 21

Saturday, October 17th, 3:30 p.m. (et)