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FACTS & STATS: Site: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (42,000) -- Louisville, Kentucky. Television: ESPN. Home Record: FIU 1-0, Louisville 1-0. Away Record: FIU 0-0, Louisville 0-0. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, Louisville 0-0. Conference Record: FIU 1-0, Louisville 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The FIU Panthers swing into Kentucky this weekend for a non- conference clash with Louisville, as both teams are fresh off of season- opening wins.

FIU wasted no time in the opener against Sun Belt foe North Texas, scoring a school-record 28 first quarter points en route to 41-16 thrashing of the Mean Green. The win was the first season-opening victory over an FBS opponent for FIU, a program that won its first-ever bowl game last season and seems to be headed in the right direction after last week's win.

Louisville was heavily favored heading into last weekend's opener against FCS- opponent Murray State, and overcame a slow start to earn an expected 21-9 win. It was a sloppy win to start year two of the Charlie Strong era, as the Cardinals turned the ball over four times and failed to score in the second half, the latter of which hasn't happened in a Louisville win in 34 years. The silver lining in the win was the experience the young Cardinals picked up, as 17 freshman played their first collegiate game and seven players made their first collegiate start.

This will be the first meeting between FIU and Louisville.

The Golden Panthers are counting on a huge season from reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year T.Y. Hilton, who got to work from the get-go against North Texas. Hilton returned the opening kickoff 62 yards to set up the Panthers' first touchdown. Hilton finished with 283 all-purpose yards, including a 60- yard touchdown catch from quarterback Wesley Carroll. Senior running back Darriet Perry rushed for 93 yards and recorded his 22nd and 23rd career rushing touchdowns, while sophomore back Kedrick Rhodes added 77 yards rushing to complement the versatile FIU backfield.

The Panther defense, which is projected to be one of the Sun Belt's best in 2011, didn't give up a touchdown. The Mean Green scored twice on fumbles and forced a safety to earn their 16 points, but couldn't find a formula for success offensively. Much of that is attributed to FIU's ability to control the line of scrimmage, allowing just 97 yards rushing and forcing North Texas to go a dismal 4-of-16 on third down. North Texas running back Lance Dunbar, who finished sixth in the nation in rushing last season, to just 43 yards rushing. FIU recorded three sacks and forced a fumble, and were led by linebacker Winston Frazier's 11 tackles. Defensive end Gregory Hickman emerged as a threat on the opposite side of FIU's all-conference end Tourek Williams, as Hickman registered two sacks and forced a fumble. Starting senior safety Chuck Grace was ejected in the fourth quarter following a questionable hit against a North Texas receiver, and will be suspended for the Louisville matchup unless FIU wins an appeal to the ejection this week.

Junior quarterback Will Stein led the Louisville attack against Murray State, throwing for 226 yards and two touchdowns. While Stein was intercepted once on a day when the Louisville offense also coughed up three fumbles, Louisville hopes he will bring stability to the position after he became the fifth opening day quarterback in five seasons for the Cardinals. The same can be said about many positions on offense, as no full-time starter returned to offensive line this season, and two receivers, Scott Radcliffe and DeVante Parker, both had their first career touchdown receptions. Louisville finished with 385 yards of total offense, including 61 yards rushing from senior running back Vic Anderson (6.8 yards per carry) who also scored his first touchdown since 2009.

While the Louisville offense struggled hanging onto the ball at times against the Racers, the Cardinal defense was just as opportunistic in the takeaway category, picking off three Murray State passes and disrupting an aggressive Murray State spread attack that was seventh in total offense in the FCS a year ago. The Cardinals struggled with the Racers hurry-up offense at times, but did hold Murray State to 148 yards passing and kept talented junior quarterback Casey Brockman in check. Brockman only completed 17-of-34 passes, and started the game 0-of-8. Sophomore linebacker Preston Brown led Louisville with a career-high 12 tackles, including 2.5 for loss.

This is an interesting matchup, and while Louisville may have superior talent against FIU, its youth is a major question against an experienced FIU ball club. Make no mistake, the Panthers have the speed to compete, and will be much more efficient than Murray State. The Cardinals will have to account for Hilton in both the return game and on offense, and will have to clean up the turnovers and penalties (10 flags for 65 yards against Murray State) in order to get the win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Louisville 31, FIU 28