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FACTS & STATS: Site: Michie Stadium (38,000) -- West Point, New York. Television: CBSCSN. Home Record: Northwestern 1-0, Army 0-1. Away Record: Northwestern 1-0, Army 0-1. Neutral Record: Northwestern 0-0, Army 0-0. Conference Record: Northwestern 0-0, Army 0-0. Series Record: Northwestern leads, 3-1.

GAME NOTES: The Northwestern Wildcats pull into West Point for Saturday's non- conference clash with the Army Black Knights. It is the first meeting between the two since 1988, and NU leads the all-time series by a 3-1 margin.

Northwestern will try to continue its non-conference success as the 'Cats have won seven straight and 14 of their last 15 games against teams outside of the Big Ten. The matchup features two of the nation's top rushing teams. The majority of both teams' scoring has come off from rushing touchdowns as each has only found the end zone through the air once this year.

Northwestern has remained undefeated despite playing without their Heisman hopeful field general Dan Persa in the first two games as he is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles suffered last season. There is a possibility that Persa will make his season debut against Army, however there is a no rush. The reason Northwestern has remained perfect is due to the exceptional play of sophomore backup Kain Colter. Colter has been a dual threat as he ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 42-21 win over FCS foe Eastern Illinois. The NU run game produced 320 yards and five touchdowns behind a dominant showing from the offensive line. Northwestern has made use of its depth as Colter has completed a pass to eleven different receivers through two games. Last year's leading receiver, Jeremy Ebert, is expected to make more of an impact as the season progresses. The offense also has a running back-by-committee system, with five different backs getting multiple carries each game. Adonis Smith leads the way with 108 yards. If Persa does play this week, Northwestern will look to open up the passing game more than it has thus far. Persa was responsible for 75 percent of NU's offensive production in the 10 games he played last season.

The Northwestern defense gave up 341 yards to Eastern Illinois last week. The Wildcats will be without both starting defensive tackles, Jack DiNardo and Brian Arnfelt, against Army which will require defensive end Kevin Watt to slide into the middle of the line. Bruce McNaul has been the early leader of the Wildcat defense, as he paces the team in total tackles. McNaul also recorded his first career interception against Eastern Illinois. Standout defensive end Vince Browne recorded his 17th career sack in win. Browne ranks seventh among NU's active players in career sacks. The secondary reduced the number of passing yards given up to only 209 yards after being torched for 351 yards in the opener at Boston College. Senior Jordan Maybin recorded his seventh career interception in last week's win.

The Black Knights are 0-2 after a hard-fought 23-20 loss to San Diego State last weekend. Army had a chance to tie the game in the closing minutes, pushing to the Aztecs' 25-yard line, but two incompletions, a fumbled hand- off, a penalty and a sack pushed the offense out of field goal range. Army is well known for its high-powered running game, and quarterback Trent Steelman leads the team with 197 yards on the ground and four rushing scores. Steelman will make his 28th consecutive start this Saturday, which will leave him just two shy of the school record. Malcolm Brown leads the corps of running backs with 169 yards on 19 attempts. Brown had a 31-yard scamper against San Diego State which is the high mark for the Black Knights on the year. Trenton Turrentine, Jared Hassin and Raymond Maples have all been heavily involved in the rushing game as well, the team amassing 757 yards on 140 attempts through the first two games. Unfortunately, the Black Knights' stellar rushing attack has not translated into victories and the passing game is pretty much non- existent. Steelman has only attempted 15 passes on the season. Army has been outstanding later in games, outscoring the opposition 26-3 in the fourth quarter this season. Army has now produced back-to-back 300-yard games for the first time since 2008. If they are able to reel off a third against the Wildcat defense it will be the first three-game streak since 1998. Despite last week's loss, Army had possession of the ball for more than 42 minutes.

Army's defense is led by linebacker Steve Erzinger, who posted an eye-popping 21 tackles in the season opener against Northern Illinois to set the benchmark for all FBS players this season. The Black Knights failed to record any takeaways against the Aztecs in the 23-20 loss. The team has struggled immensely in its last ten games, failing to force a turnover in winning just once. Army held San Diego State to 292 yards of total offense after experiencing a Northern Illinois explosion of 509 yards in the opener.

Northwestern clearly holds the upper hand in this matchup. If Persa is given the green light to play, NU's offense is sure to become more balanced and even more dangerous. Army's run-first mentality may cause some problems for the Wildcats, but expect the visitors to wear the Black Knights down and pull away down the stretch.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Northwestern 35, Army 20