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FACTS & STATS: Site: FIU Stadium (23,500) -- Miami, Florida. Television: ESPN3.com. Home Record: Louisiana 1-0, FIU 2-0. Away Record: Louisiana 1-1, FIU 1-0. Neutral Record: Louisiana 0-0, FIU 0-0. Conference Record: Louisiana 0-0, FIU 1-0. Series Record: Louisiana leads, 6-2.

GAME NOTES: Undefeated FIU goes in search of its fourth win of the young season, as the Golden Panthers welcome the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns to Miami for a Sun Belt Conference clash.

The Cajuns bounced back from a 61-34 loss to Oklahoma State in their season opener to claim victory in each of their last two outings. Louisiana beat Kent State on the road before defeating Nicholls State at home.

As for the Golden Panthers, they have started the season 3-0, defeating conference rival North Texas in their season opener before reeling off wins against Louisville and UCF. The victories have given FIU some national recognition as the team is receiving votes in both major polls.

This will be the ninth game in the series between these two squads, and while the Cajuns won the first six, the Panthers have had the upper hand in the last two. In 2010, Louisiana trailed by a touchdown going into the final frame before FIU pulled away with a rushing touchdown by Darriet Perry to give the Panthers a 38-17 victory. This matchup puts the Sun Belt's top scoring team (Louisiana 30.7 ppg) against its best defensive squad (FIU 14.3 ppg).

The Ragin' Cajun offense was not overly impressive against Nicholls State in their recent 38-21 victory. Although Louisiana scored 38 points, it only produced 280 yards of total offense. Head coach Rick Stockstill has given both Blaine Gautier and Chris Masson equal opportunity at the quarterback position. Gautier has established himself as a dual threat as he is leading the team in passing and ranks third in rushing. The passing game has struggled early, as the QB tandem threw for only 46 yards in the win over Kent State. The offense has been able to survive due to running game, as Qyenda Griffin has been the team's go-to guy with 43 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Javone Lawson has enjoyed a quick start to the season, racking up 172 yards on just eight grabs. The team's league-leading scoring total is misleading as the defense and special teams have contributed five touchdowns thus far.

The Louisiana defense has been efficient in the last two games, yielding an average of only 205.5 yards per outing. The defense is led by Lance Kelley as he has recorded 24 tackles, four TFL and two sacks. Dwight Bentley has been a ballhawk for the Cajuns, already logging three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. As a unit, the Cajun defense is averaging four sacks per contest.

There is no shortage of talent on the FIU offense, with the star being wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. A threat to go the distance on every touch, Hilton has 17 grabs for 343 yards and three touchdowns already, and that includes a lackluster three-catch, 30-yard effort in the Golden Panthers' 17-10 victory over UCF last week. Overall, the offense struggled against the Knights' defense, only gaining 238 total yards. With Hilton not doing a whole lot, FIU turned to running back Kedrick Rhodes and he responded by rushing for 89 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Wes Carroll completed 15-of-29 passes for 127 yards, but most importantly managed the game and protected the football. Carroll has not thrown an interception yet this season.

Without their playmaker on offense, FIU turned to their defense for a boost against UCF. Defensive Tackle Isame Faciane was the unlikely hero for the Panthers as he returned a fumble 51 yards for the game-tying touchdown. The defense has been extremely aggressive, compiling 15 sacks in the first three games. Winston Fraser leads the defense so far with 29 tackles, two sacks, and the team's only interception.

FIU has shown the ability to win games so far this season due to a strong defense and an experienced offense. Louisiana has some lingering questions on offense, and will likely struggle against the Panthers' aggressive defense.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: FIU 31, Louisiana 10