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FACTS & STATS: Site: Cajun Field (31,000) -- Lafayette, Louisiana. Television: CSS. Home Record: Florida Atlantic 0-0, Louisiana 1-0. Away Record: Florida Atlantic 0-3, Louisiana 2-1. Neutral Record: Florida Atlantic 0-0, Louisiana 1-0. Conference Record: Florida Atlantic 0-0, Louisiana 1-0. Series Record: Florida Atlantic leads, 5-1.

GAME NOTES: Louisiana looks to improve to 2-0 in the Sun Belt as they host Howard Schnellenberger's winless Florida Atlantic squad.

Florida Atlantic has struggled so far this season but they have played three perennial powerhouse opponents. The Owls have been dominated this season being outscored by a combined 115-14 in their three losses to Florida, Michigan State, and Auburn.

It wasn't easy, but the Ragin' Cajuns were able to steal a 36-31 victory in Miami from the previously undefeated FIU Panthers last time out. The conference opener gave Louisiana its third win of the year with the lone defeat coming against Big 12 power Oklahoma State to open the season.

This is the seventh meeting between the schools with Florida Atlantic holding a 5-1 advantage going into this game. The Owls have never lost at Cajun Field as they have won all three contests in Lafayette.

Florida Atlantic's offense has not produced points this season. The Owls have scored a national low 17 points for the year. That total should increase as they face lesser opponents in the coming weeks.

Against the defending national champions last week, the Owls held their own as Auburn only held an eight-yard advantage in total offense. Florida Atlantic also had 20 first downs to Auburn's 16.

Graham Wilbert led the Owls last week against Auburn, completing 20-of-31 passes for 191 yards and a score, but he was also intercepted three times.

Running back Morris Alfred has yet to get anything going on the ground this year as he has been bottled up and held to a 3.1 yard per rush average. He should see more success as his team ventures into conference play this week.

The Owls have given up 38.3 points per game so far this season against their superior competition. Florida Atlantic has managed some flashes of success with big plays. The defense has recorded five sacks, four interceptions, and forced two fumbles.

The defensive performance against Auburn was the best of the season as the Owls allowed the Tigers to score 30 points. David Hinds leads the defense with 26 tackles and a sack.

Louisiana is feeling good after knocking off the Panthers in Miami last week. They have to like their chances against their second Florida based school in a row. Duel threat quarterback Blaine Gautier has been the leader of the offense so far, as he leads the Ragin' Cajuns in passing and rushing. Gautier is coming off of a stellar 221 yards and three touchdown passes, in addition to 86 rushing yards. Last week in the 36-31 win over FIU, Gautier found his favorite targets Javone Lawson and Ladarius Green for touchdowns. FIU had previously not allowed an opponent to score more than 17 points.

It appears that Gautier has established himself as the permanent number one quarterback as he previously was sharing snaps with Chris Masson.

As a team, Louisiana averaged 5.7 yards per carry last week and hopes to continue that success against a Florida Atlantic defense that has yet to stop anybody.

The Louisiana defense was not as impressive, as the offense in the win over FIU. The defense gave up 31 points to a team that was without their starting quarterback and primary playmaking receiver for the majority of the game. The Panthers' Kedrick Rhodes ran all over the Ragin' Cajun defense as he contributed to the team's 225 total rushing yards. The defense did make a play down the stretch in the win. Lionel Stokes intercepted the Panthers' backup quarterback Jake Medlock with no time remaining to clinch the road victory.

It is hard to estimate the talent level of Florida Atlantic due to the brutal early schedule. This could be a trap game for Louisiana as they are coming off their big win over FIU. Louisiana must improve the defensive effort to avoid a loss.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Florida Atlantic 28, Louisiana 27