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FACTS & STATS: Site: InfoCision Stadium (30,000) -- Akron, Ohio. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: FIU 2-2, Akron 1-1 . Away Record: FIU 1-0, Akron 0-3. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, Akron 0-1. Conference Record: FIU 1-1, Akron 0-2. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The FIU Panthers look to end their two-game losing streak this week when they travel to Ohio to take on non conference opponent Akron. The Panthers will be facing a Zip squad that is in search of their first win against an FBS opponent in what will be the final non-conference game of the season for both squads.

FIU hopes to get back on track this week after being bested by Louisiana (36-31) and Duke (31-27) in their two previous games. Before the two losses, the Panthers got off to a very impressive start to the season winning their first three game including a road victory at Louisville and a win over instate rival UCF.

The Zips have shown improvement in the past two weeks after being dominated in their first three games. Akron was held to just 17 total points in the first three games, but exploded for 36 points in their win over VMI and stayed within one possession by posting 23 points in the loss to its in-conference opponent Eastern Michigan last week.

This will be the inaugural game of the series between these two schools. An FIU win will secure a winning record in non-conference play for the Panthers.

FIU's offense got a boost last week in the loss to Duke when quarterback Wes Carroll and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton returned from injury. Carroll stepped out of his usual role as game manager and took over the game throwing for a season high 348 yards and three touchdowns. He has yet to thrown an interception this season. His favorite target Hilton also had a strong return to the lineup, catching five balls for 102 yards and a touchdown.

The running back combo of Kedrick Rhodes and Darriet Perry has been effective for the Panthers' ground game so far this season. Rhodes is the clear cut number one option as he has rushed for 400 yards on 82 carries with five scores. Perry hit the century mark last week against Duke as he rushed for 102 yards on seventeen carries. The Panthers are averaging 28 points per game on the year and have turned the ball over just four times in five games.

The difference between the FIU wins and losses has been the defense. In the three wins, the Panthers held their opponents to 17 points and under. In the two losses, the defense has allowed over 30 points in each contest. The rushing defense has shown the ability to stifle opponents as it has not allowed a single player to rush for over 100 yards as rushers are averaging just 3.1 yards per carry against them this season. The Panther pass rush has been aggressive with 15 sacks. Winston Fraser has been the anchor for the defense as he has accumulated a team-leading 47 tackles with three tackles for loss, two sacks, and the only Panther interception to date.

Last week, Akron's Jawon Chisholm ran for over 100 yards for the third straight week. The first year running back has established himself as the focal point of the offense as he has been touched the ball 80 times in the past three games. Clayton Moore will be tested this week to take pressure off of Chisholm through the air. Moore has not been accurate this year as he has completed just 47.7 percent of his passes. The Akron offensive line has allowed Moore to be sacked 18 times this season and will be tested by the FIU defensive front.

Akron has been a run-first offense this season as they have run the ball 175 times and attempted just 147 passes. The Zips hope to continue to improve on their 15.2 points per game average.

Akron is coming off a loss where Eastern Michigan running back Dominique White ran all over the Zips' defense for a total of 164 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The rushing defense has been a red carpet for opposing offenses all season. Opposing rushers are averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Brian Wagner has been the leader of the defense as his 59 tackles nearly doubles any other individual player's total. He will look for help from his teammates to stop the multiple weapons of the FIU offense.

FIU should win this won pretty easily. The Panthers showed the ability to dominate electrifying rushers in their opener when they held North Texas's Lance Dunbar to just 43 yards on 18 carries. The Panther offense has proved to be too efficient to think they would allow the Zips to keep this one competitive for long.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: FIU 35, Akron 10