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FACTS & STATS: Site: Peden Stadium (24,000) -- Athens, Ohio. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Temple 2-2, Ohio 3-1. Away Record: Temple 3-1, Ohio 2-2. Neutral Record: Temple 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: Temple 3-2, Ohio 2-2. Series Record: Ohio leads, 3-1.

GAME NOTES: The East Division of the Mid-American Conference is still a cloudy issue, but Temple's meeting with Ohio in Athens on Wednesday night could bring some clarity to the situation. as the two teams collide at Peden Stadium.

Last year Temple and Ohio took the field in a game that had similar implications, because the winner would have a better chance at the title game, while the loser was all but eliminated. The Bobcats got the better of Temple in Philadelphia, winning 31-23, while pushing their lead in the all-time series to 31-23.

The Owls have been on the cusp of playing in the title game for the past couple of seasons, but have fallen short. This year's team is once again in a precarious position after falling to Bowling Green, 13-10. Temple is still leading the division with a 3-2 record, but now the team has no more room for mistakes.

The Bobcats were able to fight their way back into the picture with a 37-20 decision over Akron this past weekend. The win snapped a two-game slide for Ohio, which is now 2-2 in conference action. If the Bobcats want a chance at the title this is a must win game for them.

There is no secret to Temple's game plan. The Owls are going to run early and often and while Bernard Pierce is the top back in the conference, and maybe one of the best in the nation, the Owls also possess a tremendous backup in Matt Brown.

Pierce has run through the record books at Temple, and comes into this weekend with 951 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, Brown has been reliable in a reserve role and has rushed for 562 yards on 6.0 yards per attempt.

The passing attack however, has fallen short throughout the season and whether it is Mike Gerardi or Chester Stewart under center, neither has performed all that well. As of now Stewart is starting for the Owls, but he has just two touchdowns against two interceptions.

Last weekend the Owls rumbled for 218 yards on the ground, but because of the lack of success through the air (66 yards), the team had a hard time finding the end zone and eventually fell to Bowling Green, 13-10.

Pierce rushed for 107 yards and one touchdown in the loss, while Brown led the way with 119 yards on 22 carries. The tandem did everything it could to keep Temple in the win column, but that was not the case.

The Owls have been able to win with a heavy dose and solid defensive play. Coach Steve Addazio realizes his unit is possibly the best in the conference and that gives him the ability to run the ball early and often.

The Owls have allowed just 10 touchdowns in eight games, and even though six have come on the ground, the defense is still limiting the opposition to just 90.5 ypg on a mere 2.9 yards per carry.

The secondary has also been up to the task, holding the competition to under 200.0 ypg and surrendering just four touchdowns, while collecting nine interceptions. Overall the Owls only have 13 takeaways, but they have been able to place adequate pressure on quarterbacks, racking up 23 sacks on the year. Tahir Whitehead and Adrian Robinson have four sacks apiece, while Whitehead is also leading the team with 10 TFLs.

In the loss to Bowling Green, the Owls were able to hold a high-scoring offense to only two field goals through three and a half quarters. However, BGSU found the end zone in the fourth quarter and that was enough to upend Temple. The defense did not force any turnovers, and finished with one sack, but the unit allowed only 318 yards and that is usually good enough for a victory.

While the Owls rely heavily on the run, the Bobcats have used more of a passing attack to defeat opponents thanks to the play of Tyler Tettleton.

The quarterback has emerged as one of the more efficient passers in the league and comes into this weekend with 1,979 yards and 17 touchdowns against only five interceptions.

However, he is more than a passer and has the ability to run as well. He has rumbled for 258 yards and five touchdowns, but the majority of the team's 185.2 ypg has come from Donte Harden and Ryan Boykin. Harden has rushed for 514 yards, while Boykin has added 345 yards.

Last week Tettleton overcame an interception against Akron by throwing for 328 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-29 passing. One of those scores went to LaVon Brazill, who finished with 102 yards on three receptions.

Tettleton also added a rushing touchdown and helped the Bobcats amass 212 yards on 4.3 yards per carry. Harden caused trouble for Akron racking up 123 yards on 22 carries.

The Bobcats are usually a tough defensive unit, but this year the squad has suffered through some tough times. Over the past five games the defense for Ohio has allowed 38 points twice and even surrendered 20 points last week in a win over Akron. That is alarming, considering that Akron has struggled on offense.

Ohio has been stout against the run, holding teams to just 116.9 ypg on 3.2 yards per carry, but Wednesday will be a huge test for Ohio with Pierce and Brown in town.

Where the Bobcats have been fortunate is in their big play ability, as the team has forced 17 turnovers, 12 of which have been interceptions. The Bobcats were able to force a turnover in the win, but struggled against the pass, allowing Akron to throw two touchdowns in the game. Noah Keller, who is leading the team with 57 tackles on the season, paced the unit with 10 stops in the win over the Zips.

The Bobcats should have a tough time against this Temple defense just like every other team, but the key for them will be the ability or lack there of to stop the run. If Ohio can limit Pierce and Brown then the squad will have a good chance or winning, but that is easier said than done.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Temple 20, Ohio 14