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FACTS & STATS: Site: Lincoln Financial Field (67,594) -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Miami-OH 3-2, Temple 2-2. Away Record: Miami-OH 1-3, Temple 3-2. Neutral Record: Miami-OH 0-0, Temple 0-0. Conference Record: Miami-OH 3-2, Temple 3-3. Series Record: Temple leads, 3-2.

GAME NOTES: The Temple Owls were leading the East Division in the Mid-American Conference, but that was before the team hit a wall. Now the Owls will try to regroup when they host the Miami-Ohio RedHawks this Wednesday at Lincoln Financial Field.

The defending MAC champion RedHawks opened this season with four straight losses, but since then the team has claimed four wins in its last five matchups, including two in a row. The most recent decision was a 35-3 victory over Akron, which placed the team in a tie with Ohio at the top of the division.

The Owls were on top until they suffered back-to-back losses to Bowling Green and Ohio. Now the Owls are 3-3 in conference action and if they are going to have a chance at the division title, they will have to win out and get help from other teams.

The Owls' three-game winning streak in this series against Miami-Ohio was snapped last year, as the RedHawks claimed a 23-3 decision at home. Temple still owns a 3-2 edge over Miami-Ohio all-time.

The RedHawks scored 28 first half points and did not look back against Akron, as they dominated the Zips for four quarters. Zac Dysert only threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns, but that is because the ground game showed some life by churning out 168 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Semmes was the surprising leader for Miami-Ohio, rumbling for 100 yards and two of those touchdowns.

Throughout the season Miami-Ohio has struggled in terms of running the ball, averaging a weak 78.7 ypg on a mere 2.4 yards per carry. Because the ground game has been so ineffective, the offensive load has fallen on the shoulders of Dysert, and for the most part the quarterback has succeeded in carrying the unit.

Dysert has thrown for 2,364 yards and has tossed 16 touchdowns against only eight interceptions. Nick Harwell only has three touchdowns on the season, but he is clearly Dysert's favorite target and is pacing the squad with 54 receptions and 895 yards.

The defense has also picked it up of late, surrendering just 47 combined points in Miami-Ohio's last four games. The last time the RedHawks were in action they held the Zips to just three points.

Stopping the run has been an issue throughout the season, but the defense was able to do the job against Akron, allowing just 111 yards on 3.2 yards per carry.

Where this unit has found success is against the pass, and the secondary was relentless in the victory over Akron, as Miami-Ohio held the conference foe to just 90 yards on 7-of-32 passing.

Jerrell Wedge had a big game, racking up nine tackles and one fumble recovery. Wedge has been the best player on the field for this defense, and is currently leading the squad with 70 stops.

The Owls had their way with Ohio on the ground, but even with 308 rushing yards, Temple was unable to defeat the Bobcats. Surprisingly the Bobcats were able to do something other conference teams have been unable to do and that is limit Bernard Pierce. The sensational back did score once, but he finished with just 84 yards on 22 carries.

The player that led the charge was quarterback Chris Coyer. Coyer rushed for 184 yards on 17 carries, while also throwing for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Rarely can a positive be brought out of a victory, but Temple has been missing solid play from the quarterback position, and Coyer could be the answer, as he gets the starting nod this week.

Even though Pierce was limited he is still putting together one of the greatest seasons in Temple history. The tailback could reel in the league's Player of the Year award and at this point his numbers back up that claim, coming into this contest with 1,035 yards and 19 touchdowns, a school single- season record.

What was just as surprising as Pierce's inability to find running room, was the complete collapse of the Temple defense, which was outstanding until this loss to Ohio. The Owls allowed more than 20 points just once prior, but the Bobcats dismantled the Owls, rolling up 35 points.

The Owls are holding opponents to just 107.1 rushing yards per matchup, but the Bobcats managed to rumble for 240 yards and two touchdowns. On top of that Temple was torched for another 281 yards and three scores through the air.

Justin Gildea led the way with nine tackles in the loss and also grabbed a sack. Even with the poor showing, the Owls are still holding opponents to just 12.8 ppg.

The Owls have dropped two in a row, and even though the defense was battered around in the team's last matchup, the Owls are still dangerous on that side of the ball and should bounce back.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Temple 31, Miami-Ohio 13