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FACTS & STATS: Site: Malone Stadium (30,427) -- Monroe, Louisiana. Television: Local. Home Record: FIU 4-2, ULM 2-2. Away Record: FIU 2-2, ULM 1-5. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, ULM 0-0. Conference Record: FIU 3-3, ULM 2-4. Series Record: ULM leads, 5-1.

GAME NOTES: Sun Belt Conference action will take place this Saturday at Malone Stadium when the ULM Warhawks host the FIU Panthers.

The Panthers earned bowl eligibility this past weekend with a convincing, 41-7 decision over Florida Atlantic. It was the sixth win on the season for the Panthers, who also moved to an even 3-3 in league play.

As for the Warhawks, they were able to snap a three-game slide this past weekend with a 42-14 decision over Middle Tennessee. It was just the third win on the year for ULM, and only the second in league action.

In regard to the all-time series between the two schools on the gridiron, the Warhawks hold a commanding 5-1 edge over FIU.

The Panthers have leaned heavily on the run this season, and it has help propel the team to 25.6 ppg.

The reason FIU has found so much success in that area is because the team has a two-pronged attack in the backfield in Kedrick Rhodes and Darriet Perry. Rhodes is currently pacing the team with 926 yards and seven touchdowns, while Perry comes into this weekend with six scores and 441 yards.

The passing attack has played second fiddle, but Wes Carroll has managed the game well, completing 61.0 percent of his throws, while tossing nine touchdowns against four interceptions. Usually when the team passes the ball goes to T.Y. Hilton, who is one of the best receivers in the nation, hauling in 57 passes for 858 yards and five scores.

In FIU's recent victory over FAU, the Panthers pounded the Owls with the run, rumbling for 219 yards and three scores. Rhodes led the way with 122 yards and one touchdown, while Perry also scored in the contest. Hilton did not do much in the passing attack in the matchup, but he did return a punt for 97 yards.

The Panthers have the perfect formula to win games and that is run the ball and play solid defense. Clearly the team can pound the rock, but also the Golden Panthers are limiting teams to just 19.8 ppg.

Opponents are averaging 123.9 ypg on the ground, but are averaging only 3.5 yards per carry. Against the pass, FIU has surrendered nine touchdowns, but has also collected nine interceptions, giving the 15 takeaways on the year.

FIU collected three of those interceptions in the win over Florida Atlantic, as the team limited the Owls to just seven points and 302 total yards. The Panthers were also relentless with their pressure, grabbing four sacks in the game.

Justin Halley only had two tackles in the win, but also collected two interceptions. Richard Leonard hauled in the other pick, while Sam Miller led the way with eight stops.

The Warhawks have had no trouble finding the end zone this season and come into this matchup averaging 25.2 ppg, which is a respectable number.

The team does not have one main option in the backfield, but instead the team relies on a few different players to rack up 149.5 ypg. Jyruss Edwards is pacing the squad with 573 yards and nine touchdowns, while quarterback Kolton Browning had rumbled for 290 yards and four scores.

Browning has also been solid while under center, throwing for 2,054 yards and 11 touchdowns against just five interceptions.

The last time the Warhawks were in action, they leaned heavily on Edwards, who rushed for 191 yards and three scores, leading ULM to a big win over Middle Tennessee. Browning also scored on the ground and finished with 193 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

Clearly the Warhawks can score, but they are under .500 because the defense has suffered through too many mistakes. Sure, the team is limiting the opposition to just 101.6 rushing yards per matchup, and that is fantastic, but the secondary has been dismantled to the tune of 241.0 ypg. Opponents have scored 20 times through the air against ULM and that is a big reason why the unit is allowing 27.7 ppg.

The defense does have 11 interceptions though, and 19 takeaways overall, but that is one of the few bright spots for this unit thus far. This unit surrendered two more passing touchdowns in the win over MT, but the reason ULM was able to win so convincingly is because the Warhawks walked away with three crucial turnovers.

Cameron Blakes and Jason Edwards both collected 12 tackles in the win, while Edwards also forced a fumble.

The Warhawks have played well against the run, but the Panthers could have trouble in that area, but FIU is strong enough defensively to limit ULM enough to grab a tough win on the road.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: FIU 28, ULM 24