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FACTS & STATS: Site: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium (22,113) -- Bowling Green, Kentucky. Television: Sun Belt Network. Home Record: Troy 3-2, WKU 2-3. Away Record: Troy 0-5, WKU 4-1. Neutral Record: Troy 0-0, WKU 0-1. Conference Record: Troy 2-4, WKU 6-1. Series Record: Troy leads, 8-0-1.

GAME NOTES: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers welcome the Troy Trojans to Bowling Green for Sun Belt Conference Action at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

Troy is in unfamiliar waters this year as it has not finished a season with a losing record since 2005. The Trojans are 3-7 after last week's win over Florida Atlantic that snapped a five-game losing streak. Troy is in sixth place in the nine-team Sun Belt Conference.

WKU has had one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football this season. After a combined record of 2-22 over the past two seasons, the Hilltoppers looked like they were headed to another losing year after being defeated in their first four games. Willie Taggart led his team to five- straight wins after the slow start before running into top-ranked Louisiana State. WKU bounced back from the LSU loss by taking down North Texas last week to become bowl eligible for the first time since becoming a full-fledged member of the FBS Division.

Troy has dominated the all-time series with WKU as the Trojans hold an 8-0-1 advantage. The Trojans won 28-14 in 2010's meeting.

Larry Blakeney's offense this season is the top ranked passing offense in the Sun Belt. Sophomore Corey Robinson is attempting an average of 42.3 passes per game in the pass heavy offense. Robinson's numbers have gone down since his freshman year, but he still has thrown for a respectable 2797 yards and 17 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 63 percent. Robinson threw for a season-high 396 yards and three touchdowns in last week's win over Florida Atlantic.

Shawn Southward and D.J. Taylor are the Trojans' top running backs. The duo has combined for 807 yards and 9 touchdowns this season. Neither have eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a game this season. Eric Thomas has built a reputation as one of the top wide outs in the conference. Thomas has the best game of his career last week with 128 yards and two touchdowns on six catches.

Troy's woes stem from its defense. The Trojans have the worst ranked defense in the conference as they are allowing 459.7 yards per game. Troy is coming off of its best defensive performance of the year as it held the Owls to 291 yards of total offense and just seven points. Brynden Trawick leads the team with 90 tackles.

WKU's offense is powered by its superstar running back Bobby Rainey. The senior has rushed for 1468 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Rainey is ranked second in the nation in rushing yards per game as he is only trailing LaMichael James of Oregon. Rainey had his season high in rushing yards in the win over North Texas as he rushed for 214 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries. It was the second instance in which Rainey rushed for more than 200 yards this season. Rainey has only been held under the 100-mark twice this season. Rainey is just 82 yards shy of the all-time school record for rushing yards mark set by Lerron Moore.

Kawaun Jakes had his best game of the season in last weeks win over the Mean Green. The junior quarterback threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns in the Hilltoppers' win. Jakes has thrown 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the season, but has been much more accurate since the season opener versus Kentucky in which he threw four picks. Tight end Jack Doyle has been Jakes's favorite target as he leads the team with 513 yards on 46 catches.

WKU's defense has done just enough to keep it winning this season. The Hilltoppers are ranked 54th in the nation in total defense with an allowance of 377.7 yards per game and 57th in the nation as opponents are averaging 25.45 points per game. Andrew Jackson has been the anchor of the defense as he has tallied 105 tackles. Jackson leads the conference in tackles for loss with 16. Derrius Brooks has been a hawk in the secondary as he is tied for the conference lead in interceptions with four.

Western Kentucky has been one of the hottest teams in the nation since losing to Arkansas State. The Hilltoppers even gave the top-ranked Tigers a fight in the first half before LSU overpowered them. The Trojans have had a disappointing season, but an upset of the Hilltoppers might be a good way to salvage some pride. Unfortunately for Troy, Robinson does not have as much help around him as he did his freshman campaign. The Hilltoppers as long as they continue to feed Rainey the ball.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Western Kentucky 34, Troy 28