GoMiddle.com - Weekend primer: Light load on the schedule

October 8, 2009

Chris Childers
GoMiddle.com Publisher

There are only two games on the league schedule for Saturday but both have intriguing storylines.

The final team to start conference action will kick off Sun Belt play this weekend and the long wait for a win will end for either Florida International or Western Kentucky.

GoMiddle.com breaks down what to look for on Saturday in Sun Belt play.

THE SCHEDULE

Saturday's games
FIU at WKU, 6 p.m.
North Texas at ULL, 6 p.m.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

SOMEBODY WILL GET A WIN- The only thing we know for sure this weekend is that either Florida International or Western Kentucky will finally feel what its like to get a win. The Golden Panthers and the Hilltoppers will face off this weekend in Bowling Green and both squads enter the game with an embarrassing combined record of 0-8. A major reason for the early struggles for both FIU and WKU has been the awful play on defense. Both teams rank right at the bottom nationally in total defense surrendering around 500 yards per game. Expect both offenses to move the football with relative ease on Saturday.

HILTON WATCH- As mentioned above, the WKU defense has struggled mightily this year. The Hilltoppers are giving up 513 yards per game and surrendering an average of 41 points. Although winless this season, FIU's offense still features one of the most dynamic players in the Sun Belt in wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Hilton's presence on the field could present major problems for a WKU secondary that has had trouble stopping just about everyone. He averages 90 yards per game receiving and has four touchdowns this season. Hilton is an athletic playmaker who has the chance to take it the distance anytime he touches the football.

CAJUNS DIVE INTO LEAGUE PLAY- The Rajun Cajuns are well rested after having a bye last weekend and are anxious to hit the field. After starting 2-0, Louisiana-Lafayette can't wait to start the Sun Belt portion of the schedule after getting pasted in back to back weeks by BCS powers Nebraska and LSU. ULL was outscored in those games 86-3. The Cajuns will look to get their offense back on track Saturday against a mediocre North Texas defense. ULL ranks 114th nationally in total offense but the offense really isn't as bad as the number may indicate. Expect much better numbers and flow from the Cajun offense this weekend.

PREDICTIONS

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL @ WESTERN KENTUCKY- FIU should get its first win of the season Saturday in Bowling Green. The Hilltoppers are finding out that the transition to college football's highest level is not easy. WKU is in its first year as a member of the Sun Belt and ranks near the bottom nationally in almost every major offensive and defensive statistical category. Neither defense has had much success this year but FIU just flat out has more talent and speed on both sides of the football. The mere presence of star receiver T.Y. Hilton should give the Panthers enough to pull out their first victory.

NORTH TEXAS @ LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE- After getting blown out in back to back games by LSU and Nebraska, ULL sits in good position Saturday to pick up its first win. The Ragin Cajuns defense is loaded with talent and should make it difficult for Riley Dodge and the North Texas offense to find any kind of consistent rhythm. The Mean Green has made significant improvement this season but still remain a program searching for an identity. Therefore the ULL defense and the rowdy home Cajun crowd should spell a long day for North Texas.

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