FACTS & STATS: Site: Lockhart Stadium (20,500) -- Boca Raton, Florida. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Troy 1-0, FAU 1-0. Away Record: Troy 1-2, FAU 0-4. Neutral Record: Troy 0-0, FAU 0-0. Conference Record: Troy 1-0, FAU 0-1. Series Record: Troy leads, 4-1.

GAME NOTES: Sun Belt Conference action will take place this Tuesday night, as the Florida Atlantic Owls host the Troy Trojans at Lockhart Stadium. The Trojans started the season with two straight wins, but since then the squad has dropped its last two contests. The last time Troy was on the field the team was routed by Oklahoma State, 55-24. The Trojans, who are 1-0 in league action this year, have done a terrific job against conference foes over the previous two seasons, posting a 12-2 mark. As for the Owls, they have lost four of their first five games, including three in a row. The last time FAU was on the field the team suffered a heartbreaking, 14-13 setback to Middle Tennessee. FAU's lone win came at home where the team scored 49 points against UAB, which is more than the total amount of points accumulated in the team's four road losses (26). In regard to the all-time series between the two schools on the gridiron, the Trojans have won four of the five meetings. However, the lone win for FAU came this past season, as the Owls posted a thrilling, 38-32 decision in the Sun Bet Conference title game.

The Trojans racked up an impressive 416 total yards in their last contest against Oklahoma State, but it was not enough for Troy, which was pummeled by 31 points. Jamie Hampton had an inauspicious showing in the setback, as the quarterback threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns, but was also intercepted twice. Hampton has been up and down throughout the season and although the signal caller has completed 63.4 percent of his throws, he has just nine touchdowns against seven interceptions. Hampton however, is a duel threat and has the ability to hurt an opponent with his legs and did so against OSU as he paced the team with 54 yards on nine totes. Overall, the Trojans finished with 144 rushing yards on an impressive 6.3 ypc. On the season Hampton has racked up 175 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but the main threat out of the backfield has been DuJuan Harris, who has posted 282 yards and three scores.

Where the Trojans struggled against OSU was defensively, as Troy was pounded for an astonishing 612 total yards, including 358 rushing yards on 5.8 ypc. Troy surrendered four rushing TDs in the contest and out of the 35 first downs allowed by the defense, 22 came via the run. The Trojans could do nothing right against the Pokes, allowing Oklahoma State to convert on 7-of-13 third down chances and all eight of its red zone attempts. Throughout the season the Trojans have struggled inside their own zone, allowing opponents to convert on a whopping 86 percent of their red zone opportunities. Another issue that has plagued the Trojans has been their inability to stop the run, as teams are pounding Troy for 171.0 ypg on the ground. Boris Lee has been one of the few bright spots for this unit, as the linebacker is pacing the team with 54 tackles.

The Owls have struggled on the offensive side of the football this season, as the team is producing 342.0 total ypg, which has led to a meager 15.0 ppg. The ground game is only churning out 113.8 ypg, and the passing attack has not been much better, as the team is averaging 228.2 ypg through the air. Charles Pierre has been the main option in the backfield for FAU, but the tailback has just 309 yards and two scores in five games. Struggling even more has been quarterback Rusty Smith, who has completed just 48.1 percent of his throws. On the year the signal caller has thrown for just 1,084 yards and has just four TDs against seven interceptions. This past week against MT, the Owls put forth a strong effort racking up 363 total yards, but the team still fell to the Blue Raiders on a last second play. Pierre only rushed for 41 yards in the loss, but DiIvory Edgecomb proved more than capable of carrying the ball, as the RB rumbled for 101 yards and one score. As for Smith, his troubles continued as the quarterback completed just 16-of-27 passes for 210 yards. Smith also tossed two interceptions and was sacked twice.

The defense has been equally pathetic, as the team is being abused for 419.2 total ypg, and that has led to a whopping 30.8 ppg. FAU has been unable to stop the run or pass, as teams are rushing for 181.6 ypg against the Owls, while also torching the defensive unit for 237.6 ypg. The defense has also lacked big play ability all season and heads into this contest with just four takeaways and six sacks. The last time the Owls were on the field, the defense put forth a tremendous effort, limiting Middle Tennessee to just 323 total yards and 13 first downs. Despite the effort, the Owls were defeated on a Hail Mary pass. FAU shockingly limited the Blue Raiders to just 55 rushing yards, but once again the unit was unable to make many big plays, forcing just one turnover, while collecting just one sack.

This should be an interesting rematch of last year's Sun Belt title game. The Owls only played once at home this season, but were much better on their home field, and should continue that effort in front of a home crowd.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Florida Atlantic 28, Troy 24

Tuesday, October 7th, 8:00 p.m. (et)