FACTS & STATS: Site: Carrier Dome (49,262) -- Syracuse, New York. Television: Times Warner Cable Sports. Home Record: Akron 1-2, Syracuse 2-3. Away Record: Akron 0-3, Syracuse 0-1. Neutral Record: Akron 0-0, Syracuse 0-0. Conference Record: Akron 0-0, Syracuse 0-2. Series Record: Akron leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Syracuse Orange will step out of conference action when they host the Akron Zips this Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome.

It has been a tough ride for the Zips in 2009, as the team heads into this weekend with five losses in its first six games, and that includes a four-game losing skid. The last time Akron was in action the team suffered a 21-17 setback to Buffalo on the road. It was the third road loss on the season for Akron, which finished last year with a strong 4-3 mark away from home.

As for the Orange, they are coming off a 34-13 loss to West Virginia. It was the second straight loss for Syracuse, which now has four setbacks on the season. Both of Syracuse's victories have come at the Carrier Dome this season, but since start of the 2007 campaign, the Orange have posted a mere 5-13 mark on their home field.

This will be just the second meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. Last year the Zips defeated the Orange by a solid, 42-28 margin.

The Zips' struggles this season can be pinned on the team's inability to produce at a high level offensively, as Akron comes into this weekend averaging only 294.8 total ypg, which has translated into just 19.0 ppg. The ground game is churning out 125.3 ypg on the season, but the passing attack has been woeful, mainly because of the troubles at quarterback. Two games into the season and starting quarterback Chris Jacquemain was dismissed from the team. Matt Rodgers, who took over as the starter is now lost for the season with a knee injury. That leaves Akron with Patrick Nicely, who has completed less than 50 percent of his passes thus far, and has zero touchdowns, while tossing two interceptions. Both those interceptions came in the team's recent loss to Buffalo, as the quarterback finished the contest with just 200 yards on 17-of-34 passing. The rushing attack was slightly better, thanks to DeVoe Torrence, who rumbled for 90 yards on 13 totes. Alex Allen added just 23 yards on the ground, but scored one of the team's two touchdowns.

On top of the poor performance offensively, the Zips have also had a tough time on the defensive side of the football. Akron is allowing 354.0 total ypg, and while that is not a terrible number, the unit comes into the weekend surrendering 26.2 ppg. Twelve of the 19 touchdowns allowed by this defense have come through the air, but the real issue for Akron thus far has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are gashing the Zips for 158.3 ypg on 4.1 yards per attempt. Creating big plays defensively has also been a problem, as the Zips come into this matchup with just 11 takeaways and four sacks. Although Akron was defeated by Buffalo over the weekend, the defense did put forth a strong showing, holding the Bulls to just 312 total yards, including just 107 rushing yards on a mere 2.9 ypc. Akron did force two turnovers in the setback and also recorded two sacks, but failed inside its own territory, allowing Buffalo to convert on all three of its red zone chances.

Much like their counterpart, the Orange have enjoyed little success offensively, and head into this meeting with Akron averaging just 23.0 ppg, behind a meager 313.2 total ypg. The ground game has been bottled up throughout the season, at just 90.3 yards per matchup. The passing attack has been slightly better, but Greg Paulus has been prone to errors even though he is completing 63.9 percent of his throws. The signal caller has thrown for 1,187 yards and eight touchdowns, but has also tossed 10 interceptions. The offensive woes for the Orange continued in the setback to West Virginia, as Syracuse was held to just 222 total yards, en route to the 20-point setback. Once again the ground game did very little, as the team amassed just 72 yards on 24 attempts. Paulus also struggled in the loss, as the signal caller completed just 5-of-9 passes for 30 yards and one interception. Ryan Nassib stepped in for the ineffective Paulus and performed at a much higher level, throwing for 120 yards and two scores.

The struggles this season for Syracuse can not be solely blamed on the performance of the offense, as the team has also dealt with major issues defensively. Syracuse is currently surrendering 29.5 ppg on 382.0 total yards per contest. Surprisingly the unit is holding opponents to only 97.3 rushing ypg. However, it is the defensive backfield that has been a huge disappointment thus far, getting torched for 284.7 ypg, and out of the 23 touchdowns allowed by this unit, 14 have come via the pass. In the recent loss to West Virginia the defense held the Mountaineers to just 127 rushing yards on 3.2 yards per attempt, but despite the solid showing against the run, the Orange still allowed four touchdowns on the ground. Syracuse did not make many big plays in the matchup, as the defense forced just one turnover, while allowing WVU to convert on all five of its red zone chances.

Neither team in this matchup has performed well, but the Orange have played better at home, and if Paulus can maintain a certain level of consistency, look for Syracuse to grab a victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Syracuse 31, Akron 14

Saturday, October 24th, 3:30 p.m. (et)