BREAKING IT DOWN

> Records: Miami (1-1) vs. Arkansas State (1-1)

> Kickoff, TV: 3:30 p.m., Sun Life Stadium, ESPNU

> History: Canes beat the Red Wolves 42-10 in their only meeting back in 1997

> Spread: Miami favored by 16 points

> Counting stars - Miami: Canes have 3 five-star recruits (two on defense), 18 four-star recruits (nine on each side), 27 three-star recruits (14 on offense), 1 two-star recruit (defense) and 2 no-star recruits (defense) on their depth chart. Among that group, nine of those players are projected to be taken in next year's draft according to NFLDraftScout.com. Those are: RB Duke Johnson (2nd RD), MLB Denzel Perryman (2nd RD), LT Ereck Flowers (2nd RD), CB Ladarius Gunter (4th RD), WR Phillip Dorsett (4th-5th RD), DE Anthony Chickillo (4th-5th RD), TE Clive Walford (5th RD), LG Jon Feliciano (6th-7th RD) and DL Olsen Pierre (6th-7th).

> Counting stars - Arkansas State: Red Wolves have 9 three-star recruits (five on defense), 31 two-star recruits (16 on offense) and five no-star recruits (3 on defense) on their depth chart. The only player on the NFL radar for next year's draft is LB Qushaun Lee.

> Injuries: Miami will be without one of its top receivers and returnmen in Stacy Coley (shoulder). Arkansas State is more banged up. Leading rusher Michael Gordon (bruised ribs) is doubtful and starting strong safety Chris Humes is out with a torn bicep. Lee, who led the Sun Belt with 2013 tackles in 2013, is questionable with bruised ribs.

> Who are these guys?: The Red Wolves are three-time consecutive Sun Belt Conference Champions and have a track record of going on the road and playing BCS caliber teams competitively. In 2008, they actually opened their season with an 18-14 win at Texas A&M. But that's been their only win in 16 games against BCS conference programs since 2007. Last week they lost at Tennessee 34-19. In 2013 they they lost at Auburn 38-9 and Missouri 41-19. In 2012, they lost a shootout at Oregon 57-34 and were crushed at Nebraska 42-13. In 2011, they lost 33-15 at Illinois and got beaten at Virginia Tech 26-7. In 2010, they opened with a 52-26 loss at Auburn and were beaten by Louisville at home 34-24. In 2009, they lost at Nebraska 38-9 and nearly pulled off an upset at 13th-ranked Iowa dropping a 24-21 heartbreaker. Three weeks later they lost at Louisville 21-13. In 2008, they lost 35-0 at second-ranked Alabama after opening the season with an 18-14 win at Texas A&M. And in 2007 they lost at then fourth-ranked Texas 21-13 in the opener before losing 48-27 three weeks later at Tennessee.

> Arkansas State offense versus Miami defense: Junior quarterback Fredi Knighton (5-11, 189) will have added pressure on his shoulders with his number one option in the backfield in Gordon out. One of his top receivers J.D. McKissic is battling a shoulder injury. Coach Al Golden called Knighton "the best quarterback runner we've faced." Miami's defense, which appears improved over last year, will have the challenge of trying to stop an uptempo offense. Still, Miami should win this battle up front. Arkansas State’s collective offensive line entered the season with the nation’s third fewest combined starts in the nation. The Red Wolves returned just two offensive lineman with starting experience: sophomore right tackle Colton Jackson and senior right guard Alan Wright.

> Miami offense versus Arkansas State defense: True freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya has struggled and his offensive line didn't look very good in the opener against Louisville. Still, Miami's talent up front should be better than Arkansas State's, which has one lineman to watch in former LSU defensive tackle Dexter Blackmon (6-4, 268). Where the Red Wolves have talent and experience is the secondary. The defensive backfield has combined to start 106 career games, which is among the sixth highest in the nation. The Wolves have allowed only two touchdown passes and have three interceptions this season. Expect Miami to run plenty. Tenneesee had success on the ground against Arkansas State with 168 yards and two scores on 45 carries. Lee is their do-it-all cleanup man.

> Special teams: It will be an important week for kicker Matt Goudis to bounce back. He was 2-of-4 on field goals against Florida A&M. The rest of Miami's special teams units have also had blunders in each of their first two games, surrendering a kickoff return for a score at Louisville and an errant snap on a punt that led to FAMU's only touchdown. Arkansas State kicker Luke Ferguson is a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals, 5-of-6 on extra points and is averaging 45 yards a punt. McKissic is their explosive return guy.

> Prediction: Miami 42-17