PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's CFB Friday Totals Destroyer
(NCAAF) Middle Tennessee vs. WKU,
Total: 59.00 | -105.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 59.00 | -105.00 Over
Result: Loss
The total has been steamed up. I can understand why because both teams have good quarterbacks and a reputation for high scoring games.
But I believe the market isn't paying enough attention to each team's defense.
Brent Stockstill is the leading passer in Middle Tennessee State history. He recently returned from a collarbone injury and is not having a big season completing barely 55 percent of his passes. His top wide receiver, Richie James, remains out. Western Kentucky ranks No. 22 in pass defense. Only three teams in the nation have surrendered fewer 20-yard plus passes than the Hilltoppers. DeAndre Farris is one of the top cornerbacks in Conference USA.
Mike White is a very good quarterback for Western Kentucky. But the Hilltoppers are one-dimensional averaging just 69.4 yards rushing per game, last in the country. Not once has a Hilltopper runner gained at least 20 yards on a run. Middle Tennessee State ranks 19th in holding opponents to 3.5 yards per rush.
A key for Western Kentucky is protecting White. The Hilltoppers rank ninth-worst in the nation in sacks giving up 3.2 per game. They've permitted nine sacks during their last two games. Middle Tennessee State is a blitzing team with a sharp defensive coordinator in Scott Shafer, former head coach at Syracuse. The Blue Raiders have held foes to only 194 yards passing per game.
But I believe the market isn't paying enough attention to each team's defense.
Brent Stockstill is the leading passer in Middle Tennessee State history. He recently returned from a collarbone injury and is not having a big season completing barely 55 percent of his passes. His top wide receiver, Richie James, remains out. Western Kentucky ranks No. 22 in pass defense. Only three teams in the nation have surrendered fewer 20-yard plus passes than the Hilltoppers. DeAndre Farris is one of the top cornerbacks in Conference USA.
Mike White is a very good quarterback for Western Kentucky. But the Hilltoppers are one-dimensional averaging just 69.4 yards rushing per game, last in the country. Not once has a Hilltopper runner gained at least 20 yards on a run. Middle Tennessee State ranks 19th in holding opponents to 3.5 yards per rush.
A key for Western Kentucky is protecting White. The Hilltoppers rank ninth-worst in the nation in sacks giving up 3.2 per game. They've permitted nine sacks during their last two games. Middle Tennessee State is a blitzing team with a sharp defensive coordinator in Scott Shafer, former head coach at Syracuse. The Blue Raiders have held foes to only 194 yards passing per game.
