PREMIUM
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(NCAAF) Middle Tennessee vs. Charlotte,
Point Spread: -4.50 | -106.00 Middle Tennessee (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -4.50 | -106.00 Middle Tennessee (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Blue Raiders were 6-2 heading into their home game against UTSA two weeks ago, but the team's star QB, also the head coach's son, was lost for the remainder of the regular season after breaking his right collarbone (non-throwing arm). Rick Stockstill had thrown for 2,801 yards with 27 TDs and just five INTs and his efforts still leave MTSU 11th in the nation in passing, averaging 329.2 PPG. However, the Blue Raider lost 45-25 to UTSA and then got creamed last week 42-17 at Marshall. Charlotte is off a tough home loss last week, as Rice won its first C-USA game of the season after being down 21-0 midway through the second quartet at Charlotte, before pulling out a 22-21 victory.
Middle Tennessee State: The Blue Raiders actually led 17-14 at the half but fell apart in the second half at Marshall last week, as the Thundering Herd used four TD passes by QB Chase Litton and 109 rushing yards from Anthony Anderson to claim a 42-17 win. Redshirt freshman John Urzua is now the new No. 1 for the remainder of the season. He was 25 of 37 through the air for 220 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions at Marshall last week. The good news is that RB I'Tavius Mathers is one of C-USA's top offensive threats, rushing for 1,190 yards on 6.4 YPC with 13 TDs, while also hauling in 54 catches for another three TDs.
Charlotte: Charlotte is an improved team and had won three of its previous four games before last week's loss. The offense looks much different with Klugh at quarterback, as he is able to create something out of nothing on broken plays. However, while the North Carolina A&T transfer is a very good runner ( 383 yards and five TDs), he leaves a lot to be desired as a passer. Last week's loss at home loss to Rice (blew a 21-0 lead) was tough to swallow. It was even more troubling considering that the week before that, the 49ers rallied on the road for a 38-27 win behind the play of quarterback Hasaan Klugh, which was the young program's best win since transitioning into FBS. However, the 49ers essentially gave back that good win with their collapse at home against Rice.
The pick: The Blue Raiders are trying to get used to life after Stockstill but RB Mathers is coming off of his worse performance of the season, so expect a big bounce back effort from one of the best players in C-USA. Let's not forget that in last year's meeting between these two teams, the Blue Raiders won 73-14, as the 49ers had four first-half turnovers and seven overall. That gap has not been closed enough for this not to be a play on MTSU at this price. MTSU is an 8* play.
Middle Tennessee State: The Blue Raiders actually led 17-14 at the half but fell apart in the second half at Marshall last week, as the Thundering Herd used four TD passes by QB Chase Litton and 109 rushing yards from Anthony Anderson to claim a 42-17 win. Redshirt freshman John Urzua is now the new No. 1 for the remainder of the season. He was 25 of 37 through the air for 220 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions at Marshall last week. The good news is that RB I'Tavius Mathers is one of C-USA's top offensive threats, rushing for 1,190 yards on 6.4 YPC with 13 TDs, while also hauling in 54 catches for another three TDs.
Charlotte: Charlotte is an improved team and had won three of its previous four games before last week's loss. The offense looks much different with Klugh at quarterback, as he is able to create something out of nothing on broken plays. However, while the North Carolina A&T transfer is a very good runner ( 383 yards and five TDs), he leaves a lot to be desired as a passer. Last week's loss at home loss to Rice (blew a 21-0 lead) was tough to swallow. It was even more troubling considering that the week before that, the 49ers rallied on the road for a 38-27 win behind the play of quarterback Hasaan Klugh, which was the young program's best win since transitioning into FBS. However, the 49ers essentially gave back that good win with their collapse at home against Rice.
The pick: The Blue Raiders are trying to get used to life after Stockstill but RB Mathers is coming off of his worse performance of the season, so expect a big bounce back effort from one of the best players in C-USA. Let's not forget that in last year's meeting between these two teams, the Blue Raiders won 73-14, as the 49ers had four first-half turnovers and seven overall. That gap has not been closed enough for this not to be a play on MTSU at this price. MTSU is an 8* play.
