The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks meet in week 9 college football action from AmFirst Stadium on Wednesday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State prediction.
Middle Tennessee Recap
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders come into this one looking to build on a 14-5 win over Kennesaw State last time out to fall to 2-5 on the year. After this game, Middle Tennessee will square off against UTEP on the road.
Blue Raiders Trying To Get Back On Track
Nicholas Vattiato has thrown for 1,760 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions on 63.6% passing while Jaiden Credle has a team-high 302 rushing yards and 3 TDs. Omari Kelly leads the Blue Raiders with 38 receptions for 651 yards and 3 touchdowns while Holden Willis has 33 receptions for 491 yards. Myles Butler, Gamarion Carter, and Cam’ron Lacy each have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, John Howse IV has a team-high 36 total tackles along with a pair of interceptions while Middle Tennessee’s defense as a whole has combined for 12 sacks this season.
Why the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will win
- Middle Tennessee has covered the spread in three of its last four October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Jacksonville State Recap
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks come into this game looking to keep the ball rolling after their 54-13 win over New Mexico State last time out, prior to their bye week, to climb back to 3-3 on the year. After this game, Jacksonville State will head on the road for a matchup with Liberty.
Gamecocks Hoping To Make Middle Tennessee Next Victim
Tyler Huff has thrown for 1,269 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 66.4% passing while also leading the Gamecocks on the ground with 503 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Tre Stewart also has 472 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns while Anwar Lewis also has 127 rushing yards and 2 scores. Michael Pettway leads Jacksonville State’s receiving group with 14 grabs for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns while Cam Vaughn has 266 receiving yards and Brock Rechsteiner has 151 receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Antonio Carter has a team-high 50 total tackles while Reginald Hughes has a team-high 3 sacks this season. As a unit, Jacksonville State has combined for 10 sacks and 9 interceptions this season.
Why the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will win
- Middle Tennessee has lost each of its last nine road games.
- The favorite has won each of Middle Tennessee’s last seven games.
- Jacksonville State has covered the spread in each of its last four October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Middle Tennessee has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven road games against conference opponents.
Middle Tennessee vs. Jacksonville State Prediction
I’m on the Gamecocks here. Middle Tennessee got the win over Kennesaw State. Congrats. Who hasn’t? But being held to 14 points by Kennesaw is a bad look considering Jacksonville State hung 63 on the Owls a few weeks ago. And while it’s crazy to say, Kennesaw’s defense might be better than Middle Tennessee’s. This is a HUGE number for a .500 team, but I honestly think it’s justified. Give me Jacksonville State.