The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and Missouri Tigers meet Saturday in week 2 college football action at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Preview

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders look for a bounce back performance after getting blasted by Alabama in their opener. MTSU looks to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2020. Nicholas Vattiato is completing 65.6 percent of his passes for 127 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Jaiden Credle and Jekail Middlebrook have combined for 46 receiving yards on 5 catches, while DJ England-Chisolm has 3 receptions. The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders ground game is averaging 78 yards per contest, and Jekail Middlebrook leads the way with 32 yards on 8 carries. Defensively, Middle Tennessee is allowing 56 points and 431 yards per game. Jakobe Thomas leads the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders with 8 tackles, Parker Hughes has 1 sack and Jalen Jackson has 1 pass deflection.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Team Facts

• Middle Tennessee has won each of its last three games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Middle Tennessee has covered the spread in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
• Middle Tennessee has lost the first half in each of its last five games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference.
• Each of Middle Tennessee’s last four games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Missouri Tigers Betting Preview

The Missouri Tigers look for another win after beating up on South Dakota last week. Missouri looks for its first 2-0 start since the 2018 season. Brady Cook is completing 81 percent of his passes for 172 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. Luther Burden III and Mekhi Miller have combined for 145 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Nathaniel Peat has 2 receptions. The Missouri Tigers ground game is averaging 211 yards per contest, and Cody Schrader leads the way with 138 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Missouri is allowing 10 points and 194 yards per game. Johnny Walker Jr. leads the Missouri Tigers with 6 tackles, Marvin Burks Jr. has 2 sacks and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has 1 pass deflection.

Missouri Tigers Team Facts

• Missouri has won each of its last 14 games against non-conference opponents at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
• The underdog has covered the spread in six of Missouri’s last seven games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
• Missouri has won the first half in each of its last 14 games against non-conference opponents at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
• Missouri has won the first quarter in 12 of its last 14 games against non-conference opponents at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
• Five of Missouri’s last six games against non-conference opponents at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Missouri ranked T21st among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.615).
• Missouri ranked 26th among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (5.8).
• Middle Tennessee ranked 6th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (3.9).
• Middle Tennessee ranked 29th among FBS teams for H1 points per game last season (17.6).

Randy’s Pick

The Missouri Tigers blowing the doors off here at home wouldn’t be surprising, but they didn’t do that to South Dakota last week. This is also a look ahead game for Missouri, with a ranked Kansas State on deck next week. MTSU isn’t anything special, but it did play its opener on the road against Alabama, and if that doesn’t get you ready for the season, nothing will. Lot of points for a Missouri team that probably has one eye on next week already. I’ll take a shot with the 3 free touchdowns.