Middle Tennessee State possesses a potent offense that is averaging 40.0 points per game and 537 total yards at 6.6 yards per play this season. The Blue Raiders’ attack is being coached by offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who served in the same capacity at California from 2013 to 2015. Franklin is widely regarded as a quarterback guru after developing Jared Goff into the #1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Middle Tennessee State quarterback Brent Stockstill is having a solid 2016 campaign, completing 65.5% of his pass attempts for 7.7 yards per pass play with 11 touchdowns. Stockstill has one of the conference’s best wide receiving units to throw to, with offensive player of the year candidate Richie James leading the way with 28 receptions for 338 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Blue Raiders should have success moving the chains through the air against a subpar Louisiana Tech secondary that is allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 62.5% of their pass attempts for 8.3 yards per pass play.
The Bulldogs have also allowed 40.0 points per game in their first two road games this season, with opposing quarterbacks completing 70.8% of their pass attempts for 10.2 yards per pass play.
Middle Tennessee State also boasts a very good ground game led by Mississippi transfer I’Tavius Mathers, who has garnered 284 rushing yards on 47 carries with four touchdowns (6.0 yards per carry).
The scheduling situation also favors Middle Tennessee State as the Bulldogs are traveling for the third time in four weeks and are coming off an exhausting 59-45 loss at Texas Tech last week. From a technical standpoint, the Blue Raiders are a profitable 7-1 ATS in their last eight games in September and 10-3-1 ATS in conference home games.
Lay the points with the underrated Blue Raiders as Oskeim Sports Free College Football Pick for Saturday, September 24.