It looks like a potential defensive battle as the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-3) play the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-2). This game will feature the nation’s fifth-leading receiver, Ed’Marques Batties (446 yards, 7 TDs). It will begin Saturday, Oct 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBSS.
Middle Tennessee lost a close one to Illinois 27-25 last week. Ed’Marques Batties had a big game in the loss, registering 13 receptions for 175 yards and two TDs. Richie James also had a big game with 141 receiving yards and a TD on 12 receptions. Vanderbilt fell short, getting beat by Mississippi 27-16 in its matchup. Steven Scheu had a solid outing for the Commodores, totaling five receptions for 57 yards. Trent Sherfield finished with 55 receiving yards on seven receptions.
Oddsmakers have deemed the Middle Tennessee and Vanderbilt game as an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently uavailable.
Heading into Week 5 of the college football season, the Blue Raiders are 2-2 SU, but undefeated Against The Spread (ATS). They come into the game with the 12th-ranked scoring offense in the nation, averaging 44.5 points per game. The Blue Raiders have an efficient passing attack that has a completion percentage of 68.7%, good enough for 18th in the country. Middle Tennessee’s scoring defense, which allows 23.0 points per game, will have a chance to build upon its numbers against the Commodores. Middle Tennessee’s defense will look to improve its stats against the run when the Commodores come to town. Vanderbilt’s 139 rushing yards per game makes them 104th in the nation. The Commodores need to watch out for Middle Tennessee’s tenacious defense. They average the 12th-most turnovers with 2.5 per game. Middle Tennessee’s special teams are one of its strengths. They earn 149.2 return yards per game, putting them eighth in Division I.
On the other side, the Commodores are a good bet so far, with a respectable record of 2-1-1 ATS. Their SU record, 1-3, hasn’t been quite as good. The Commodores like to keep the ball in the air. On average, they pass 41.2 times per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee
Notes
Middle Tennessee is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Middle Tennessee’s last 9 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vanderbilt’s last 6 games on the road.
Vanderbilt is 1-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Middle Tennessee is 2-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
Nationally, the Middle Tennessee passing attack is ranked 22nd, while the Vanderbilt pass defense is only ranked 47th. The Commodores passing game is ranked 35th, compared to the 78th-ranked pass defense of the Blue Raiders.
Vanderbilt has given up 19.8 points per game this year, which is ranked only 101st in the country. Middle Tennessee has put up 44.5 points per contest this year and is ranked 11th in FBS.
