In a battle of two schools that like to run the football, Coach Brad Lambert and the Charlotte 49ers (+17) are ready to face off against their conference nemesis Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (-17) at Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN 3 and the opening kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET.
Charlotte 49ers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Preview
In this Saturday Conference USA game, Middle Tennessee has been projected as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 17 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to spend $1,200 to win $100 back on the Blue Raiders (-1200). The 49ers are getting +710 moneyline odds. There will likely be some decent live betting opportunities for this matchup, and oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 52.5 points.
This game’s opening line was -17, while the total hasn’t moved since it opened at 52.5.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this year as the 49ers have gained 1.9 units while the Blue Raiders are ahead 1.6 units.
The 49ers are 3-3 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against CUSA opponents. The Blue Raiders are 3-3 SU overall and 2-1 SU in conference play.
The Niners are looking to maintain momentum after a solid 40-14 victory over Western Kentucky last week where the 49ers completed 17-of-26 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown. Chris Reynolds went 12-for-19 for 119 yards while Evan Shirreffs completed five-of-seven for 118 yards and one touchdown. Benny LeMay (121 rushing yards on 17 attempts, two TDs) and Calvin Camp (38 yards on 12 carries) spearheaded the ground attack in the win while Victor Tucker (nine receptions, 91 yards) and Rico Arnold (two catches, 36 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties.
One week ago, FIU knocked off this Middle Tennessee team by a score of 24-21. The Blue Raiders defensive secondary allowed the Golden Panthers to air it out for 311 yards and two touchdowns. CJ Worton put up a good showing, recording 113 yards on five catches for FIU. As a group, the Blue Raiders collectively completed 15-of-27 passes for 142 yards and one interception. Asher O’Hara went nine-for-20 for 114 yards and one interception while Brent Stockstill was six-of-seven for 28 yards. O’Hara (85 yards on 21 rush attempts, one TD) and Tavares Thomas (26 yards on 10 carries, two TDs) handled the ground game in the defeat while Ty Lee (five receptions, 74 yards) and Patrick Smith (three catches, 19 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Charlotte’s run the ball on 61.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Middle Tennessee has an overall rush percentage of 50.9 percent. The 49ers have produced 141 rush yards/game (including 150 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have nine scores via handoffs this year. The Blue Raiders are averaging 130 rush yards per game (142 in conference) and have nine total rushing TDs.
The Niners offense has logged 215 yards per contest in the air overall (211 per game against conference opposition) and has seven passing scores so far. The Blue Raiders have produced 239 pass yards per game (239.3 against CUSA competition) and have 10 total pass TDs.
Charlotte has allowed opponents to run for an average of 92 yards and throw for 237 yards per game. The Middle Tennessee defense has allowed 231.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 181.7 yards per game on the ground. The Blue Raiders are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.65 to opposing QBs, while the 49ers have given up a 7.48 ANY/A.
Offensively, Reynolds is up to 979 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has completed 64 percent of his 129 attempts with six scores through the air and only one interception. Reynolds has a 6.81 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 4.71 over the last two games.
Brent Stockstill has connected on 101-of-146 passes for 1,010 yards, eight TDs and three INTs for Middle Tennessee. His ANY/A stands at 6.28 for the year and 6.69 over his past two outings.
When these two programs met last year, Middle Tennessee knocked off Charlotte by two touchdowns 35-21.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Charlotte 49ers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Middle Tennessee D has tallied 15 sacks on the year while Charlotte has 10.
The Middle Tennessee offense has lost five fumbles this season while the Charlotte offense has lost six.
The 49ers offense has created five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Blue Raiders have put up four such plays.
The Charlotte defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Middle Tennessee has given up five such plays.
The Charlotte offense has created seven rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Middle Tennessee has created five such runs.
The 49ers defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Blue Raiders have given up 10 such runs.
The O/U for Middle Tennessee’s previous outing was set at 60.5. The under cashed in the 24-21 defeat to FIU.
Over its last three matchups, Middle Tennessee is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Over its last three games, Charlotte is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Charlotte’s previous game was 44. The over cashed in the team’s 40-14 victory over Western Kentucky.
As a team, Charlotte has averaged 2.9 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.3 over its last two.
Middle Tennessee has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.9 over its past two.
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