The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (+31) will meet the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:15 p.m. ET and ESPN2 is scheduled to broadcast the action.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Georgia Bulldogs Betting Preview
Middle Tennessee is a heavy road dog here and is currently receiving 31 points by oddsmakers. If the Dawgs stumble early on it will create a solid in-game betting scenario. The over/under for this game hasn’t yet been determined.
The line opened at -31, but has recently shifted.
The Blue Raiders have gained 0.0 units so far in 2018 and are 1-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an Over-Under record of 1-1. The Bulldogs are up 1.0 unit this season. The team is 1-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-0.
The Blue Raiders have gone 1-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Bulldogs are 2-0 SU.
The Blue Raiders are coming off a resounding 61-37 victory over UT Martin last week. Brent Stockstill completed 23 passes on 32 attempts for 396 yards and five touchdowns. Chaton Mobley (66 rushing yards on 14 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Stockstill (-10 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack. Brad Anderson (six receptions, 141 yards) and Patrick Smith (five catches, 87 yards, three TDs) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Georgia is coming off of a blowout 41-17 win over South Carolina. The Dawgs defensive secondary allowed the Gamecocks to air it out for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Bryan Edwards was a bright spot in the loss for South Carolina, recording 111 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches. For Georgia, Jake Fromm completed 15-of-18 passes for 194 yards, one touchdown and one interception. D’Andre Swift (64 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) and James Cook (38 yards on 11 carries) handled the running game while Mecole Hardman (six receptions, 103 yards, one TD) and Riley Ridley (four catches, 37 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Middle Tennessee’s run the ball on 50 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Georgia has a rush percentage of 64.9 percent. The Blue Raiders have produced 102 rush yards per game and have two scores on the ground this year. The Dawgs are averaging 278 rush yards per game and have six total rushing TDs.
If 2018 results are any indication, then it appears the Dawgs should hold an edge in all aspects of the ground game, since their backfield has produced 6.5 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 3.0 to opponents. The Blue Raiders have ran for 3.0 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 3.6 to opponents.
The Blue Raiders offensive scheme has averaged 287 yards in the air overall and has six passing TDs so far. The Dawgs have recorded 213 pass yards per outing and have four total pass scores.
Defensively, Middle Tennessee has allowed 139 rush yards and 264 pass yards per game. The Georgia D has allowed 171.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 72.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Dawgs are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.14 to opposing QBs, while the Blue Raiders have allowed a 6.51 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Stockstill has put up 396 yards on the year. He’s completed 23-of-32 attempts with five scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. He’s got a 13.60 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 7.78 over the last two games.
We’re looking for Blue Raiders to control tempo by getting the ball in the hands of their running backs. CJ Windham (86 yards, two TDs) has been a recent factor in the receiving game, but backfield mates Brad Anderson (zero rush yards, 141 receiving yards) and Chaton Mobley (66 rush yards, two rush TDs) have really been focal points in the Middle Tennessee offensive scheme.
In the other huddle, Jake Fromm has completed 15-of-18 passes for 194 yards, one TD and one INT. Fromm’s ANY/A stands at 7.75 for the year and 9.78 over his past two games.
The Dawgs also prefer to leverage their backfield. In addition to Mecole Hardman (103 receiving yards, one receiving TD), D’Andre Swift (64 rush yards, one rush TD, five receiving yards) and James Cook (38 rush yards) have seen plenty of looks recently.
Betting Pick: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Georgia Bulldogs
SU Winner – Georgia, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Blue Raiders have made four pass plays of 30+ yards while the Bulldogs have accounted for three such plays.
The Middle Tennessee defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Georgia has given up one such play.
The Middle Tennessee offense has created three rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Georgia has created five such runs.
The Blue Raiders defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have given up zero such runs.
The Middle Tennessee D has sacked opposing QBs six times this year. Georgia has registered one sacks.
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