GoMiddle.com picks 'em

The Blue Raiders bounced back in a major way last week, defeating Syracuse 30-23 on the road.

Now, Middle Tennessee has their sights set on another Power 5 opponent - one they are a bit more familiar with - as they travel to Minnesota to take on head coach PJ Fleck and the Gophers.

Once again, the staffers here at GoMiddle.com take a stab at predicting the results. So far, Casey Bowman and Garrett Hinners are a perfect 2-0 on the year - can the others catch up?

@mpatrick5g

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are similar to Syracuse, MTSU’s opponent last week. They are a run-first team that employs a running back-by-committee system.

Syracuse ran the ball 49 times against the Blue Raiders last week, and Minnesota averages 55 carries per game. So, if MTSU employs a similar defensive game plan as last week, they should be in business.

The Golden Gophers average 35.2 points per contest, while giving up just 10.5 points. They are more susceptible to allowing passing yards (178 yards per game) than rushing yards (65 yards per game) and with the style MTSU likes to employ, this matchup plays into their favor.

However, facing a Power 5 school for a third-consecutive week is a taxing request. Do the Blue Raiders have it within themselves to pull it off again? So far, I’m 0-2 picking MTSU games this year. When I bet against them, they win. When I pick them, they lose. So, I’m in a real catch 22 here. I’m going to go with my gut and say MTSU pulls it off again this week.

@MatthewD9999

It was ugly at times, but MT got the job done versus Syracuse and have now turned their attention towards the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.

The Gophers have defeated Buffalo and Oregon State to start the year. I don’t know a ton about hose opponents but I would venture to say MT would have the upper hand against both Buffalo and Oregon State.

PJ Fleck, formerly at Western Michigan, strikes me as a good and up-and-coming star in the profession. He does have some good players at his disposal. QB Conor Rhoda was recently named the starer. Rhoda can sling the ball around a bit but Minnesota does not rely on him to throw all that often. He has 19 completions on 28 attempts for 334 yards this year. Worth noting, that is an impressive 68 percent completion rate.

The Golden Gophers have a handful of guys that can tote the rock for Coach Fleck’s squad. Rodney Smith is the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to carries and yards with 53 carries for 168 yards. That is 3.2 yards a carry. They do have a guy who gets more yards on average. Shannon Brooks has 35 carries for 160 yards. That is 4.6 yards per carry.

At receiver Tyler Johnson gets the lion’s share of targets and receptions. For MT on defense it will be a chess match. It will be interesting to see if MT tries to clamp down and make the Gophers throw more.

I’ll try again with the same take as last week. Ultimately I think MT scraps and claws, hanging in there with Minnesota but in the end I think Minnesota has more talent across the board and win.

@GarrettHinners

I’m 2-0 to start the season… and unfortunately for Middle Tennessee fans, I will be 3-0 after this weekend.

This game will not be shootout, the Gophers defense is too good for all that. Minnesota will also dominate time of possession as well. MTSU’s defense played much better last week and through two games has been much improved compared to the past couple of seasons, but they do not have the talent to stop Minnesota’s running attack, I’m afraid. Slash and Bash will do their thing and keep Brent and company off the field.

All isn’t lost though, Middle Tennessee will compete here and go 1-2 through a very difficult three game stretch to open the season. Even though they lose here I’m standing firm on my 9-3 season prediction.

@austinlewistn

Whatever pixie dust Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck has sprinkled on the Gopher program is working. And it’s working much faster than most anticipated. The result is a bad matchup for Middle Tennessee. A really bad matchup.

Fleck has infused the Minnesota football program with a much needed double-shot of energy, and it’s paid off. The Golden Gophers have squeaked out a ten point win over Buffalo at home and exploded for 48 points against Oregon State.

Returning to the friendly confines of TCF Bank Stadium, Minnesota will have another impressive offensive performance against the Blue Raiders this weekend. The Golden Gopher offense will use running backs Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks to set up the play-action passing game for quarterback Conor Rhoda.

If Middle Tennessee is to pull out their second straight win over a Power-5 opponent, it will come from the arm of quarterback Brent Stockstill and the hands of the Blue Raider receivers. Quite frankly, I don’t have faith in the offensive line to open holes for the running backs and I’Tavius Mathers isn’t running through the door anytime soon.

In the end, the lack of a consistent run game and the offenses struggles to convert on third down will drop the Blue Raiders to a 1-2 record. Minnesota wins the game 31-24.

@_thebowmanator

My score predictions have been rather close to start the year, so I see no need is straying away from what's working.

Unfortunately for Blue Raider fans - yes, I do have the Raiders on the short end of the stick this week.

Ultimately, this game comes down to the first quarter in my opinion. If MT is to win this game, they need to put up points on their very first possession, and then again before the quarter is up. That's the key.

If MT creates a semblance of separation early, it could force Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck's hand. Everyone knows what Minnesota is going to do. They run the ball. But... if you get up early, you can force them to abandon that plan and take them out of their comfort zone. That's where turnovers and miscues happen. And that's Middle Tennessee's hope in this game.

All that said, I just don't see it happening. I expect the Gophers to dominate the time of possession game, and I think MT comes up short in the end. I anticipate a strong performance from QB Brent Stockstill and his receivers, and given the close score I'm predicting - I'm even envisioning some sort of late comeback here.

In the end, it won't be enough. Take the Raiders with the points, but the Gophers take the win.