GoMiddle.com picks 'em

Despite a depleted offense that was without several key players, the Blue Raiders rose to the occasion last week and defeated Bowling Green State, 24-13.

The win brought MT back to the .500 mark on the year as they capped their out-of-conference slate of their schedule at 2-2.

Now, all eyes are on the Blue Raiders as they turn their attention to Conference USA play. An early conference loss by defending champs Western Kentucky has left the door open for the Blue Raiders to capitalize on.

First up on their slate - Lane Kiffin and his Florida Atlantic Owls (1-3, 0-0).

With a roster that will most likely be depleted again on the offensive side of the ball, will the Blue Raiders have enough fire power to take out the Owls on the road?

As always, we give our picks below! Will Casey Bowman or Garrett Hinners remain perfect? Will Austin Lewis finally break down and pick MT to win a game? Check it out!

This game is going to be a doozy if you ask me.

I think MT pulls this one out via a last second field goal.

With an obvious depletion on the offensive side of the ball, MT will have to work for every yard and every point here. The emergence of Joc Bruce in Week 4 was great for MT, but that element of surprise has now been used, so I expect FAU to be ready for the Blue Raiders, who are likely out of tricks (sans a Maurice Gordon showing).

With that said, this will be one of those grind them out kind of games in my opinion. MT's defense has proven they can hang, and FAU is dealing with their own injuries on offense which have softened their firepower as well.

In the end, it's going to come down to who has the ball last. Canon Rooker from 41 yards out gets MT the win and the fast track to the CUSA East title.

Get ready for a second week in a row of bad football. I don’t think Stockstill or James play again this week and that’s bad news for MT, even when playing an underwhelming FAU team.

I want to say MT wins, I really do, but I can’t when they’re down their two best playmakers and a key cog of the offensive line as well.

The Blue Raider offense will continue to have some highs, some lows and some really low lows until they’re all back. As a result, MT will have to rely heavily on their defense, and while the defense has been better this year from past years, that’s still not a comforting thought.

I see both teams running the ball a lot early as they start feeling each other out. Ultimately, FAU will make more plays. Depleted and away, I see MT falling in this one. Lane Kiffin gets his first win in Conference USA.

Middle Tennessee will roll into Boca Raton, Florida with a record of 2-2 while Florida Atlantic has notched one victory to go along with three defeats. This game is an enigma to me. There are a lot of different variables in play. Will signal caller Brent Stockstill suit up and play? What about Richie James and his status?

Last week against Bowling Green, Middle had two guys, Joc Bruce and Brad Anderson, kind of come out of nowhere and ball out. Both of them rushed the ball for over 100 yards, both having 16 carries. Can they pick up where they left off? Another thing to consider is quarterback play. If Stockstill doesn’t play, the point guard of the offense will be John Urzua. He will need to play an efficient and clean game for MT to win.

FAU has played a few quality opponents in Navy and Wisconsin to start their year. Quarterback Daniel Parr is essentially a game manager. They don’t ask him to do much but he is formidable. They aren’t asking him to be Joe Montana out there, just a guy that steers the ship in the right direction.

The Owls do have a few tailbacks that can gash you for long runs. Devin Singletary, Gregory Howell Jr, and Kerrith Whyte Jr can get loose and bust through the defense. Guys like Jovante Moffatt, Reed Blankenship and Khalil Brooks need to be stout for the Raiders.

I expect this to be a close ballgame. I’ll take a stab in the dark and predict MT to win - barely.

Last year, Middle Tennessee rode I’Tavius Mathers, Richie James, and the “wildcat” to a 77-56 win over Florida Atlantic. Even though Mathers is gone and James is sidelined with an injury, offensive coordinator Tony Franklin will rely on the Blue Raider rushing attack once again in this matchup.

MT heads to Boca Raton after watching running backs Brad Anderson and Joc Bruce rush for 219 yards last week. They’ll need to do it again in the Florida heat with quarterback Brent Stockstill and receiver Richie James likely still sidelined with injuries. Facing a defense that has allowed 245.4 rushing yards per game this season, the Blue Raider backs will have another opportunity to lead the team to victory this week.

Middle Tennessee defensive coordinator Scott Shafer has done well against the previous two up-tempo offenses (Syracuse, Bowling Green) that MT has battled, and now must face the offense that is the collective brain child of Kendal Briles and Lane Kiffin. While he won’t completely ground the Owl offense, I think he will do just enough to bring home the victory.

Middle Tennessee wins the conference opener on the road, 31-27.

When it comes to picking MTSU football games this season, I’m honestly better off putting both schools on a wall and blindly throwing a dart to pick the winner. Brent Stockstill and Richie James are both out again, but the performances of John Urzua, Jocquez Bruce and Brad Anderson last week against Bowling Green provide some optimism.

If Bruce and Anderson can run like they did last week against FAU, and Urzua can avoid the costly turnvoers, I like MT’s chances.

I am not a big believer in Lane Kiffin and his 1-3 record to start the season. Granted, they were expected to get blown out against Wisconsin, but a 23-point beatdown against Navy and a 3-point loss to Buffalo don't exactly scream Conference USA powerhouse.

I’m taking MTSU in this one because I believe Bruce will replicate his success from last week.