GoMiddle Picks MTSU/FAU

Last week the entire GoMiddle staff whiffed on the outcome for the MTSU/Marshall game.

Each person predicted Marshall to defeat the Blue Raiders.

Let's see how the gang does this week for when MTSU travels to FAU.

Below are the staff predictions.

Last week each staff member stubbed their toe when it came to predicting the outcome for the MTSU/Marshall game.

I am now buying stock in the Blue Raiders going forward. The Blue Raiders are not without their deficiencies and flaws, but I think that they are formidable enough to make a run for the Conference USA championship.

Marshall is not by any means flawless team, but Saturday's victory was an emphatic one.

Right now, the line for FAU/MT is at 11.5 in favor of the Owls.

This is entirely too high in my honest opinion. Yes, FAU is playing in the confines of their home stadium. Yes, the Owls have a stout team. The thing to recognize is that MT boasts a stout team in their own right.

FAU is good but not near the pedigree of Iowa, Michigan or Duke. Looks for Saturday's game to go right down to the wire. I think that MT will make enough plays down the stretch to get the victory.

I think that Asher O'Hara possesses that clutch gene and I think he comes up big, especially in crunch time.

The Blue Raider defense forced four turnovers en route to a 24 to 13 statement win over the preseason Conference USA East Division favorite Marshall Thundering Herd.

The Blue Raiders travel to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where they have won five of the last road meetings against the Owls.

Once again, the key for MT will be whether they can slow the pass attack against a FAU team led by Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Chris Robison. Robison leads the Conference USA in passing touchdowns with 12 despite being second in the league in passing yards with 1,412 yards.The line is 11.5; however I think this game will be closer than what the experts think.

O'Hara and Robison will duel it out; however I think FAU will come through clutch in what should be a classic finish. Middle Tennessee 35, Florida Atlantic 42

The feeling around this game is FAU has dominated MTSU. But, the exact opposite is true.

Middle Tennessee is 9-1 in their last ten meetings against the Owls. In the Kiffin era the Blue Raiders are 1-1. The differences in this game are FAU at home and tempo. FAU averages almost 20 more plays a game than MTSU and their offense is much better than their opponents.

I can see Middle's defense getting worn down over the game and FAU claiming victory at the final whistle. The line is FAU -10 (as I type this) and that's exactly where I expect it to end up.

FAU 31 - MTSU 21

Labeled “The Stock Bowl” by Middle Tennessee athletics, father and son will face off this weekend as the Blue Raiders travel to south Florida for a showdown with Florida Atlantic. Since the athletic department is calling it a bowl game, I fully expect the Blue Raiders to lose this weekend.

Five games into the 2019 season, Middle Tennessee’s offense remains the Asher O’Hara show. O’Hara, the Blue Raiders first year starting quarterback, leads the team in passing yards, rushing yards, and rushing attempts. This makes the Florida Atlantic defensive gameplay remarkably simple - stop Asher O’Hara by any means necessary.

It doesn’t help that former Middle Tennessee quarterback turned Florida Atlantic assistant coach Brent Stockstill knows the Blue Raider system and personnel as well as any other coach in the league.

The Middle Tennessee defense will put together another solid performance, but Lane Kiffin’s offense will find a way to score enough to pull out the win in Florida by a final score of 31-27.