GoMiddle Picks MTSU/Michigan

Week one of the college football season is finally upon us. Not even a week ago the GoMiddle staff predicted the outcome for the 2019 season.

As far as the season predictions are concerned, each staff member picked .500 or worse for the Blue Raiders in 2019.

Below is the breakdown for the MTSU/Michigan contest.

Matthew Dossett. Season Prediction: 6-6

I predicted the Blue Raiders to go 6-6 in regular season play.

I think that MTSU will be middle of the pack in the C-USA East Division and 1-3 in out of conference play.

Michigan hosts MTSU Saturday night, and while I'm typing this, the line is -34 in favor of the Wolverines. I think the margin of defeat for MTSU will be around that number.

The Wolverines should be too much to handle, especially on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Regardless of who MT's quarterback is, it should be a tough outing, as Michigan is very big up front, but also possesses a lot of team speed on defense.

Quarterback Shea Patterson for Michigan possesses the ability to slice you up through the air but also with his legs.

This may surprise some, but I think that MTSU will keep the score respectable at halftime. Maybe something like 21-7. As the game drags on though, I expect the Wolverines to cruise comfortably to a victory.

Another thing is the quarterback situation for the Blue Raiders. I expect both Asher O'Hara and Randall Johnson to play and get their shot to sustain success.

I expect the Wolverines defense to key in on stud MT receiver Ty Lee. He's the main guy for MT that can dash defenses.

Prediction:

Michigan: 45

Middle Tennessee State: 13

Rickey Fuquay Jr. Season Prediction: 5-7

Middle Tennessee enters the 2019 season with a defense that has potential of being the best in Conference USA led by Junior Safety Reed Blankenship and Redshirt Senior Linebacker Khalil Brooks.

This game will come down to whether the Blue Raiders can stay competitive against a Wolverine team that has potential of making the College Football Playoffs as the Big Ten champions for the first time under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.

The Blue Raiders will be led by Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Asher O’Hara after Brent Stockstill graduated and accepted a job position as an offensive player personnel assistant at Florida Atlantic. They will have a difficult time moving the ball up and down the field against a Wolverine defense that has potential of being dominant despite losing Rashan Gary (GB), Chase Winovich (NE) and Devin Bush, Jr. (PIT) to the 2018 NFL Draft.

Meanwhile, Redshirt Senior Quarterback Shea Patterson, the transfer from Ole Miss, will pick apart the Blue Raider defense all game long and put this game out of reach by halftime.

In the end, the Blue Raiders will drop their third straight season opener in blowout fashion.

Prediction:

Michigan: 56

MTSU: 3

Austin Lewis. Season Prediction: 5-7

There’s nothing to like about this matchup. Michigan is bigger, stronger, and faster. And, barring several Michigan turnovers and a season full of luck, there is no way Middle Tennessee pulls out the win this weekend.

Middle Tennessee’s season will open with a very big loss in the Big House.

Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown will dial up the pressure to attack the Blue Raider offense early and often. It’s a win if the Tony Franklin’s offense crosses midfield.

Defensive coordinator Scot Shafer will have his his hands full with the Michigan offense. In the end, Shafer’s defense will collapse against the sheer power of the Michigan rushing attack.

Middle Tennessee loses the game by a final score of 63-6

Prediction:

Michigan: 63

MTSU: 6

Garrett Hinners. Season Prediction: 3-9

Michigan is ranked seventh in the nation and playing at home in a matchup with Middle Tennessee State, so let's keep this short and sweet. Michigan is better at every single position, better coached, heck, their water boys are probably better. College football is about blowing every opponent away now more than ever. A team must leave no doubt who was the best one on the field. Especially a team like Michigan that many pick to be in a playoff spot. Now, I'm a betting man and the spread is set at 34 points right now. I think that's too small. Michigan wins this easily and covers the spread. 48-7.

Prediction:

Michigan: 48

MTSU: 7