MT/UTSA Staff Predictions

It's that time again for the GoMiddle staff members to give the MT game breakdown and score prediction.

This Friday MT will square off with the UTSA Roadrunners.

Without further adieu, here are the predictions.

Matt Dossett (2-0 on predictions for the season)

Middle Tennessee State has run into a buzzsaw against both Army and against Troy.

Due to changing circumstances, MTSU will go toe to toe with UTSA Friday night. My confidence in the Blue Raiders is completely shot at this particular moment. The defense has been Swiss cheese and the offensive execution has been horrendous.

I also do not have faith in quarterbacks Asher O'Hara and Chase Cunningham. To be fair, they haven't received much help from their buddies up front.

UTSA is not exactly the New England Patriots. They have defeated both Texas State and Stephen F. Austin, making them 2-0 on the season.

Look for UTSA to attempt to run the rock right down MT's throat. The primary horse in the stable is Sincere McCormick He has posted an impressive 6.1 yards per carry and his longest run busted for 58 yards.

QB Frank Harris is a guy that could be dubbed a game manager. He has the ability to not only pass but run as well. In fact, Harris has 28 rushes on the early season.

Look for MT to bring a little more juice in this game, but in the end, UTSA pulls out a victory.

UTSA 27

MT 20

Rickey Fuquay Jr. (2-0 on the season)

It was a rough afternoon for Middle Tennessee offensively as the Blue Raiders mustered 241 yards and committed three turnovers en route to a 47 to 14 setback against Sun Belt Conference rival Troy in The Battle for the Palladium.

This was supposed to be a BYE week; however the real season begins Friday night under the bright lights for MTSU due to a party bus celebration by Memphis resulting in the cancellation of the Memphis-UTSA game.Head Coach Rick Stockstill is 6-1 in C-USA openers. The Blue Raiders comes into this matchup ranked dead last in C-USA in total YPG, passing YPG, rushing YPG and PPG. UTSA comes into this matchup ranked third in C-USA in total YPG, fourth in C-USA in passing YPG, second in C-USA in rushing YPG and third in C-USA in PPG.

If MT has any chance of securing their first win of the season, then somebody else will have to step up besides Redshirt Junior Quarterback Asher O'Hara because the dual-threat QB can't do it by himself.I can't believe I'm going out on a limb here picking the Roadrunners. The offense will continue to struggle while the defense will have trouble defending another dual-threat QB in Redshirt Sophomore Frank Harris resulting in an 0-3 start for the first time since 2011.

UTSA: 42

MT: 21

Tyler Pellom (2-0 on the season)

We all know the stat by now: MT has been outscored 89-14 through two games, with only one meaningful touchdown scored (the other was in garbage time vs. Troy).

While the results have been poor and the MT team has looked ill-prepared to start the season, I believe AD Chris Massaro has done the program a major disservice by scheduling this game. There was no need for it - CUSA was fine to allow MT to only play 7 conference games. Instead of taking the week off to get healthy and regroup, the entire team has to turn that part of their brain off and prepare for another opponent on short notice and with a short week due to this being a Friday game.

MT probably wouldn't have won anyway if the first two contests are any indication, but the administration has assured them they will go into this contest bloodied, bruised, and with one arm tied behind their back.

UTSA can run the football, hold the time of possession and stop the run - all things that directly attack MT's weaknesses.

This one could be ugly.

UTSA: 30

MT: 7