GoMiddle Picks MT/Duke

***Cover Photo: GoDuke.com***

It's that time of the week for the GoMiddle staff to dissect the MTSU game and predict the outcome.

Just in case you are not keeping tabs, Matthew Dossett, Rickey Fuquay Jr, and Austin Lewis are 2-0, while Garrett Hinners is 1-1.

Anyway, here are the picks for Middle Tennessee State game against the Duke Blue Devils.

Middle Tennessee State has exceeded the expectations I had prior to the season. I honestly thought that they would be a middle of the pack team in Conference USA.

After two games, I think they are capable of getting sweet redemption and winning the Conference USA championship.

The Blue Raiders welcome the Duke Blue Devils to the confines of Floyd Stadium Saturday evening.

I consider this game to be a statement opportunity for Middle. I don't mean that in the sense of a blowout or anything. I think this game will definitely be competitive and a nail biter.

Ultimately, I think Asher O'Hara and the Middle offense does just enough to get the team over the top and to 2-1 for the season.

This game has all the makings of an instant classic.

I expect the game to be back and forth with plenty of ebb and flow. I also expect the game to go right down to the wire. In the end, look for MT to make a statement to the college football world and prove that they can roll with teams from the big boy conferences.

Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Asher O'Hara became the first quarterback in Blue Raider history to throw for more than 300 yards and rush for more than 100 yards in a game as Middle Tennessee pulled away late in the 4th quarter for a 45 to 26 win over Tennessee State.

The Blue Raiders come into this week's matchup having won six out of the last games on Blackout Night.

I said a couple months ago that MT would get at least one win against a school from the Power 5 Conference; however I'm turning the table on that.

This game will be close with the matchup being in Murfreesboro; however I think Duke will come through with a late score in regulation and drop the Blue Raiders back to under .500.Duke 31, Middle Tennesssee 28

Duke is coming into Murfreesboro as a near touchdown favorite and I think that line is spot on.

I want to keep seeing this Blue Raider defense answer the call and see if they can improve even more. Duke is no pushover.

They're not as good as years past but they will certainly test MTSU. It's going to be a close game as the MTSU defense keeps them in it, but I do not think O'Hara finds the same kind of success as he did last week. I want the MTSU points, but Duke wins this one 28-24.

Middle Tennessee hosts Duke University this Saturday. It’s a game featuring two 1-1 teams looking for their second win before heading into conference play. The game itself should be competitive.

Asher O’Hara will, once again, need to carry the load for the Blue Raider offense. While O’Hara will be tested by the Duke defense, I do think he will have opportunities to make a difference with his arm and legs.

On defense, the Blue Raiders will need to slow down dual-threat Blue Devil quarterback Queintin Harris and the Blue Devil rushing attack. If Middle Tennessee hopes to pull out the victory on Saturday, they’ll need a turnover or two from Scot Shafer’s defense.

In the end, I see the Blue Devils leaving Murfreesboro with the win, 31-24.