The Picks Are In: FIU
Middle Tennessee State was beaten, battered and bruised last Saturday on the road against WKU.
Middle will now try to wipe that shellacking out of the memory banks, as they turn their attention to this Saturday as they welcome the Golden Panthers of Florida International.
It is time for Matt Dossett and Rickey Fuquay Jr. to predict the outcome for the game!
Matt Dossett (7-2 on the season)
It was beatdown city in Bowling Green last Saturday, as WKU trounced the Blue Raiders by a score of 48-21. Simply put, I have egg on my face after I called for Middle to easily cover and be within a score of the Hilltoppers.
There are question marks abound and looming as MT takes on the lowly Panthers of FIU. FIU is 1-8 overall and 0-5 in conference play.
One of those question marks is located at the quarterback position. I whiffed on my QB prediction last week, as I confidently said that Mike DiLiello would play, and play well at that. That was not the case as Freshman Nick Vattiato got the green light as the guy at the quarterback position.
Regardless of who gets the go Saturday, a sharp 180 needs to happen when it comes to the QB play. I'm spitballing, but I think DiLiello will get the go and will be called on to be a game manager.
ESPN gives the Blue Raiders an 89.1 percent chance to earn a victory this Saturday. Honestly, that sounds about right. FIU brings together a balanced offensive attack, considering they have thrown the ball 300 times and rushed the ball 278 times. D'Vonte Price is their bell cow at the running back position. He has 129 carries for 682 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Max Bortenschlager is the quarterback who has 17 touchdowns against seven interceptions.
MT is a 10 point favorite and I expect Middle to cover, by three.
MT 30
FIU 17
Rickey Fuquay Jr. (8-1 on the season)
It was a rough outing at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium as Middle Tennessee turned it over seven times en route to a 48-21 setback against rival Western Kentucky in "The 100 Miles of Hate" game.
The Blue Raiders return to Murfreesboro two wins from being bowl eligible for the first time since 2018.Standing in their way is Florida International in the Annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces Game.
The Panthers come into this game as the worst defense in Conference USA in every category except rushing yards per game.Line is 10 in favor of MTSU. I trusted the defense against Southern Mississippi two weeks ago. I'm gonna use that same energy this week. I'm feeling a bounce back from offense, with Mike DiLiello getting to hold the reins at the QB spot, while the defense will play out of their mind and move the Blue Raiders one step closer to bowl eligibility.
MTSU: 31
FIU: 10