Week 3 Pick 'Em

So, remember the Vandy game? I talked about how Middle’s undersized offensive line was no match for Vandy's SEC caliber defense.

Well, this is going to be worse. So much worse.

Georgia is better in every way. But, we all know what this is. Schools got to make money and games like this get the Blue Raiders paid. Biggest goal for this game is getting your players to the end of it healthy.

I could say how this could be an interesting test for Brent Stockstill. I’m not sure he’s seen a defense this good since MT went to Tuscaloosa, and watching his reads and reactions could be a nice gauge on where he truly is as a quarterback. But, to be honest, I’m just scared for him. Georgia is ferocious on defense. Their offense may actually not be up par this season, but the defenders more than make up for it. And they’re going to be breathing down Stockstill's neck all afternoon. I’m not sure how Middle is going to protect him, so everyone should be a little concerned with me.

This is a playoff favorite and a possible national championship contender. Georgia is going to cover the spread, maybe just, but cover none the less.

This is going to be ugly. There's really no other way to put it. Middle Tennessee heads to Athens this weekend. The best part of the trip is that it got moved up to earlier in the day. Might as well get it over with as soon as possible.

This game will be ugly because Georgia is a playoff contender and Middle Tennessee will be lucky to win eight games and compete for a C-USA crown.

I expect Brent Stockstill to spend most of the game running for his life while taking hits from future NFL defensive lineman. In my mind, the game will be a success if he makes it out in one piece.

Defensively, I expect the Bulldogs to run over the Blue Raider defense with ease. Georgia will score at will and the Blue Raiders lose the game 52-7.

Why not us? That's the message Rick Stockstill and his staff have to be preaching to their team right now. If Appy State can win at the Big House, and come within an eyelash of taking down Penn State, then why can't the Blue Raiders roll in to Athens and take down the mighty Georgia Bulldogs?

Well, I'll tell you why:

The Blue Raiders will be outmatched in just about every aspect of the game this Saturday, and whereas Stockstill says it'll take a perfect game for them to have a chance to win, I think MT's perfect game only keeps the final score differential respectable.

It is what it is, and MT won't be perfect. We all know that.

Seriously though, it's going to get rough out there, and it won't take long, either. The silver lining is that MT knows exactly where their weaknesses are against Georgia, and I think they'll put together a game plan offensively that allows them to move the ball around a bit before Georgia ultimately figures things out and puts a stop to it.

MT will put up some points, but the size difference in the trenches is going to be very evident. In a perfect world, MT comes out of this relatively healthy and ready to roll in to their C-USA showdown with FAU.

The Blue Raiders have a mountain of a task ahead of them Saturday. They travel to Athens, Georgia to face the Georgia Bulldogs. The Dawgs just obliterated a pretty good South Carolina team in the confines of their home stadium in front of 70 thousand Gamecocks fans.

I don’t want to overreact but things could get ugly and get ugly quick. If MT does not shore up their line and protect Brent Stockstill it may become a question of whether he finishes the entire game. MT needs to keep Stockstill upright. On paper this is a complete mismatch in favor of the Bulldogs. They have been recruiting lately at a historic clip and have former blue-chip recruits littered all over the field. Their QB Jake Fromm is a gamer. But let’s just say he goes out due to injury. They then insert the former number one high school QB Justin Fields.

To even stay within striking distance, the Blue Raiders need some major breaks. The defense needs to generate turnovers the defense really, really needs to step up and elevate their play. They were exposed at times against UT-Martin. On the flip side, Stockstill can’t turn the ball over. I’m talking zero turnovers. Nada. Zilch.

In then end, I do not think they will be able to accomplish these things. I’m expecting a rout.

This one will be a bloodbath. I even fear a little for Brent Stockstill’s health in this game. As much as Rick Stockstill says he's happy with his offensive line right now, I think Georgia will have its way with them.

Georgia just has too much firepower on offense and defense. The Bulldogs backups could even win this game by double digits. I don’t want to say MTSU has zero chance of winning, because in sports you never want to say never, but it ain’t happening.

I expect Georgia to score early, quickly and at will. If MTSU can make it out of this game with no injuries, I’ll consider it a win.