Murray State Racers (1-1) vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0-2)
Murray State Racers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 9/16/23 – Two teams with divergent momentum are set to face off in Week 3 of the NCAA Football season. The Murray State Racers, sitting at 1-1, are looking to recover from a less than impressive start. On the other hand, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, who are 0-2, are desperate to mark their first win of the season. Both teams aim to make the most out of this Saturday clash scheduled for 7:00 PM ET at Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium, airing on ESP+.
The Racers’ season has been nothing short of challenging. The key running back, Kywon Morgan, has managed only 59 rushing yards from 19 attempts, reflecting a paltry 3.1 yards per carry. Another notable player is wide receiver Taylor Shields, who has just two receptions, but they’ve been impactful ones, leading to two touchdowns. Shields’ remarkable 34.5 yards per reception suggests that he could be a game-changer if given more opportunities.
Middle Tennessee has its own set of woes. Running back Frank Peasant has recorded only 45 rushing yards in 16 attempts, a troubling 2.8 yards per carry. Wide receiver Elijah Metcalf has been slightly more promising with 8 receptions for 82 yards, but without a touchdown thus far. These are indicators of an offense that has struggled to fully capitalize on its potential and needs significant improvements in both running and receiving departments. If you’re looking for the free winning NCAAF picks, consider their matchups carefully.
Murray State Racers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
DJ Williams QB vs. Nicholas Vattiato QB
DJ Williams, the quarterback for the Racers, has had a mediocre start to the season. His completion rate stands at a mere 46.9%, translating to 172 passing yards from 15 completions in 32 attempts. With only one touchdown and zero interceptions, Williams has shown a conservative approach, indicated by his passer rating of 102.3. He has been sacked once, losing 5 yards. These statistics expose Williams as a quarterback struggling with accuracy and big-play capability, which could be a major hindrance against a motivated Middle Tennessee defense.
Nicholas Vattiato, the Blue Raiders’ quarterback, presents a contrasting picture. With a completion rate of 63.2%, Vattiato has managed 341 passing yards from 43 completions in 68 attempts. His passer rating of 117, although not outstanding, is a step ahead of his counterpart. The downside is his vulnerability to sacks, having been taken down 7 times, resulting in a loss of 46 yards. This raises questions about his pocket awareness and could prove critical in a match that may be decided by defensive plays.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders ML, Total Odds: –
The betting odds are not available at this moment. However, based on the teams’ current performance metrics and trends, it’s safe to say that this game might not be a high-scoring affair. Both teams have struggled offensively, which could make the UNDER a viable option for total points.
Murray State Racers Betting Trends
Murray State’s betting trends do not bode well for them. They are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games. Furthermore, they have been utterly disappointing in straight-up situations, losing 10 of their last 10 games. Their road record is even more dismal, with 20 straight losses. Moreover, they have not won a single game played in September for the past 20 outings, and are 1-4 ATS in their last five games played in week 3.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Trends
Middle Tennessee has seen the total go OVER in four of their last five games, perhaps due to their defense allowing points. They hold a slightly better record, going 4-2 straight up in their last six games and 7-3 in their last ten home games. However, they have struggled in September, going 4-12 straight up. Additionally, they are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games played in week 3, a trend they’ll hope to reverse this weekend.
Murray State Racers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 9/16/23 Betting Picks
Considering the recent performance and trends, Middle Tennessee seems to be the better pick, mainly due to their home-field advantage and a slightly more competent quarterback. Both teams have struggling offenses, but the Blue Raiders have the defensive capability to capitalize on the Racers’ weaknesses. For more insights and potential betting opportunities, you can also explore some free latest sports picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: Middle Tennessee to win, 24-14..