Charlotte 49ers (2-1) vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-2)
Game Info: Friday, September 24, 2021 at 6:30 pm (Jerry Richardson Stadium)
Betting Odds: Charlotte 49ers -3 -- Over/Under: 56 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will travel to Jerry Richardson Stadium to take on the Charlotte 49ers this Friday night in College Football action.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 0-2 on the season after being defeated by the UTAS Roadrunners, 27-13, this past Saturday. Middle Tennessee struggled early to get anything going on the offensive end against the Roadrunners and could not fight back after UTSA took a 24-0 lead early in the 4th quarter on a 3-yard fumble return for a TD by UTSA’s Lorenzo Dantzler. Middle Tennessee was outgained by UTSA by a 452-199 margin and won the turnover battle by a 3-2 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Blue Raiders was QB Chase Cunningham who completed 9 of 18 passes for 150 yards & 2 TD’s.
On the season, Middle Tennessee is averaging 25.7 ppg on 297.3 total yards per game (240.7 passing yds/g; 56.7 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Middle Tennessee has been led by QB Bailey Hockman (62.1 Comp %, 463 yards, 4 TD’s, 2 INT), however, after an ineffective 1st half against UTSA, was replaced by Chase Cunningham (63.3 Comp %, 259 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT). Middle Tennessee likes both QB’s and will likely continue to ride whoever has the hot hand. The top receiving threats for the Blue Raiders have been Jimmy Marshall (12 rec, 177 yards, TD), Jaylin Lane (8 rec, 121 yards, TD), Jarrin Pierce (9 rec, 93 yards, TD), & CJ Windham (8 rec, 61 yards, 2 TD). Leading the way for the Middle Tennessee backfield has been the trio of Amir Rasul (29 att, 80 yards), Chaton Mobley (15 att, 44 yards, TD), & Martell Pettaway (12 att, 38 yards, TD).
Defensively, Middle Tennessee is allowing their opponents to average 25.7 ppg on 369.7 total yards per game (207.3 passing yds/g; 162.3 rushing yds/g).
The Charlotte 49ers dropped to 2-1 on the season after being defeated by the Georgia State Panthers, 20-9, this past Saturday. Charlotte struggled offensively on the road against Georgia State and could not fight back after a 28-yard TD reception by the Panthers Ja’Cyais Credle gave Georgia State a 13-9 lead. Charlotte won the turnover battle by a 2-1 margin, however, was outgained by Georgia State by a 423-276 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the 49ers was QB Chris Reynolds who completed 13 of 28 passes for 158 yards & 1 TD.
On the season, Charlotte is averaging 26.0 ppg on 409.3 total yards per game (216.7 passing yds/g; 192.7 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Charlotte has been led by QB Chris Reynolds who has completed 56.0% of his passes for 585 yards, 5 TD, & 2 INT. Reynolds is also a threat with his legs as he has 126 rushing yards & 1 TD. The top receiving threats for Reynolds and the 49ers have been Grant DuBose (11 rec, 209 yards, 2 TD), Victor Tucker (13 rec, 177 yards), & Taylor Thompson (7 rec, 76 yards, 1 TD). Leading the way for the 49ers backfield has been the trio of Calvin Camp (30 att, 160 yards, 1 TD), Shadrick Byrd (35 att, 126 yards, 1 TD), & ChaVon McEachern (25 att, 100 yards, TD).
Defensively, Charlotte is holding their opponents to an average of 19.3 ppg on 412.3 total yards per game (139.0 passing yds/g; 273.3 rushing yds/g).
The Blue Raiders are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 conference games. The 49ers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in September, however, are just 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
The public is on Charlotte heavy early this week as a slight favorite at home, however, I’m leaning towards Middle Tennessee who is I think is a better team that just had two very hard matchups against solid defenses in Virginia Tech & UTSA. Charlotte was able to beat Duke to start the season but didn’t look great against a Georgia State team that struggled to start the season and as I think the Middle Tennessee passing attack will be able to find some success against the Charlotte defense, I’m taking the Blue Raiders and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders +3
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
