Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (5-5) vs Old Dominion Monarchs (4-6)
Game Info: Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 3:30 pm (Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium)
Betting Odds: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders -4 -- Over/Under: 51.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Old Dominion Monarchs will travel to Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The Old Dominion Monarchs won their 3rd straight game and improved to 4-6 on the season after defeating the Florida Atlantic Owls, 30-16, this past Saturday. Old Dominion was outstanding offensively against the Florida Atlantic offense and was able to put the game out of reach after a 14-yard TD reception by an Isiah Paige made a two-possession game with 4:49 left in regulation. Old Dominion outgained Florida Atlantic by a 454-308 margin and forced 2 turnovers in the victory.
On the season, Old Dominion is averaging 26.2 ppg on 385.0 total yards per game (204.7 passing yds/g; 180.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Old Dominion has been led by the RB duo of Blake Watson (165 att, 872 yards, 5 TD) & Elijah Davis (91 att, 501 yards, 4 TD). QB Hayden Wolff has completed 61.7% of his passes for 1188 yards, 5 TD, & 4 INT. The top receiving threats for the Monarchs have been Ali Jennings III (42 rec, 591 yards, 2 TD), Zack Kuntz (58 rec, 588 yards, 4 TD), & Isiah Paige (21 rec, 151 yards, 1 TD).
Defensively, Old Dominion is allowing their opponents to average 28.0 ppg on 357.9 total yards per game (238.2 passing yds/g; 119.7 rushing yds/g).
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders improved to 5-5 on the season after defeating the FIU Panthers, 50-10, this past Saturday. Middle Tennessee dominated FIU on both ends of the field throughout the game and had no trouble securing the victory after going into halftime with a 34-3 lead. Middle Tennessee outgained FIU by a 414-155 margin and won the turnover battle by a 4-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Blue Raiders was QB Nick Vattiato who completed 20 of 24 passes for 147 yards & 2 TD.
On the season, Middle Tennessee is averaging 31.3 ppg on 349.6 total yards per game (227.5 passing yds/g; 122.1 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Middle Tennessee is being led by QB Nicholas Vattiato who has started the last two games for the Blue Raiders and has completed 68.7% of his passes for 368 yards, 4 TD, & 5 INT. The top receiving threats for the Blue Raiders have been Jimmy Marshall (40 rec, 477 yards, 6 TD), Jarrin Pierce (36 rec, 386 yards, 5 TD), Yusuf Ali (25 rec, 299 yards, 3 TD), & Jaylin Lane (23 rec, 276 yards, 3 TD). Leading the way for the Blue Raiders backfield has been the trio of Chaton Mobley (50 att, 231 yards, 2 TD), Martell Pettaway (56 att, 227 yards, 3 TD), & Frank Peasant (53 att, 211 yards, 2 TD). Chaton Mobley has missed his last two games due to an undisclosed injury and is currently questionable for this matchup.
Defensively, Middle Tennessee is allowing their opponents to average 26.9 ppg on 365.5 total yards per game (229.4 passing yds/g; 136.1 rushing yds/g).
The Monarchs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Blue Raiders are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games, however, are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Middle Tennessee has won 3 of their last 4 games, but I’m not reading too much into those victories as they have come against UConn, Southern Miss, & FIU which come into this week with a combined record of just 3-27. Old Dominion has been playing some solid football as of late, as the defense is allowing just 20 ppg over their last three games while the Monarchs offense has looked much more dangerous with Hayden Wolff under center. Middle Tennessee has been solid ATS at home, however, I think Old Dominion is better on both ends of the field and as the Monarchs showed they could play on the road with a near upset at Marshall, I think the play here is to take Old Dominion and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Old Dominion Monarchs +4
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05