Austin Peay vs Middle Tennessee Prediction 8/30/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The Austin Peay Governors and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders meet Saturday in college football action at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium. Here’s a Austin Peay vs Middle Tennessee Prediction. This article will include a Austin Peay vs Middle Tennessee Pick.

Austin Peay Governors Betting Preview

After making the playoffs in 2023, the Austin Peay Governors responded with four wins last year. Austin Peay enters the second year under coach Jeff Faris.

Quarterback Austin Smith returns after throwing for 2,300 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing nearly 63 percent of his passes. Austin Peay lost a lot of production at the skill positions, and it could take time to fill the void. However, Chandler Kirton is one of the best offensive linemen in the FCS ranks and has started every game over the last two years. I’m not sure who is going to help Smith, but at least Austin Peay has its quarterback.

Austin Peay breaks in a new defensive coordinator in Greg Jones. Austin Peay also lost its top-eight tacklers from last season. Davion Hood is the leader of this group after 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. Ellis Ellis Jr. is a playmaker in the backfield after three interceptions and six pass deflections last season. Still, like the offense, this is a very inexperienced side of the ball and leads to a lot of new faces for Austin Peay. Basically, Faris will have his work cut out for him in his second season for the Austin Peay Governors.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Preview

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders won three games last season and enter the second year under coach Derek Mason. Middle Tennessee has won four or fewer games in four of its last six seasons.

Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato returns and has 7,500 yards and 46 touchdowns for his career. The receiving group took a major hit, but the ground game has a decent 1-2 punch in Jekail Middlebrook and Austin Clemons. Through two seasons, Middlebrook is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and is coming off a season where he had 22 receptions. The rushing attack should have more success with an improved offensive line that includes Auburn transfer EJ Harris.

Defensively, Middle Tennessee was absolutely horrible last season, so the bar isn’t set very high. Defensive end Anthony Bynum returns after 60 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while Brandon Buckner had 35 tackles and three sacks. John Howse IV brings experience to the backfield and is coming off a season where he had 48 tackles and two interceptions. There are pieces to work with on this MTSU defense, and things must improve if the Blue Raiders are going to have more success in the C-USA.

Why the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will win

• Middle Tennessee has won each of its last 10 home games against non-FBS teams.

Why the Austin Peay Governors will win

• Middle Tennessee has lost nine of its last 11 games.
• Middle Tennessee has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Johnny Floyd Stadium.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Player Prop Facts

• John Howse IV led Middle Tennessee for interceptions (2) last season.

Austin Peay vs Middle Tennessee Prediction

Middle Tennessee isn’t the most talented team in the country and will have its fair share of bad losses. However, Austin Peay wasn’t good last year and didn’t do enough this offseason to believe this year will be any different. This is a must win for Middle Tennessee, and it shouldn’t be that competitive. I’ll take Middle Tennessee to win by 20 or so points. There are levels of bad, and Middle Tennessee is a notch or two above in this matchup.