| MATCHUP | Murray State Racers | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +20.5 102 | -20.5 -122 |
| Moneyline | +1000 | -1800 |
| Total | Over 57.5 (-115) | Under 57.5 (-105) |
| Where | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, TN | |
| When | Saturday, September 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Middle Tennessee State Preview
Middle Tennessee State finished last season with a 3-9 overall record, a 2-6 conference record, and placed 10th in Conference USA. They had a 1-5 home record and a 2-4 road record. Offensively, the Blue Raiders scored 22.4 points per game (ranking 107th in the nation). Defensively, Middle Tennessee State allowed 30.9 points per game (ranking 115th in the nation). They averaged 371.6 total yards per game (105.5 rushing, 266.1 passing) and gave up 399.3 total yards per game (143.1 rushing, 256.2 passing).
Nicholas Vattiato led the Blue Raiders with 218/356 completed passes and 2,150 total passing yards, throwing 16 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Jekail Middlebrook led the team in rushing yards with 752, adding a team-high 4 rushing touchdowns, while Myles Butler had a team-high 52 caught passes for 518 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. Defensively, Parker Hughes led the team with 100 total tackles (50 solo), while Brandon Buckner led Middle Tennessee State in sacks with 5.5.
Murray State Preview
The Murray State Racers are coming off a 14-28 home defeat by the Eastern Illinois Panthers, where they were outgained by their opponents 320-368 yards and had 66 total plays. Murray State had 257 passing yards, 63 rushing yards, and 26/40 completed passes. The Racers were 5/15 on third down conversions and lost the turnover battle 2-0.
Collin Shannon led Murray State with 26/40 passes and 257 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Mykel Allen had a team-high 54 rushing yards, while Tyrell Campbell caught 5 passes for a team-high 66 receiving yards. Defensively, Kaleb Ingram led the Racers with 10 total tackles, 3 of them solo, while James Morrow had 1.5 sacks.
Murray State Racers @ Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will win
- Middle Tennessee has won four of its last five home openers.
- Middle Tennessee has covered the spread in three of its last four home games.
- Middle Tennessee has won the first quarter in three of its last four home games.
- Middle Tennessee has won the first half in each of its last seven September games as a favorite.
Why the Murray State Racers will win
- Middle Tennessee has lost eight of its last nine games against teams from Kentucky.
- Middle Tennessee has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six home games against non-conference opponents.
- Middle Tennessee has lost the first half in each of its last nine games in September.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Middle Tennessee’s last eight home games in September have gone OVER the total points line.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Player Prop Facts
- Ashton Logan ranked 4th in the Conference USA amongst qualified players for gross average yards per punt (44.7) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Middle Tennessee ranked 133rd among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage last season (29.6).
- Middle Tennessee ranked 131st among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game last season (10.1).
Murray State vs Middle Tennessee State Prediction
In this Murray State vs Middle Tennessee State Prediction, Middle Tennessee State is coming as -21.5 home favorites. Murray State is coming off a horrible season in the FCS with a 1-7 record, where they allowed 38.6 points per game and had an atrocious -19.6 point differential. Middle Tennessee State is also coming off an underwhelming season and are projected as #130 this season, but they finished with a 3-1 ATS record in their last 4 home games, so I expect them to win this one convincingly and cover the -21.5 spread.