The Florida Atlantic Owls (-5.5) are flying north to face the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium. This CUSA showdown is scheduled to get underway at 7:00 p.m. ET and STAD,FCBK has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
In this Saturday Conference USA matchup, Florida Atlantic is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 5.5 points. The Owls are also receiving -235 moneyline odds while the Blue Raiders are +185. If one side can create a bunch of points early, it would likely result in a decent live betting scenario.
The opening line was initially set at 3 but the sharp action has been siding with the Owls.
The Owls have lost 1.0 unit so far and are 0-4 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U mark of 3-0.
The Blue Raiders have gained 0.0 units this season. The team is 1-2 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-2.
The Owls have gone 2-2 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any CUSA competition yet. The Blue Raiders are 1-2 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
When these two squads met last year, Florida Atlantic emerged victorious by a final score of 38-20.
The Owls look to get back in stride after a 56-36 defeat to UCF last week. The passing game wasn’t where it needed to be as Chris Robison completed only 13 passes on 26 attempts for 124 yards, one score and three interceptions. Devin Singletary (131 yards on 25 rush attempts, three TDs) and the signal-caller Robison (34 yards on 10 carries) spearheaded the ground attack. Willie Wright (six receptions, 58 yards) and Jovon Durante (four catches, 35 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Middle Tennessee just suffered a brutal 49-7 defeat to Georgia. Brent Stockstill completed 19-of-29 passes for 138 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Terelle West (74 yards on 17 rush attempts) spearheaded the running game while Patrick Smith (nine receptions, 77 yards, one TD) and Brad Anderson (six catches, 45 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Florida Atlantic has run the ball on 58.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Middle Tennessee has a rush percentage of 51.9 percent. The Owls have produced 220.5 rush yards per game and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Blue Raiders are averaging 120.7 rush yards per game and have two total rushing TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it’s looking like the Owls ought to have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has given up only 16 sacks while the D-line registered 38 sacks. The Blue Raiders, on the other hand, have allowed 20 sacks and their defense has logged only 31 sacks.
The Owls offensive scheme has tallied 243.3 yards/contest through the air overall and has five passing TDs so far. The Blue Raiders have produced 234.7 pass yards per contest and have seven total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Florida Atlantic has allowed 220.8 rush yards and 254.3 pass yards per game. The Middle Tennessee D has allowed 250.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 179.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Blue Raiders are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 7.92 to opposing QBs, while the Owls have given up a whopping 10.42 ANY/A.
Offensively, Robison has amassed 752 passing yards this year, and has completed 66 percent of his 92 attempts with four scores through the air and three interceptions. Robison’s got a 7.17 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 2.00 over the last two outings.
We’re expecting the Owls to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. The tandem of Devin Singletary (257 rush yards, five rush TDs) and Kerrith Whyte, Jr. (100 rush yards, two rush TDs, one receiving TD) have been big focal points in the offensive gameplans for Florida Atlantic.
Brent Stockstill has connected on 43-of-65 passes for 316 yards, two TDs and two INTs for Middle Tennessee. His ANY/A sits at a minuscule 3.32 for the year and 9.20 over his last two games.
The Blue Raiders also prefer to rely on their backfield. In addition to Brad Anderson (82 receiving yards), Patrick Smith (zero rush yards, 74 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and CJ Windham (zero rush yards, 25 receiving yards, one TD) have seen a lot of action lately.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Free Pick
SU Winner: Florida Atlantic, ATS Winner: Florida Atlantic
Betting Notes
- Florida Atlantic was favored by 14 points in its previous game and the O/U was set at 74. The over cashed and Florida Atlantic failed to cover in the 56-36 loss to UCF.
- Florida Atlantic has rushed for 6.3 yards per carry over its past two contests.
- Middle Tennessee has averaged 3.5 yards per carry over its last two.
- Middle Tennessee has lost three fumbles this season while Florida Atlantic has let one get away.
- Middle Tennessee was favored by 34 points in its last match and the O/U going into it was 59.5. The under cashed and Middle Tennessee failed to cover in the 49-7 loss to Georgia.
- Over its last three contests, Middle Tennessee is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Each offense has produced five pass plays of 30+ yards.
- The Florida Atlantic defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Middle Tennessee has given up three such plays.
- The Florida Atlantic offense has created seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Middle Tennessee has created four such runs.
- The Owls defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Blue Raiders have given up seven such runs.
- The Middle Tennessee defense has created eight sacks on the year while Florida Atlantic has five.
