Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee Prediction, Picks, Odds, and Best Bet: Blue Raiders Have Edge

Two Conference USA teams in desperate need of a win square off Tuesday when the Kennesaw State Owls visit the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

The Blue Raiders have just one win, but our Kennesaw State vs. Middle Tennessee predictions expect that to change tonight. Read my college football picks to find out why the Owls will continue to struggle in this level-up season.

Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee prediction and best bet

My best bet
Middle Tennessee -9.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.

My analysis
Credit the Kennesaw State Owls for making the jump to the FBS, but they look overmatched through five games. They got hammered 63-24 by Jacksonville State last time out, their first loss in Conference USA play, but the fifth straight time they've lost by double digits.

This is the worst offense in the nation, producing just 3.7 yards per play, ranking 134th out of 134 teams. The Owls are also last in the conference in scoring at just 14.6 points per game. Their yards per rush (2.5) and passing yards per game (130.6) are both Bottom-5 marks, leading to an output of just 226.8 yards per contest, which sits 133rd.

How grim is the outlook for Kennesaw State? They’re 9.5-point underdogs to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, a school that ranks dead last in passing defense in the nation (320.7 yards), while ranking Bottom 5 in scoring defense, allowing 40.5 points per game.

The Blue Raiders opened the season with a 32-25 win over FCS Tennessee Tech, but since then, against FBS opponents, they’ve dropped five straight, losing by an average of 29.8 points, with the lowest margin of defeat at 17 points.

The difference here is Middle Tennessee’s offense, which is by far the most accomplished of any group these teams will throw out on the field.

The passing attack is second in Conference USA and Top 40 in the country, producing 267 yards per contest. While that hasn’t been able to translate into a ton of points — they average only 16.8 points per game — Kennesaw State offers a soft landing in the schedule.

The Owls surrender 36 points per game, which ranks third-worst in the conference and 121st in college football. Junior quarterback Nicholas Vattiato is by far the best pivot on the field, completing 64.9% of his passes for 1,561 yards and seven touchdowns against five interceptions.

This won’t be pretty, but Middle Tennessee should roll.

Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee same-game parlay (SGP)

Middle Tennessee -9.5

Over 50.5

Jaiden Credle anytime touchdown

+475 at BetMGM

The Over has cashed in four of six Middle Tennessee games this year, and that trend should continue tonight. The opposition has been the driving force for those running up those totals, and Kennesaw State should be able to find some offensive success against this bad MTU defense as well.

The Blue Raiders offense hasn’t scored more than 21 points in a game since Week 1, but the Owls have given up 30+ in three of its last four games. It all adds up to enough points to cover the total.

Kennesaw State’s run defense has been getting run over, allowing 186.2 yards per game, and it's allowed 10 rushing touchdowns over the last two games and 15 on the season.

That bodes well for Blue Raiders’ back Jaiden Credle, who's found pay dirt in two of MTU’s last three games. The Owls have allowed at least one rushing score in all but one game this season.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee odds

Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee live odds

Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee opening odds

• Kennesaw State vs. MTSU spread: Middle Tennessee -10.5
• Kennesaw State vs. MTSU moneyline: Kennesaw State +350, Middle Tennessee -450
• Kennesaw State vs. MTSU Over/Under: 50.5

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee spread and Over/Under analysis

• Kennesaw State is 1-4 against the spread this season. The Blue Raiders are 1-5 ATS.
  
  
• The 50.5-point total is the highest total given to an Owls game this season.
  
  
• Middle Tennessee is 4-2 O/U this season.

Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee betting trend to know

The Blue Raiders are 1-0 ATS as betting favorites this season. Find more college football betting trends for Kennesaw State vs. Middle Tennessee.

Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee game info

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Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee weather

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