Memphis @ Middle Tennessee preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2012 ) Middle Tennessee 48, Memphis 30

A year ago, Middle Tennessee scored 24 points off four Memphis turnovers to post a 48-30 victory over their state rival. The Blue Raiders look to make it three straight wins in the series when they host the Tigers on Saturday. Middle Tennessee also is looking to rebound from its loss at North Carolina last week and hopes for more support from its fans, who left the stadium half-empty in its first home game of the season.

Paxton Lynch's numbers in his debut as Memphis quarterback hardly were impressive. The redshirt freshman was 14-of-28 for 148 yards in the Tigers' loss to Duke. Lynch, however, was a victim of several dropped passes and expects to move the ball much better in his second start as the Tigers continue to emphasize a vertical passing game.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSS Sports Network. Line: Middle Tennessee State -6.5.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (0-1): The Tigers improved dramatically defensively after their loss to MTSU a year ago, finishing the season ranked No. 1 in Conference USA in total defense. But Memphis clearly has to improve offensively, as it gained just 237 yards and notched only a dozen first downs in the 28-14 setback last week. That, however, could be seen as progress as they racked up only 152 yards in a blowout loss to the Blue Devils a year ago.

ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (1-1): MTSU coach Rick Stockstill laments a series of plays he said cost his team in the 40-20 loss at North Carolina last week. Its slow start, however, was its downfall as MTSU fell behind North Carolina 23-0 and never really threatened to get back in the game. Stockstill has settled on a No. 1 quarterback, handing the reins to senior Logan Kilgore, who was 21-for-35 for 211 yards last week, but the Blue Raiders defense was picked apart as it surrendered 377 passing yards to the Tar Heels.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Middle Tennessee State defeated Western Carolina 45-24 in its season opener.

2. Duke scored 14 points in the final 10 minutes to beat Memphis last week.

3. Middle Tennessee State leads the all-time series 16-8-1.

PREDICTION: Middle Tennessee State 28, Memphis 21