Week 6 college football action kicks off Tuesday night on ESPN 2 when the Florida Atlantic Owls take on the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Both team's enter this Sun Belt Conference matchup at 1-3, but odds makers at Sportsbook.com have given the edge to the home Blue Raiders by installing them as 3-point favorites. See who has the inside track in expert football handicapper Dave Price’s FAU vs Middle Tennessee State College Football Betting Odds Preview.
The Owls will begin defense of their Sun Belt conference title Tuesday night following back-to-back non-conference road losses to Big Ten foes Michigan State and Minnesota. While FAU has been known for its ability to run up the score in conference play, it was held to just three points total in those two games. QB Rusty Smith's confidence has to be running on fumes at this point as he lost five turnovers during those two games.
While one would think the FAU would perform better this week against a team that is more at its talent level, the books feel the home Blue Raiders are the team to beat in this game.
If FAU wants to get back on track, it is going to have to get the passing game going. The protection has been there for QB Rusty Smith as the offensive line has allowed only one sack through three games, but the QB has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns and his receiving unit has dropped some key passes that were on target.
This might be a FAU team that is better defensively than offensively in a conference where the defense's are usally the weaker sides of the football. The pass defense has been good, but the run defense has not been there, allowing 213.2 yards per game on the ground.
We're about to find out if FAU's tough non-conference schedule was worth it. We'll see this Tuesday if tough road games at Texas, Michigan State, and Minnesota prepared the Owls for conference play or just shot their confidence. Whether FAU wins could depend largely on how well QB Rusty Smith bounces back from sub-par performances. The reigning Sun Belt Conference player of the year has not looked like it in the early going. If you think the Owls will get back on track this week, bet the Florida Atlantic Owls +3 at Sportsbook.com. Floyd Stadium will be rocking and rolling with the defending league champs coming to town as the Blue Raiders try to knock the Owls down to size early in league play.
The Owls have done a poor job at protecting the football through their first three games and that has historically been what has hurt them against Middle Tennessee State. In the five games that these teams have gone up against each other, FAU has turned the ball over a ridiculous 14 times.
Middle Tennessee State's defense held FAU to just 2-of-12 on third down conversions in last year's meeting and it is going to take another big effort in third down situations to have a shot at winning this one.
Offensively, Middle Tennessee quarterback Joe Craddock will be looking to freshman receiver Malcolm Beyah early and often. He ranks second nationally among freshmen in receiving yards per game. But FAU's trouble at stopping the run will entice the Blue Raiders to run the ball more frequently this week. If they can indeed establish the run, then watch out for this QB/receiving duo to hook up for some big plays in play action.
Middle Tennessee State lost their first game of the season at FAU a season ago and will be looking for revenge in this nationally televised contest on ESPN. If you think the Blue Raiders will have their revenge, bet on Middle Tennessee State at Sportsbook.com.
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