MTSU Blue Raiders vs Army Black Knights Prediction, 9/5/2020 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: MTSU Blue Raiders vs Army Black Knights

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020

Location: Michie Stadium

TV: CBS Sports

Odds/Point Spread: MTSU (+5)

Total/Over-Under: 55.5

Christian Anderson and the Army Black Knights play the MTSU Blue Raiders at Michie Stadium on Thursday, September 3, 2020. MTSU opens this matchup as 5-point dogs. The O/U is set at 55.5.

In their last contest of 2019, the MTSU Blue Raiders faced the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and ended up taking the loss by a score of 31-26. Asher O'Hara led the team on the ground for that game. He had a long run of 22 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He racked up a total of 144 yards via 29 carries which meant he was running for 5.0 yards per run. Chaton Mobley was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 82 yards on 2 receptions. He notched an average of 41.0 yards per reception for that game. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Blue Raiders was Asher O'Hara who went 18/33 with 301 yards via the pass and tossed 3 TD's. He gave away 1 pick on the day.

The Blue Raiders head into this matchup after finishing 4-8 last year. They are a team that has the capability to score points in the conference and I wouldn't expect it to change too much in this matchup. For total yardage, they sat at 10th in the conference and 80th in the nation with 4,907 yards. In terms of scoring, they were one of the marginal teams in the country averaging 26.3 points per contest, ranking them 85th in the nation. As a unit, they had an average of 172.5 rushing yards per contest which was 3rd in the conference.

The Blue Raiders had one of the middle tier defenses in the country allowing 29.9 points per contest, ranking them 10th in C-USA and 80th in D-1. In discussing yards on the ground, MTSU allowed 194 yards per contest which had them at 11th in Conference USA and 100th in Division 1. Opposing teams ran for an average of 4.9 yards per rush putting them 11th in C-USA and 105th in D-1 overall. Overall, they conceded 2,328 yards rushing through 12 games. When it comes to yards through the air, the Blue Raiders conceded 2,837 yards. Teams completed 65.5% of the passes they threw against them and averaged 7.7 yards per try. 

In their last game last season, the Army Black Knights played the Navy Midshipmen and ended up taking the loss by a score of 31-7. Running the show from under center for the Black Knights was Christian Anderson who went 2/4 with 18 yards by way of the pass but didn't get a passing TD in this game. He ended the game without an interception. Anderson paced the team in rushing in this outing. He tore off a long run of 21 yards and he tallied 1 touchdown for this outing. He scurried for 56 yards on 21 carries which had him averaging 2.7 yards per run. Camden Harrison was the receiving yardage leader by racking up 18 yards on 2 catches. He averaged 9.0 yards per catch in this outing.

The Black Knights step onto the field after finishing with a record of 5-8. Army made teams fear their ground game last season by averaging 297.2 yards per contest, ranking them 3rd in the nation. As a unit, they had a total of 3,864 rushing yards through 13 contests, so they'll look to continue their dominance on the ground to grind out wins. The Black Knights averaged 379.2 yards per contest overall putting them 89th in Division 1 and 3rd among Independent teams. In discussing their scoring prowess, the Black Knights were ranked 3rd among Independent teams and 66th out of all the teams in the nation with an average of 28.5 points per game.

The Black Knights allowed 23 points per contest ranking them 2nd among Independent teams and 42nd in the nation. When it comes to points given up, they gave up 299 points in total. In regard to yards on the ground, they gave up 163.4 yards per game which put them at 73rd in the country and 2nd among Independent teams. For last season, they conceded 2,124 yards on the ground. Their passing defense was one of the most dominate units in the country. They allowed 178.9 passing yards per game. For passing yards allowed per game, the Black Knights sat at 2nd among D-1 Independent teams. 

Who will win tonight's Blue Raiders/Black Knights college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Black Knights -5

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