The Vanderbilt Commodores (1-3) and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-2) meet this weekend in Murfreesboro. Check out the Vanderbilt vs. Middle Tennessee prediction and game preview.

Vanderbilt vs. Middle Tennessee Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 3

Game Time: 7:00 ET


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Why You Need To Care

Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee meet in Murfreesboro to see who’s the state’s third best team behind Tennessee and Memphis. The Blue Raiders, whose losses came at Alabama and Illinois, have this week’s game before focusing on the goal of winning the Conference USA East Division. The Commodores, like the Raiders, earned a moral victory in Week 4, nearly upending third-ranked Ole Miss in Oxford. Vandy competes hard, but only defeated FCS Austin Peay in September.

Why Vanderbilt Will Win

The Blue Raiders scored just 10 points in its other game with a tough SEC D, Alabama. They may not fare much better against the Dores, which just held Ole Miss well below its season scoring average. Vandy allows less than 20 points per game and five yards a play, led by a stout front seven that consistently wins plays at the line of scrimmage.

Why Middle Tennessee Will Win

Derek Mason’s D is tough in Nashville, but can Vanderbilt score enough to defeat the Blue Raiders? While the Commodore offense is feeble, averaging 14 points against FBS opponents, Middle Tennessee has already twice scored 70 points in games. And young QB Brent Stockstill is coming into his own, throwing for at least 330 yards in all but the Bama loss.

Player Who Matters

Stockstill’s weapons are sneaky-good, including RB Jordan Parker and receivers Ed Batties and Richie James. Batties and James combined for 25 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns last week in Champaign. However, now they’ll face corners Tre Herndon and Torren McGaster, who helped keep Rebel QB Chad Kelly in check in Week 4.

What’s Going To Happen?

Stockstill is a special young player. And he’ll continue proving it this weekend in an important big-picture game for the Blue Raiders. Stockstill and Parker will outplay Commodores Johnny McCrary and Ralph Webb in a nip-and-tuck affair that’ll need all 60 minutes—and a few timely field goals—to determine a winner.

Vanderbilt vs. Middle Tennessee Prediction

Final Score: Middle Tennessee 24, Vanderbilt 21, Line: Middle Tennessee -2, o/u: 50

Must See Rating: 5: Steve Jobs  –  1: Dr. Ken … 2.5

MORE: College Football Bowl Projections After Week 4