Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Charlotte 49ers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Sept. 22, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI College Football Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

This matchup between Middle Tennessee State and UNC Charlotte features one of the most bizarre circumstances in college football. One team can’t do anything to stop the run, while the other team couldn’t run the ball if their season depended on it.

What usually happens is the team who can’t exploit the opportunity finds itself reverting to the only thing they know, in this case MTSU will pass its way to failure. Charlotte loves to hold on to the football and could keep a drive going for an entire quarter.

Score Prediction: Charlotte 24, Middle Tennessee 10

Best Bet: Under 56

Best Bet: Under 27 1H

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Charlotte 49ers Predictions

This one shouldn’t be close. MTSU can barely move the ball down the field without giving up a sack or tackle for loss. That’s not counting the fact they simply can’t move the ball on the ground, no matter the opponent.

Charlotte is in a great spot because their one glaring weakness of giving up yards on the ground will be negated by MTSU’s refusal to run. Problem with any shootout or faster paced game is the Blue Raider’s OL. They are a major liability and should allow a ton of pressure from the 49ers.

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Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Charlotte 49ers Betting Odds

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The 49ers are a 3-point home favorite coming into the game at 2-1 with their lone loss coming to Georgia State.

The total for this game is 56 with little movement from the opening number at 57. MTSU refuses to play well in September, going 1-8 ATS on the road during this month.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Charlotte 49ers Betting Resources

Matchup: CUSA
Date: Friday, September 24, 2021
Venue: Jerry Richardson Stadium
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
TV-Time: CBSSN - 6:30 p.m. ET

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 1-2
ATS: 1-2
O/U: 1-2
ATS - Home: 1-0
ATS - Away: 0-2

The Blue Raiders might be in for a long day, especially with how long the 49ers can hold on to the football. The only saving grace for MTSU is how efficient their passing game can be if they protect the QB. Charlotte saw their QB Chris Reynolds miss a lot of throws in their loss to Georgia State, something MTSU will try and continue to exploit. MTSU’s defense forced eight turnovers on the young season and might be enough to stop one of these long 49ers drives.

Charlotte 49ers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 2-1
ATS: 2-1
O/U: 0-3
ATS - Home: 2-0
ATS - Away: 0-1

MTSU isn’t that good and have way too many weaknesses to compete with Charlotte. The 49ers saw their run defense exposed last week, and even in their two victories. The perfect answer to that is holding on to the football and battling a team that won’t run, or at least can’t run. I just don’t see how MTSU stays in this game unless they cause 3+ turnovers and take advantage of shorter fields. Any quick drive by MTSU will be met with a long, methodical – most likely scoring – drive by Charlotte.

The Charlotte 49ers have gone UNDER the point total in five of their last seven home games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Record: 1-2
VI Ranking: 102
Points Scored: 77
Points Allowed: 77
PS/G: 25.7 (91st)
PA/G: 25.7 (80th)

Inside the Stats - Charlotte 49ers

Record: 2-1
VI Ranking: 109
Points Scored: 78
Points Allowed: 58
PS/G: 26 (86th)
PA/G: 19.3 (46th)

Key Players to Watch

MTST: Jimmy Marshall - WR (12 catches, 177 yards, TD)
MTST: Jaylin Lane - WR (8 catches, 121 yards, TD)
UNCC: Chris Reynolds - QB (42/75, 585 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT)
UNCC: Grant Dubose - WR (11 catches, 209 yards, 2 TD)

Injuries

UNCC: Davondre Robinson - DB (Biceps-Questionable)
UNCC: Geovante' Howard - DB (Ankle-Questionable)
MTST: Bailey Hockman - QB (Left Team-Out)

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Charlotte 49ers Betting Conclusion

I love the under here for a couple of reasons, but one trend stuck out as a great representation of MTSU’s struggles. Seven of their last eight September road games against non-ranked opponents have gone UNDER. This total isn’t super high either but doesn’t reflect how long MTSU could be without the football.

Even when they moved the ball, the Red Raiders struggled to capitalize with points. The 49ers should have their way at home against MTSU, while comfortably coming under the point total.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Charlotte 49ers Betting Trends

Charlotte has won six of its last eight home games.
Charlotte has covered the spread in 14 of its last 21 home games.
Middle Tennessee State has won four of its last five games when playing in Charlotte.