Week 4 of the 2025 college football season sees the Marshall Thundering Herd travel to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to play against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The game is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN+. This matchup unfolds at the Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, an outdoor venue that serves as the Blue Raiders’ home field.
Both teams enter the game with identical 1-2 records this season. Marshall’s recent performance includes a decisive 38-7 win over Eastern Kentucky, following a narrow 21-20 loss to Missouri State. Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee is coming off a close 14-13 victory against Nevada, aiming to improve their home record after losing to Austin Peay in their season opener.
As per the consensus odds, Marshall is slightly favored with a moneyline of -137 and a spread of -2.5. The Blue Raiders have a moneyline of +114, with the spread set at +2.5. The total points line is at 46.5, indicating expectations of a competitive contest between the two teams.
Middle Tennessee vs Marshall At a Glance
- Game Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM
- Location: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, TN
- Broadcast: Available on ESPN+
- Odds: Marshall -137, Middle Tennessee +114
- Spread: Marshall -2.5, Middle Tennessee +2.5
- Weather: Outdoor game, check local forecasts for updates
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Prepare for the Upcoming Game
Offensive Overview
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders have shown a mixed bag in offensive performance during the 2025 season. Their points for stand at 38, placing them 79th in the rankings. The team has managed 564 passing yards, ranking them 89th, while their rushing yards are significantly lower at 182, placing them at 132nd.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Blue Raiders have allowed 89 points against, which ranks them 72nd. However, they have been quite effective in creating turnovers with 3 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery, placing them 4th and 5th respectively in these categories. Their defensive line has also been productive with 6 sacks, ranking them 9th.
Recent Game Performances
Middle Tennessee’s recent victory came against Nevada Wolf Pack with a narrow 14-13 win. In this game, the Blue Raiders gained 23 first downs and 247 passing yards. Despite a stronger passing game, they only managed 105 rushing yards and recorded one interception.
In their previous games, they faced a tough loss against Wisconsin Badgers, ending 42-10. This game highlighted their struggle in the ground game, achieving only 33 rushing yards. Their season opener also saw a loss to Austin Peay Governors, 34-14, with the team gaining just 44 rushing yards.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato has been a key player for the Blue Raiders, with 548 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in three games. On the receiving end, Nahzae Cox stands out with 170 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Jekail Middlebrook leads the rushing efforts with 142 yards over three games.
Upcoming Game Outlook
The Blue Raiders are set to host the Marshall Thundering Herd next. This home game at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium will be an opportunity for Middle Tennessee to leverage their defensive strengths. With their status as 2.5-point underdogs, they will need to focus on improving their rushing game.
Team Betting Trends
- O/U – After Win: 10-4 (71.4%) in the last 14 games.
- SU – As Favorite: 13-7 (65.0%) in the last 20 games.
- O/U – Home Games: 7-4-1 (58.3%) in the last 12 games.
- ATS – Away Games: 10-14 (41.7%) in the last 24 games.
- SU – All Games: 11-19 (36.7%) in the last 30 games.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will need to capitalize on their defensive strengths and make adjustments offensively to improve their performance in upcoming games. Their ability to turn over the ball could be a decisive factor in close contests.
Marshall Thundering Herd Set to Stampede Over Middle Tennessee
Team Overview
The Marshall Thundering Herd have had a mixed start to their 2025 season, currently holding a 1-2 record. After a commanding 38-7 victory against Eastern Kentucky, they are looking to build momentum. Their performance has been bolstered by a strong rushing game, ranking 51st in the nation.
Marshall’s defense has been impressive, particularly in sacks and interceptions, both ranking 4th in the nation. However, their passing game remains an area for improvement, ranking 130th. This game against Middle Tennessee will be crucial for their defense to continue its dominance.
Offensive Strengths
The Thundering Herd’s offensive strength lies in their rushing attack. They have accumulated 533 rushing yards this season, placing them 51st nationally. Justin Williams-Thomas leads the rushing efforts with 100 yards over three games.
While their rushing game is robust, the passing game has struggled, with only 326 yards so far. Zion Turner has contributed the most passing yards, though improvements are needed to balance their offense. The team will aim to utilize their running backs effectively against Middle Tennessee.
Defensive Power
Marshall’s defense has been a stronghold, especially in applying pressure on the quarterback. Their 11 sacks place them 4th in the nation, indicating an aggressive front line. This defensive pressure will be key in stifling Middle Tennessee’s offensive threats.
Their secondary has also been vigilant, with 3 interceptions so far, ranking them 4th in the nation. This strong defensive showing is crucial as they aim to limit Middle Tennessee’s scoring opportunities. Maintaining this defensive intensity will be vital for their success.
Quarterback Performance
Marshall’s quarterback play has seen various contributors, with Zion Turner leading the charge. His 183 passing yards over three games highlight his role in the offense. However, the team needs more consistent quarterback play to enhance their passing game.
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and JacQai Long have also seen time under center, with Del Rio-Wilson throwing for 118 yards. A more balanced offensive approach could aid Marshall in their quest for victory.
Betting Trends
- ATS – After Win: 5-0 (100.0%) in last 5 games (2024–2025)
- ATS – Away Games: 4-0 (100.0%) in last 4 games (2024–2025)
- ATS – As Underdog: 3-0 (100.0%) in last 3 games (2024–2025)
- SU – As Favorite: 16-2 (88.9%) in last 18 games (2022–2025)
- ATS – All Games: 13-3 (81.2%) in last 16 games (2023–2025)
Middle Tennessee vs Marshall Prediction: Over 46.5
Analyzing the offensive and defensive stats of both teams, it’s clear that while their records are identical at 1-2, they both have the potential to score. Marshall has accumulated 65 points in their first three games, while Middle Tennessee has scored 38. This suggests that both teams have the capacity to contribute to a higher-scoring game.
Marshall’s defense, ranked 58th in points against, has allowed 73 points this season. Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee has conceded 89 points, ranked 72nd in the same category. This indicates that both defenses have vulnerabilities that could be exploited, potentially leading to a total over the set line of 46.5.
The head-to-head history also supports the over prediction. In their 2021 meeting at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, Middle Tennessee defeated Marshall 34-28, a game that went over the total line. Although the line was higher at 65.5 then, it shows that these teams can put up points against each other.
Given these factors, the prediction is for the total to go over 46.5. The projected final score for this game is Marshall 28 – Middle Tennessee 24, aligning with the over pick.
- Middle Tennessee vs Marshall Prediction: Over 46.5
- Middle Tennessee vs Marshall Score: Marshall 28 – Middle Tennessee 24
