The Missouri State Bears will travel to face the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in Week 7 of the 2025 regular season. This game will take place at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, TN, with a scheduled kickoff at 7:30 PM. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN2.
Entering this game, the Bears have a 2-3 overall record, with a balanced 1-1 record on the road. They are coming off a tough 27-22 home loss against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Meanwhile, the Blue Raiders are looking to improve on their 1-4 record, having lost 24-16 to Kennesaw State in their last outing.
Both teams are part of Conference USA, with each holding a 0-1 conference record so far this season. The odds are slightly in favor of Missouri State, with a moneyline of -132, while Middle Tennessee sits at +111. The spread for the game is set at -2.5 for Missouri State and +2.5 for Middle Tennessee, with the total points over/under at 51.0.
Middle Tennessee vs Missouri State At a Glance
- Game Date and Time: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Venue: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, TN
- Broadcast: The game will be televised on ESPN2
- Weather: Outdoor field conditions are expected
- Game Odds: Missouri State Bears are favored with a moneyline of -132
- Team Records: Missouri State Bears hold a 2-3 record, while Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are 1-4
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders: Analyzing the Game Ahead
Offensive Performance
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders have put up 82 points so far this season, ranking them 89th in the nation. Their passing game is a bright spot, amassing 1,148 yards and placing 75th. However, the rushing attack struggles, ranking 122nd with only 411 yards.
Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato has been the standout performer with 1,132 passing yards, ranking him 66th nationally. Despite his efforts, the team has only managed six passing touchdowns, which is a concern going forward.
Defensive Stand
On defense, the Blue Raiders have allowed 155 points, putting them at 96th in points against. However, their defensive line has been effective, recording nine sacks, which ranks 15th overall. The secondary has also been strong with three interceptions, placing them 4th in the country.
Their ability to recover fumbles is notable, as they rank 6th with three recoveries. This knack for forcing turnovers could be key in their upcoming games.
Recent Game Performances
Middle Tennessee’s recent games have been a mixed bag. They suffered a close 24-16 loss to Kennesaw State, despite outperforming them in first downs and passing yards. Their lone win this season came against Nevada with a narrow 14-13 victory, showcasing their ability to edge out tight contests.
In their game against Marshall, the Blue Raiders managed 299 passing yards but struggled with only 74 rushing yards, contributing to a 42-28 defeat. This highlights the need for a more balanced offensive approach.
Injury Concerns
The Blue Raiders are dealing with multiple injuries, with key players like Kalen Woods and Trevon Ferrell listed as questionable. The status of these players could impact the team’s defensive strategies significantly.
Wide receiver Tyree Patterson’s uncertain status could hinder the passing game, which has been one of their few strengths this season.
Team Betting Trends
- O/U – After Win: 11-4 (73.3%)
- SU – As Favorite: 13-7 (65.0%)
- O/U – Home Games: 8-4-1 (61.5%)
- O/U – As Favorite: 12-8-1 (57.1%)
- SU – Home Games: 13-11 (54.2%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: 15-14-1 (50.0%)
- O/U – As Underdog: 12-12 (50.0%)
Missouri State Bears: Analyzing the Road Ahead
Offensive Dynamics
Missouri State’s offense ranks 49th in passing yards with a total of 1309, indicating a strong aerial game. Quarterback Jacob Clark is leading the charge with impressive stats, accumulating 1195 passing yards and eight touchdowns over five games.
The rushing attack has not been as effective, ranked 111th, with only 556 yards. Despite the struggles on the ground, Shomari Lawrence stands out as a key player with 286 rushing yards.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, Missouri State has been solid with their sack and interception numbers. They rank 17th in sacks with seven and 4th in interceptions with three, showcasing their ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
However, they have allowed 158 points against, ranking 98th in this category. This suggests that while they can make big plays, consistency in preventing scoring is an area to improve.
Recent Performance
The Bears have had mixed results in their recent games, with a notable victory against UT Martin (42-10) and a close loss to Western Kentucky (27-22). Their passing game has been a highlight, particularly in the win against UT Martin where they put up 287 passing yards.
They also showed resilience in their game against Marshall, winning narrowly by 21-20. Despite losing to USC by a significant margin, the Bears have managed to remain competitive in most of their games.
Key Players to Watch
Jacob Clark is a standout player for the Bears, leading the team in passing and contributing significantly to their offensive success. Dash Luke and Jmariyae Robinson have been reliable targets, combining for over 500 receiving yards.
On defense, the Bears’ ability to generate turnovers will be crucial. Their interception and sack leaders will need to maintain their form to help keep opposing offenses in check.
Team Betting Trends
- O/U – Away Games: Last 5 Games → 4-1 (80.0%)
- ATS – After Loss: Last 7 Games → 5-2 (71.4%)
- ATS – All Games: Last 9 Games → 6-3 (66.7%)
- ATS – Totals ≥ 50: Last 9 Games → 6-3 (66.7%)
- ATS – Away Games: Last 6 Games → 4-2 (66.7%)
As the Missouri State Bears prepare for their upcoming game, these trends provide insight into their performance in similar situations. The Bears will look to continue their strong showing against the spread, especially in away games.
Middle Tennessee vs Missouri State Prediction: Missouri State -2.5
In this matchup between Middle Tennessee and Missouri State, the odds lean towards Missouri State with a -2.5 spread. Despite having a 2-3 record, Missouri State has shown a more balanced performance compared to Middle Tennessee. The Bears’ road record of 1-1 gives them an edge in away games, and their conference standing is slightly better than Middle Tennessee’s.
Middle Tennessee, on the other hand, struggles at home with a 0-2 record this season. Their offensive struggles are evident in their ranking of 89th in points for and 122nd in rushing yards. These factors, combined with their betting trend of not covering the spread as underdogs, make it challenging for them to outperform Missouri State.
Missouri State’s offensive unit has demonstrated more capability, ranking 49th in passing yards, and they have a slight advantage in first downs. Although their defense ranks low in points against, their ability to recover fumbles and generate turnovers could be pivotal in this game.
Given the current form and statistical advantages, backing Missouri State to cover the -2.5 spread seems the most viable option. The projected final score reflects these considerations, suggesting a close but decisive win for Missouri State.
- Middle Tennessee vs Missouri State Prediction: Missouri State -2.5
- Middle Tennessee vs Missouri State Score: Missouri State 27 – Middle Tennessee 21
