Jacksonville State vs. Middle Tennessee Best Bet: Will Nicholas Vattiato, Blue Raiders Cover?

Jacksonville State vs. Middle Tennessee Best Bet: Will Nicholas Vattiato, Blue Raiders Cover?

Jacksonville State might have a 4-1 record in their inaugural FBS season, but take a look at who they’ve had to play. The only legitimate D1 program they’ve played this season was Coastal Carolina, and they’re in the midst of one of their worst seasons in a decade. Jacksonville State might have beaten their other four opponents, but I think their record is quite fraudulent. In Wednesday night’s primetime CFB affair, will Middle Tennessee State show the world how overrated this Jacksonville State team really is?

Jacksonville State vs. Middle Tennessee Date, Time, and Where to Watch

• Date: October 4, 2023
• Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPNU

Jacksonville State vs. Middle Tennessee Prediction

Jacksonville State shouldn’t even be 4-1. Thanks to an incredible come from behind victory down seven points with ten seconds left last week, the Gamecocks not only beat SHSU, but covered in OT. This team has had luck on their side all season, but something’s gotta give, right? Unless the gambling gods have a sneak Jacksonville State to win the Sun Belt ticket, I expect their luck to be coming to an end as they hit the road against Middle Tennessee tonight.

Don’t get me wrong, Middle Tennessee isn’t good. They are 1-4 for a reason, but their schedule has been much more difficult to start the season than Jacksonville State's cupcake schedule. If Nicholas Vattiato can’t bounce back after a brutal game against WKU last week against this secondary, he doesn’t deserve to be a D1 starting QB. I still believe in Vattiato and this Middle Tennessee passing attack. The Gamecocks’ secondary is weak, and should be targeted heavily by Middle Tennessee and their underrated QB tonight.

I’m willing to bet Vattiato and Middle Tennessee slice and dice the Gamecocks’ secondary at home tonight, earning their first conference win of the season. They had a tough go at it last week, and the public seems to be pouncing all over Jacksonville State in this spot. More than half the bets are currently backing Jacksonville State on both the spread and moneyline. Public dogs don’t pay, especially in football. Fade the 4-1 Gamecocks with the public on their side, and back a Middle Tennessee team I still believe in. They hung around in Missouri against a ranked MIZZ team in Week 1. This team has some fight in them, and with everyone doubting them and their starting QB, let’s buy low on this program tonight.

Middle Tennessee opened up a 4.5 point favorite in this matchup. That was some serious respect shown by oddsmakers to Middle Tennessee, and with the public coming in on Jacksonville State, it’s not surprising to see Middle Tennessee down to -3 on the spread. I feel great backing this team at a key number like that. Don’t get scared off by their poor showing against Western Kentucky last week. This is an ultimate letdown spot for Jacksonville State after pulling off a miracle comeback, and with Middle Tennessee getting destroyed last week. Sell high on the Gamecocks, and buy low on Middle Tennessee State at home.

Jacksonville State vs. Middle Tennessee Best Bet

MTSU -3 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

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