Free College Football Picks Today: Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders vs Florida Atlantic Owls 11/19/22

The Florida Atlantic University Owls (5-5, 4-2 CUSA), one of the Conference USA’s top rushing offenses, travel to face the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders (5-5, 2-4 CUSA), one of the conference’s weakest ground defenses, at Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium on Saturday.

The Owls are six-point favorites, and the total is 51.5. Florida Atlantic is coming off a one-sided 52-7 win over FIU at Riccardo Silva Stadium last Saturday. N’Kosi Perry was 14 of 22 for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Larry McCammon III ran 26 times for 104 yards. Tony Johnson caught two passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Middle Tennessee beat Charlotte 24-14 at Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium last Saturday. Nicholas Vattiato threw for 203 yards and an interception. Frank Peasant carried 17 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Elijah Metcalf hauled in eight receptions for 83 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Blue Raiders won the only game between the teams last season, a 27-17 victory in November. Mike DiLiello threw one touchdown for Middle Tennessee. N’Kosi Perry tossed two touchdowns for Florida Atlantic.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Owls are averaging 30.5 points per game for the season, fifth in the CUSA, and they are facing a Blue Raiders defense that has surrendered 28.8 PPG (6th). Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee has scored 26.8 points a game this season, eighth in the conference, and Florida Atlantic is allowing 23.8 PPG (3rd).

The Owls rank 94th in the country in passing yards per game (211.7) and 24th in rushing (200.5). They have an advantageous matchup through the air, as the Blue Raiders are 117th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (275.7). Against the run, Middle Tennessee is 47th (134.9).

Middle Tennessee is 49th in the country in passing yards per game (247.9) and 108th in rushing (114.5), while the Owls are allowing 209.1 passing yards (42nd) and 182.0 rushing yards per game (106th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 10 games, N’Kosi Perry has thrown for 22 touchdowns (5 INT) and 210.3 yards per game to lead Florida Atlantic in passing. In five away games this season, he has 13 TDs (3 INT) and an average of 231.4 yards passing.

Larry McCammon III leads the team in rushing with an average of 83.6 yards a game over 10 games. He has four touchdowns on the ground and four through the air.

LaJohntay Wester is the Owls’ leading receiver with 58.1 yards a game and eight TDs. Chase Cunningham has 14 passing touchdowns (8 INT) with 243.7 yards per game through nine games to lead Middle Tennessee.

In three home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (2 INT) and an average of 270.7 yards. Frank Peasant has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 63.3 yards a game through 10 games.

He has eight touchdowns. Jaylin Lane has been a key target in the Blue Raiders’ passing game. He has four touchdowns and an 84.2 yard per game average through eight appearances.