Virginia Tech will open up the playbook (read: lots of passing) and force Middle Tennessee to do the same by shutting down its run game. I expect the Tech offense to revert to the mean this weekend with a much higher point total. Last weekend’s matchup was a hard-fought anomaly from the scoring department due to turnovers and first week synchronization issues for both teams. For reference, Virginia Tech lost to North Carolina last season, 56-45. Last year, Virginia Tech averaged 31.1 points per game. The offensive workload will fall on the aerial attack, as the Virginia Tech defense will have no problem stuffing the Middle Tennessee run game. The defense will be tested early and often as it sees not only its first FBS opponent, but a Power Five one at that.

Their rushing attack was stymied by the FCS opponent, averaging only 2.82 yards per carry on 34 attempts. The Blue Raiders impressed offensively last week, throwing for 243 yards and three touchdowns while utilizing a two-quarterback system. Expect Virginia Tech to open the throttle this week as it uses this game as a tune-up before heading to Morgantown next week to face West Virginia. The Virginia Tech defense was tough, giving up only 10 points, but a lot of that can be attributed to a plethora of turnovers by North Carolina. The former Oregon Duck is now 4-1 as a starter for VT and looks settled and confident in his new role. The Hokies looked impressive in their first outing, as quarterback Braxton Burmeister led the offense. Virginia Tech will look to keep its positive momentum rolling against a Middle Tennessee State team that allowed 35.4 points and 446 yards per game last season. Middle Tennessee State comes to Blacksburg after blowing out FCS opponent Monmouth, 50-15. 19 Virginia Tech (1-0) hosts Middle Tennessee State (1-0) after taking down No. Tulsa has the defense to keep Okie State in check and keep this close, especially early on. These teams actually met last year in Tulsa in a game Okie State won, 16-7, although the Golden Hurricane actually led 7-3 in the fourth quarter. That said, they lost star defensive end Trace Ford for the season to an injury last week and won’t have star safety Tre Sterling for the first half this week due to a targeting suspension. The Cowboys did lose a few key pieces but still project as a very solid defense. On the other side of the ball, the Oklahoma State defense is supposed to shoulder the load this season. Yes, Sanders is expected to return this week, but who knows how sharp he will look? And he won’t solve the offensive line issues. This offense, which lost a lot of production in the offseason, has problems. They ran the ball 28 times for only 54 yards - an average of less than two yards per carry. Yes, quarterback Spencer Sanders didn’t play due to COVID-19 protocols, but the offensive line really struggled. Last week, the Pokes barely held on to beat FCS Missouri State, 23-16, in a game Missouri State won the first down battle, 23-16. Oklahoma State, which could also come out a little flat for this noon kick, certainly has issues of its own. It also committed a barrage of penalties and turnovers.

It’s worth noting that Tulsa had nine players suspended last week, including four starters, all of whom will return on Saturday. Pick: Ohio State Team Total Over 37Īfter losing its home opener to UC Davis, Tulsa should come out with its hair on fire for a road showdown against in-state big brother. That’s why I will take their team total over, as I expect more from the offense taking advantage of the beat-up Oregon defense. With players like Miyan Williams, TreVeyon Henderson, and Chris Olave, Ohio State can put up points in a flash. With Ohio State’s defense banged up, especially in the secondary, this could create more opportunities for the offense to be out on the field. Ohio State is going to come out scorching hot, as it wants to make a statement in the Game of the Week. They will now need to find success at the defensive end position as Ohio State comes with an explosive ground attack.Īt first, I leaned toward the under as my best bet, but I just don’t trust this Oregon defense to do its part to limit Ohio State’s explosive offense. Worse yet, the Ducks saw their best player and potential top-three NFL Draft pick, Kayvon Thibodeaux, go down with an injury - a game-changer for sure. They now go against a step up in talent and skill. Last week’s matchup against Fresno State showed us that the Fresno offense could move the ball with ease against the Oregon defense. They better be awake and alert because they have a buzzsaw of an Ohio State team coming at them. Traveling east for their matchup against Ohio State, this will be a 9 a.m. I don’t know about you, but I’m not fully functioning in my day until I get my morning Red Bull and some food in me.

Middle tennessee vs toledo prediction