Sparlimb
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Middle Tennessee (1-0) at Minnesota (1-0) Sept. 6, 3:30, Big Ten Network
Here's The Deal: Middle Tennessee and Minnesota won their openers going away versus overmatched FCS teams. Now they’ll use one another to get a better read on how much work needs to be done before the start of league play. The Gophers weren’t overly impressive on Thursday, getting outgained by Eastern Illinois. The Blue Raiders rolled through Savannah State, 61-7, in a far less demanding matchup.
Why Middle Tennessee Might Win: There are a lot of playmakers in Murfreesboro, which is a worry for the Gopher staff. The Blue Raiders can get into space with a wave of different skill position players, led by RB Jordan Parker and WR Marcus Henry. Plus, Minnesota can be flexed on defense, even more so now that the D-line has been depleted by Week 1 injuries.
Why Minnesota Might Win: Yeah, the Blue Raiders are opportunistic defensively, but they’ll be worn down by a Big Ten offensive line. Zac Epping & Co. will pound the Middle Tennessee front, springing feature back David Cobb and agile QB Mitch Leidner. If the Blue Raiders sell out to stop the run, Leidner will play-action his way to seam-busting connections to TE Maxx Williams and WR Donovahn Jones.
Who To Watch Out For: The Gophers can survive early-season games without much contribution from the passing game. But what happens when the schedule gets prickly, like next week’s trip to Fort Worth? Coordinator Matt Limegrover likes to ground-and-pound, but at some point defenses will stack the box to stop Cobb.
What’s Going To Happen: While Middle Tennessee has been steady under Rick Stockstill, it’s generally flopped in the face of quality Power Five teams. Such will be the case on Saturday, with the Minnesota running game controlling the clock and ultimately the scoreboard.
Prediction: Minnesota 38 … Middle Tennessee 21
Line: Minnesota -16; o/u: 51.5
Must Watch Factor: (5: Hacked and Leaked Photos of Kate Upton ... 1: Hacked and Leaked Photos of Kate Upton and Justin Verlander) – 2.5
Here's The Deal: Middle Tennessee and Minnesota won their openers going away versus overmatched FCS teams. Now they’ll use one another to get a better read on how much work needs to be done before the start of league play. The Gophers weren’t overly impressive on Thursday, getting outgained by Eastern Illinois. The Blue Raiders rolled through Savannah State, 61-7, in a far less demanding matchup.
Why Middle Tennessee Might Win: There are a lot of playmakers in Murfreesboro, which is a worry for the Gopher staff. The Blue Raiders can get into space with a wave of different skill position players, led by RB Jordan Parker and WR Marcus Henry. Plus, Minnesota can be flexed on defense, even more so now that the D-line has been depleted by Week 1 injuries.
Why Minnesota Might Win: Yeah, the Blue Raiders are opportunistic defensively, but they’ll be worn down by a Big Ten offensive line. Zac Epping & Co. will pound the Middle Tennessee front, springing feature back David Cobb and agile QB Mitch Leidner. If the Blue Raiders sell out to stop the run, Leidner will play-action his way to seam-busting connections to TE Maxx Williams and WR Donovahn Jones.
Who To Watch Out For: The Gophers can survive early-season games without much contribution from the passing game. But what happens when the schedule gets prickly, like next week’s trip to Fort Worth? Coordinator Matt Limegrover likes to ground-and-pound, but at some point defenses will stack the box to stop Cobb.
What’s Going To Happen: While Middle Tennessee has been steady under Rick Stockstill, it’s generally flopped in the face of quality Power Five teams. Such will be the case on Saturday, with the Minnesota running game controlling the clock and ultimately the scoreboard.
Prediction: Minnesota 38 … Middle Tennessee 21
Line: Minnesota -16; o/u: 51.5
Must Watch Factor: (5: Hacked and Leaked Photos of Kate Upton ... 1: Hacked and Leaked Photos of Kate Upton and Justin Verlander) – 2.5