Middle Tennessee vs Charlotte: Preview, How to Watch, and Prediction

Date/Start Time: Saturday, 2pm Eastern

Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Stream: Watch ESPN

Records: Middle Tennessee 4-5, Charlotte 1-8

Series History: Middle Tennessee has won both of the meetings between these teams, one by means of a blowout and the other ending a one score game.

Betting line: Middle Tennessee -13, O/U 50

Preview

After a string of bad losses, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders find themselves once again in a position where they have to end their season strong just to become eligible. They got off to a good start last week against a winless UTEP team and look to keep it up against the struggling Charlotte 49ers.

Last week in his return to action, quarterback Brent Stockstill showed why he was the undisputed leader of this team and reminded fans how important he is to this Blue Raider offense. In such a crucial point of the season, the offense needs Stockstill’s leadership and accuracy in the passing game to finish drives with touchdowns, not turnovers and field goals.

A huge part of the success Stockstill had last week was thanks to the rushing game. Thanks to rushing threats Brad Anderson and Tavares Thomas, the Blue Raiders are able to slow down the pass rush enough to help out the offensive line in the passing game.

As for the Charlotte 49ers, at multiple points of this season, they have shown they can play some really good football. It just seems like they can’t quite put it all together consistently. Quarterback Hasaan Klugh is very talented and can burn this Middle Tennessee defense if he gets going Saturday. His performance against UAB earlier this year will be valuable film for coaches to see Klugh’s ability to take over a game and lead his team to victory.

But as much as Charlotte wins by Klugh, they also die by Klugh when he doesn’t play well. His performance last week at Old Dominion was underwhelming to say the least. If Middle Tennessee can find a way to shut him down, this game might not even be close.

Prediction

In true Middle Tennessee fashion, this team is coming into it’s own here at the end of the season and are finally starting to get things together. I can’t speak enough to the leadership of Brent Stockstill and what it means to this team. They need him to play well in order to continue moving in the right direction.

With that being said, I think he does play well and leads this team to a two-game winning streak.

Middle Tennessee 28, Charlotte 13