After burning the left side of my body in the Mississippi sun, I've applied my Aloe Vera, finished the workweek, and It's officially 100 Miles of Hate week in Conference USA, as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers travel south to Murfreesboro to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. You typically look forward to this mid-end of season matchup when both teams are in peak shape, but this early meeting will be a test for both teams so early in the season.
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BLUE RAIDERS
Following the Blue Raiders last-minute win over Tennessee Tech, the Blue Raiders traveled to Oxford and took on the #6 Ole Miss Rebels.
Nicholas Vattiato went 21/33 for 209 yards and one interception in Middles 52-3 loss to the Rebels. Freshman Roman Gagliano connected on 4/7 for 41 yards. Middle rushed 25 times for 28 yards, with Frank Peasant and Jekail Middlebrook sustaining injuries in the process. Vattiato utilized 13 different receivers, with only nine in positive yardage, and two with more than 30 yards. Omari Kelly had a touchdown called back for an offensive holding penalty. Brendon Harris led the team with 12 total tackles, while the Blue Raider defense sacked the rebels 3 times, and had 6 tackles for loss.
Middle Tennessee's lone three points came from a 32 yard field goal by none other than the kick father himself, Zeke Rankin. Grant Chadwick is cementing himself as one of the nations most entertaining punters, as he had 4 punts for 159 yards, including one stopped at the opponents 1-yard line.
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE HILLTOPPERS
After a 63-0 burger by Alabama, the Hilltoppers took on in-state FCS foe, Eastern Kentucky, in a battle of the white outs (if you don't know the story, look it up).
Western is averaging 15.5 points per game, while TJ Finley threw for 351 yards and one touchdown in their 31-0 win over the Colonels. Elijah Young led the ground attack with 13 carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns, while Kisean Johnson had six catches for 119 yards.
Westerns secondary was solid, only allowing 11 receptions for 76 yards, while their rush defense allowed 40 carries for 190 yards. Defensively, the Hilltoppers forced 1 sack and had 8 tackles for loss. Cole Maynard had one punt for 42 yards.
WESTERN KENTUCKY
PLAYER | POSITION | SEASON STATS |
TJ Finley | QB | 45/70, 443 yards, 1 td, 2 int |
Elijah Young | RB | 23 att, 70 yards, 2 td |
Kisean Johnson | WR | 8 rec, 134 yards, 0 td |
Darius Thomas | LB | 1 sack, 9 tackles, 1 tfl |
Rodney Newson | OL | 0 int, 0 yards, 0 td |
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
PLAYER | POSITION | SEASON STATS |
Nicholas Vattiato | QB | 41/68, 419 yards, 1 td, 2 int |
Jaiden Credle | RB | 19 att, 50 yards, 1 td |
Holden Willis | TE | 8 rec, 125 yards |
James Gillespie | DT | 2 sacks, 4 tackles, 2 tfl |
John Howse IV | S | 11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 ff, 1 int |
GAME PREDICTION
Both teams come into this 100 Miles of Hate matchup at 1-1; with losses to top-ranked SEC powerhouses, and wins against mediocre FCS opponents. Middle Tennessee has looked better offensively, scoring 35 points in two games, while the Hilltoppers only have 31. Both teams can chuck the ball down the field, while the run game has yet to get going.
Downside, Middle has given up nearly 400 passing yards per game, while giving up more than 250 yards on the ground. With Middle missing seven starters for this matchup, including running backs Peasant and Middlebrook, I expect the Blue Raider offense to rely on their old school air-raid system, making them one dimensional. A strong point of Westerns defense.
If Middle can get the run game going and find a way to curb their defensive woes, predict they can come out on top, beating the Hilltoppers for the first time since 2018.
FINAL PREDICTION: Middle Tenenssee 24, Western Kentucky 21