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BYU vs. Middle Tennessee Last Minute Predictions

By Mitch Harper

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The month of October was not a treat for BYU; it was a long, painful trick that has many wondering if there is any end in sight.

The Cougars have an opportunity today to get back on the winning side of things with a game they are favored in against the Blue Raider of Middle Tennessee. Can BYU bounce back and get this win? In most years, I would say a BYU trip to Murfreesboro would end up in a victory for the Cougars going away. This year, and with this team at the moment, nothing is a given.

There are no givens right now with this BYU team, but I will try and dial up some predictions that I expect to play out during today’s game.

  • BYU’s defense will give up more than 30 points

BYU is in danger of losing their fifth consecutive game for the first time since 1970. During this four-game skid that the Cougars are currently in, BYU has given up 30 points in each game (first time since 1993), and I would expect the Cougar D to cough up another 30-plus points this afternoon.

Over the past month there has been nothing from this defense that would suggest any different result. Middle Tennessee is a big-play offense that is currently in the top 10 nationally for most players from scrimmage that go for 15-plus yards. They can move the football.

  • Christian Stewart will throw for three touchdowns

BYU’s defense has played terrible the past month but the Cougar offense has been respectable at times. Last week in Boise was not one of those moments where the offense shined, but against Nevada two weeks ago, Christian Stewart threw for 402 yards.

Like BYU’s D, the Blue Raiders cough up points. The Blue Raiders have given up 31.9 points per game this season, which is 95th in the country. Expect Stewart to have a solid game statistically and tossing for a trio of touchdown passes. The TD tosses will go to Jordan Leslie, Jamaal Williams, and Mitch Mathews.

  • Brayden Kearsley will make his presence felt along the offensive line at guard

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Kearsley had his first start of the season against Utah State a month ago, but then suffered an ankle injury sidelining him the past three games. Kearsley is back this week and is expected to be starting at right guard next to De’Ondre Wesley at right tackle.

Kearsley who has had an up-and-down career at BYU to this point, is ready for a dominating performance today in the ‘Boro. Despite his struggles, Kearsley is one of BYU’s best linemen, and could become a permanent fixture along the line along with left guard, Kyle Johnson.

  • BYU fans will be heard in Murfreesboro

More than 4,000 fans are expected to be in attendance for today’s game. How impressive is it that BYU is travelling into another time zone, and BYU fans are still showing up in strong numbers for a game that has nothing at stake? Shows how big BYU’s national following truly is. I remember the amazing turnout BYU had for the Ole Miss game in 2011 with 36 states being represented in the stands in Oxford. It doesn’t matter where BYU plays, Cougar fans will show up.

I expect this to be a back-and-forth football game, and when BYU gets the momentum at any point of the game, you can expect to hear a loud and triumphant cheer of B-Y-U from the Cougar faithful.

  • Middle Tennessee 37, BYU 34

This is going to be an exciting football game if you’re someone who doesn’t like defense, but likes video game statistics. This one is going to have it. Sadly, it’s going to result in a BYU defeat. BYU’s fragile mental state as a team will struggle to overcome the adversity of a tight football game on the other road. Middle Tennessee is a decent football team that has an opportunity to get bowl eligible with a win. If BYU does fall, the Cougars’ bowl trip to Miami will rest on the UNLV game two weeks from now.

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