[The General]

Middle Tenn St @ Troy 8 PM Est ESPN2

Let's try and compile some reason(s) to play or not to play Troy this evening and then we can review them all to determine what we want to do if anything. Any info is appreciated.

Thanks

[The General]

1. The line has moved from 5½ to 7 so we have to lay a bad number if we like Troy.

[HoulihansTX]

Don't play Troy, b/c there is no value in a -7 line that opened at -4.5.

Play Troy, b/c they are the most talented team in the Sun Belt, have bet equally talented teams on the road, Middle Tenn St.'s O/D-Lines will be overpowered, and Troy is at HOME,

[wal66]

I wish I could give some imput General. I haven't watched Midd Tenn St play and only watched Troy against Florida and only real impression I got on them were they were slow. Against Florida's speed though that really isn't much to go on. I'm only playing them because my program tells me they should win straight up.

I just realized this was a useless post as I contributed absolutely nothing. My apologies sir.

[SCRAGGS]

If troy keeps MST QB in check it will be a blow out.

[Fishhead]

PRO TROY----They beat Arkansas State who gave Iowa all they could handle........and were picked by most to win their conference preseason.


CON TROY-----I like MTSU and wagered on them.



FH

[KEN69TON]

this is the third road game for middle tenn st, and last week vs unt (which is my school) they looked tired and like crap, troy is the better team too

[Mac4Lyfe]

I like MTSU.. Not sure why. They beat Maryland on the road (Who hasn't beaten MD). I think the wins over Memphis and N. Texas has made me a believer. Also my cousin went there outside of Nashville and they usually field competitive teams. I'm going with them just to fade the public. BOL

[Cougar Bait]

MTSU has 16 seniors and Troy has 30, 8 of which are starters on defense. And, a senior kicker. Both teams have combined to throw 9 INTs this year though, so having some points to lean on might not be a bad idea. Not playing. GL, I'll wait for Thursday.

[The General]

Middle Tennessee (3-1) at Troy (2-2)

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, October 6th, 8:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium (30,000) -- Troy, Alabama. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: MT 1-0, Troy 1-0. Away Record: MT 2-1, Troy 1-2. Neutral Record: MT 0-0, Troy 0-0. Conference Record: MT 1-0, Troy 1-0. Series Record: Middle Tennessee leads, 11-5.

GAME NOTES: The Battle for The Palladium will take place Tuesday evening when the Troy Trojans host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in a Sun Belt Conference battle at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium.

Off to their best start since opening the 2001 season with five consecutive wins, the Blue Raiders will try to grab their fourth victory of the year Tuesday evening. Middle Tennessee opened the campaign with a 37-14 setback to Clemson, but has reeled off three victories since, including a 37-21 decision over North Texas on September 26th.

As for the Trojans, they began the year with two straight losses, but the team has rebounded with back-to-back decisions over UAB (27-14) and Arkansas State (30-27). Troy has dominated league play over the past three years, winning three consecutive Sun Belt titles, although last season's was the first outright championship.

The Blue Raiders currently lead the all-time series by an 11-5 margin. However, the Trojans have won the last three matchups, including a 31-17 decision last year.

The Blue Raiders scored 30 first half points and never looked back, as they defeated North Texas by a 16-point margin. Dwight Dasher did most of the work for MT, as the quarterback threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-43 passing. The signal caller also led the ground game with 75 yards and two more scores, while D.D. Kyles added 62 yards on 18 totes. QB Dasher has been Mr. Everything for the Blue Raiders this year, as the quarterback has thrown for 1,028 yards and seven touchdowns against five interceptions. On top of his passing abilities, Dasher has also been the main source of production for the rushing attack, coming into this matchup with a team-high 251 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Kyles is the top tailback, but he has just 132 yards on a mere 3.7 yards per tote. As a whole the Blue Raiders are averaging an impressive 407.2 total ypg, and that has translated into a solid 28.5 ppg.

Middle Tennessee's defensive unit struggled last time out, surrendering 21 points on a whopping 470 total yards. MT surrendered 313 passing yards in the win, but the defense collected three interceptions and five overall turnovers. The unit did not grab a sack in the matchup, but Middle Tennessee limited North Texas to just 4-of-13 on third downs and just 2-of-4 in the red zone. This defense has lived off the big play early in the year, racking up 13 takeaways (six interceptions and seven fumbles) in the first four games. What has plagued this team thus far, has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are churning out 152.5 ypg on the ground. Out of the 11 touchdowns surrendered, seven have come via the run. Overall, this defense is being punished for 374.0 total yards and that has led to 25.8 ppg by the opposition.

A 17-point second quarter was the main reason the Trojans walked away with a three-point victory over Arkansas State in their last matchup. Levi Brown was outstanding in the win, as the signal caller threw for 355 yards and two scores on 33-of-46 passing. Tebiarus Gill was very busy, as the wideout hauled in 10 passes for 85 yards and one touchdown. The ground game was not very formidable, but the team still finished with 134 yards on 37 carries. DuJuan Harris did most of the damage, rushing for 48 yards and one score. On the year Harris has a team-best 161 yards and three scores, but the rushing game as a whole has labored for 96.5 ypg on just 3.1 yards per attempt. Fortunately the team can rely on the arm of Brown, who has thrown for 1,097 yards on 63.7 percent efficiency. However, the quarterback has only thrown five touchdowns against four interceptions and that ratio will definitely need to improve as the season progresses. Overall Troy comes into this weekend averaging 375.2 total yards per matchup, but that has led to just 19.2 ppg.

The Trojans were not at their best defensively against Arkansas State, but the team did enough to earn the victory. Troy allowed 235 yards through the air, but the defense bottled up the Red Wolves on the ground, holding them to just 70 yards on 2.8 yards per attempt. Troy allowed ASU to score on all four of its red zone chances, but the defense was able to feed off three turnovers, and also limited the Red Wolves to just 2-of-9 on third down attempts. Four games into the season and it is evident that Troy has endured some problems defending the pass, as opponents are torching the Trojans for 263.8 ypg. Out of the 15 touchdowns allowed, nine have come via the pass. Overall the Trojans head into this matchup allowing 410.5 total ypg, and that has led to an equally poor 32.0 ppg.

The Trojans have been unable to stop the pass on the year, and that could be a problem with Dasher and company coming for the Palladium. While the Blue Raiders should make this an interesting matchup, look for the Trojans to hold on for a close win at home.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Troy 34, Middle Tennessee 31

[TPowell]

whats the big diff. between 4.5 and 6.5? I got -6.5 and just wondered. 2 points is a LOT but its about the smallest 2 points you can find IMO

[mmike032]

cause Lang is on Mid Tenn

[diogee]

whats the big diff. between 4.5 and 6.5? I got -6.5 and just wondered. 2 points is a LOT but its about the smallest 2 points you can find IMO

According to the half-point calc 4.56%...pushes on 5/6 which you would win at the good number but lose at 6.5

[G's pks]

MTSU +7.5 -135 very, very small entertainment bet

[Pin Fish]

Black Widow

6* Widow Wiseguy MTSU/Troy Sun Belt Side SLAUGHTER on Middle Tennessee State +7

The Blue Raiders are ready to stand up to the Troy Trojans in the Sun Belt conference this season. MTSU is already 3-1 this season, beating Memphis, Maryland and North Texas. They have an explosive offense that is putting up 28.5 points/game, 407.2 yards/game and 274.8 passing yards/game. In fact, seven different receivers have caught touchdown passes from QB Dwight Dasher through just four games. This team has the balance that it takes to knock off the bully in the Sun Belt, which is the Trojans. Troy has won 3 straight and 4 of their last 5 against MTSU, so you know that Blue Raiders will be hungry for some revenge tonight. The Trojans are 2-2 this season, with their only wins against 1-3 Arkansas State and 2-3 UAB. Troy is only putting up 19.2 points/game on offense this season, so they are lacking the explosiveness it takes to cover a touchdown spread at home tonight against an improved MTSU team. The Blue Raiders have 16 starters back this season compared to Troy's 12, including 10 on offense. The Blue Raiders are 12-3 (80%) ATS in their last 15 games in October. The Blue Raiders are 5-1 (83%) ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game. MTSU has the balanced offense it takes to give the Trojans' defense fits tonight, likely pulling off the upset. Take Middle Tennessee State and the points.

hmmmmmmmmmmmm

[TPowell]

**** that calc, game will be decently high scoring and touchdowns will be like field goals

[HoulihansTX]

cause Lang is on Mid Tenn

Thank you GOD. I didn't even think to look for Langer's Fade

[Reload]

None of the above - this game is only for the biggest of degenerates

[The General]

I took some prop bets for action and feel good about them in a game like this. After reading the SportsNetwork preview I liked the Dasher minus 20½ yards prop.

[The General]

No matter what I love college football so to have a game on tonight is great, IMO.

[The General]

Lot of action in just over 3 mins in.

[Squirrel]

18 yards of total offense in the first 7 minutes

[MJT1212]

Play Troy b/c...

They have a scary ass real life monster on their team #48

[20Four7]

Can someone wake me up when the game is over..... thanks......

[The General]

I took some prop bets for action and feel good about them in a game like this. After reading the SportsNetwork preview I liked the Dasher minus 20½ yards prop.

I just checked the box score and amazingly enough I did win one pick. I was shocked to see it honestly. Even in the bad defeat and poor team performance, Dasher had decent numbers. I did not think there was a chance of hitting this pick.

Rushing - Dwight Dasher 18-53; Levi Brown 6--3
Passing - Dwight Dasher 24-44-245-0; Levi Brown 18-30-191-0


Dasher 298; Brown 194


Would you have thought the -20½ could be a winner after watching that Middle Tennessee St offense?


Not me, but glad to get a win on the board. There may be an error in the stats.

Team Stats
MITNST TROY
First Downs 19 - 22
Third Down Efficiency 4-17 8-18
Fourth Down Efficiency 0-2 0-0
Plays-Net Yards 72-354 79-455
Rushes-Yds 28-109 49-264
Passing Yds 245 191
Kick Return Yds 107 17
Punt Return Yds 0 40
Passes 24-44-0 18-30-0
Punts 11-417 9-364
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-Yds 7-55 12-92
Time of Poss. 25:52 34:8


Individual Stats

RUSHING
MITNST: Dwight Dasher 18-53, D.D. Kyles 6-53, Benjamin Cunningham 3-10, Desmond Gee 1--7
TROY: Dantavious Parker 6-83, Maurice Greer 7-80, DuJuan Harris 14-64, Shawn Southward 12-36, Jerrel Jernigan 2-5, D.J. Taylor 1-4, Levi Brown 6--3, Team 1--5

PASSING
MITNST: Dwight Dasher 24-44-245-0
TROY: Levi Brown 18-30-191-0

RECEIVING
MITNST: Tavarres Jefferson 7-79, Patrick Honeycutt 5-66, Garrett Andrews 3-22, Wes Caldwell 2-29, Desmond Gee 2-22, D.D. Kyles 2-11, Sancho McDonald 1-10, Chris McClover 1-4, Benjamin Cunningham 1-2
TROY: Jerrel Jernigan 6-32, DuJuan Harris 2-23, Patrick Cherry 2-14, Jason Bruce 2-7, Chip Reeves 1-52, Austin Silvoy 1-24, Zack Marcum 1-16, Josh Jarboe 1-9, Andrew Davis 1-7, Shawn Southward 1-7