Troy at Middle Tennessee State 9/19/20 - College Football Picks & Predictions

The Troy Trojans hit the road Saturday for a visit to Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro,Tennessee to play the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders. Last season Troy was 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Sun Belt. The Trojans averaged 456 yards per game and 34 points. The receiving corps will highlight the offense with Kaylon Geiger, Khalil McClain and Reggie Todd all returning. The three combined to catch 160 receptions in 2019. Gunnar Watson should take over at quarterback but Parker McNeil will pressure for playing time early.

The defense was the weak link in 2018 after allowing 36 or more points in seven of the final 11 games. Eight of nine top tacklers are returning as well as talented transfers. Three starters from the secondary return as sophomores and several new additions will make the secondary much stronger. Carlton Martial returns to lead the linebackers corps while Will Choloh will anchor the defensive line along with transfer Richard Jibunor. 

Middle Tennessee State opened the season with a 42-0 loss to the Army Black Knights. The Blue Raiders could not stop the running game of the Black Knights allowing 340 yards on the ground. MTS quarterback Asher O’Hara was able to rush for just 37 yards while passing for 46 yards and was intercepted twice before being replaced. Army ran the ball 62 times against the Blue Raiders defense. 

Asher O’Hara has 46 yards passing and two interceptions as well as 39 yards rushing, while Chase Cunningham, who replaced O’Hara has 63 yards passing. Jarrin Pierce has four receptions for 33 yards, while Will Gilchrist has one reception for 24 yards to lead all Middle Tennessee State receivers. Defensively, safety Redd Blankenship has a team-high nine tackles.