The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will visit the Kennesaw State Owls in the Conference USA opener for both of these teams. Saturday’s C-USA clash features a Kennesaw State team looking for its third straight win, while Middle Tennessee hopes to avoid a second loss in a row. Before this conference matchup begins on Saturday night, continue reading to get my Middle Tennessee vs Kennesaw State prediction.
Our Middle Tennessee vs Kennesaw State Pick
- Pick: Kennesaw State -7
- Confidence: ★★★☆☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Kennesaw State Owls
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025, 6:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Middle Tennessee vs Kennesaw State Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total (O/U) |
|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw –7 | Kennesaw –250 / MTSU +210 | 53.5 |
Key Storylines
This is a conference showdown in which Kennesaw State enters with momentum, having won two straight. The Owls’ offense has been subpar this season, averaging around 18.3 PPG. But that number is skewed after low scoring outputs against Wake Forest and Indiana from power conferences. Their defense has shown some playmaking ability, performing well against everyone but Indiana.
Middle Tennessee is averaging a meager 16.5 PPG and is allowing 32.8 PPG. Their ground game is nearly nonexistent, averaging only 64 rushing yards per game, making them one-dimensional on offense. Kennesaw will look to force MTSU to beat them through the air.
Quarterback Play
Kennesaw State, Amari Odom: He’s completed about 73.4% of passes so far, with 592 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one interception. He is also a threat on the ground with two rushing touchdowns.
Middle Tennessee, Nicholas Vattiato: He’s completing only about 56.6% of his passes for 847 yards, with six touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He’s been under pressure often, having been sacked 12 times over four games. With a weak running game behind him, Vattiato must be accurate and he must be protected to give MTSU a chance.
Betting Trends & H2H
- Kennesaw State is 2-2 against the spread so far this season.
- Middle Tennessee is 1-3 against the spread early in the year.
- Middle Tennessee’s games have gone under the total in two of their four games..
- Kennesaw State has had three of its four games stay under their totals.
- These teams have played just once all-time. That matchup came last year, with Middle Tennessee winning 14-5.
Middle Tennessee vs Kennesaw State Model Projection
Score Projection: Kennesaw State 28 – Middle Tennessee 13
Win Probability: Kennesaw State 70%, Middle Tennessee 30%
Final Thoughts
Kennesaw State is the more balanced team here, especially given MTSU’s inability to run the football. While Kennesaw isn’t lighting up the scoreboard either, they have enough weaponry to control this game. I project the Owls winning this game by about two touchdowns, covering the spread at home and opening conference play with a win.
