New Orleans Bowl Preview

The third encounter on the bowl docket was setup to be the place where the Sun Belt champion would play. However, because Troy has won the conference for the third time in the last four years, they opted for a different bowl and the second best team in the league, Middle Tennessee State has willingly taken their place.

The Blue Raiders were 9-3 SU and ATS during the regular season and boast a six-game win streak (all covers) heading to the Big Easy. If you haven’t seen Mid. Tennessee St. play, quarterback Dwight Dasher is a good reason to tune in. He is a quality all-around athlete for a team that is averaging 31.7 points per game. The Blue Raiders ended up with a number of big plays on offense, which is why they only possess the ball for just under 27:30 minutes a game. M.T.S. is 13-5 ATS after two or more consecutive wins against the spread and 8-1 ATS after a win by 17 or more points over the last three seasons.

It’s appears a bit odd Troy didn’t want to come to New Orleans, considering this will be Southern Mississippi’s fourth visit to this event in the last six years. The Golden Eagles (7-5, 6-5 ATS) are making their 12th bowl appearance in the last 13 years. Last season they upset Troy 30-27 in overtime as four-point underdogs and again will bring a balanced offense that scores 33 points per outing (19th). Coach Larry Fedora likes to have equal parts running and passing and this year Southern Miss has run for 186.3 yards per game and passed for 232. QB Martevious Young runs hot and cold on accuracy and looks toward explosive receiver DeAndre Brown whenever possible. Running back Damion Fletcher needs only 35 yards to be ninth all-time on the FBS career rushing list. Southern Miss is 11-2 ATS when they outgain their opponents by 0.5 or less yards a play.

Our 26th ranked bowl matchup shows Mid. Tenn. State at 0-2 vs. other bowl foes and this is just their second postseason matchup since losing to Central Michigan 31-14 three years ago. Southern Miss split four games against other bowl game participants (2-2 ATS) and is 9-8 and 8-5-1 ATS all-time. They have won and covered four of last five. The underdog has covered three of last four, with the Sun Belt 3-1 ATS.

DiammondSportsbook.com has Southern Miss favored by 3.5-points with total of 58.5 at the Superdome. The players from both teams are fired up having a college football game all by themselves on ESPN starting at 8:15 Eastern.

3DW Line – Southern Miss by 4

Trojans favored to cover in Sun Belt showdown

In the Sun Belt Conference, Troy was the expected to dominate, picked by every known preseason magazine in the country to do so. Their opening game 31-14 pasting to an ordinary MAC Bowling Green team, spoke of overconfidence and self indulgence. That was followed by being crushed by the top team in the land Florida 56-6 and a picture that looked so rosy in August, was starting to fade like flowers uncovered from an overnight frost.

Troy (2-2 SU&ATS) has gotten back on track with wins over a UAB and a 30-27 clutch effort at Arkansas State. The Trojans can make their slow start be a forgotten memory with a win against a very good SBC bunch from Middle Tennessee State.

The Blue Raiders (3-1 ATS) are off to their best start in eight seasons at 3-1 and could be the team to beat in the Sun Belt with a win at Troy. Quarterback Dwight Dasher has run the Mid. Tenn. State offense expertly in the first four games, averaging 28.5 points per game and over 400 yards total offense. This will be the Blue Raiders third consecutive road game after knocking off North Texas 37-21 as five point favorites and they are 13-5 ATS of a win.

Senior quarterback Levi Brown has offense flowing again for Troy, averaging 28.5 points the last two games. The defensive front is back to pressuring the opposing quarterback with six sacks and 26 quarterback hurries in four games. The Trojans have been turnover –prone thus far, with 10 miscues already, however are 7-0 ATS after committing three or more turnovers.

Bookmaker.com opened Troy as four-point favorites and the public has taken the most recognizable name from the Sun Belt and made them to six-point choice. It is understandable since the Trojans have either won or tied for the last four SBC crowns and if offense starts to click, they are 21-6 ATS when they score 28 or more points.

Mid. Tenn. State is a legitimate club; they won at Maryland 32-31 as more than a touchdown underdog and mauled Memphis 31-14. If Troy continues to be in a giving mood, the Blue Raiders will be ready; having forced 13 turnovers this season and they are 12-3 ATS in the month of October.

This Sun Belt matchup is known as the “World’s Largest Toga Party” and will be viewable on ESPN2 starting at 8 Eastern. Keep in mind the underdog is 1-6 ATS.