Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo Prediction
The first bowl game of the 2021 season kicks off at 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday when Middle Tennessee takes on Toledo in the Bahamas Bowl. Will the Rockets cover as 10.5-point favorites or is there a better bet on the board?
Game Snapshot
202 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (+10.5) vs. 201 Toledo Rockets (-10.5); o/u 49.5
12:00 p.m. ET, Friday, December 17, 2021
Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, Nassau, NP
TV: ESPN
Middle Tennessee State Game Notes
Middle Tennesse freshman Nick Vattiato QB completed 31-of-45 passes for 281 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in Saturday’s 24-17 loss to Old Dominion. Middle Tennessee continues to roll with freshman Vattiato (6’1″/185) as he’s making his third career start. The Blue Raiders didn’t come out with the win, but they allowed their young quarterback to prove what he could do, in result he had a career-high in attempts, completions, and passing yards. MTSU mixed it up a little with Mike DiLiello to run the option, but a majority of the passing game came from Vattiato. He made some good plays and could move the ball down the field, but unfortunately, his biggest problem was he couldn’t stay consistent, as quite a few inaccurate passes put a stop to a couple of drives. The Blue Raiders were still in this game late, and Vattiato would make his biggest play by throwing it to Jaylin Lane for the 21-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to pull within seven points. They would get the ball back with a chance to tie this game, but running back Brad Anderson would commit a costly fumble to seal it for Old Dominion. Middle Tennessee (5-6, C-USA 3-4) are still able to be bowl eligible with a win next Saturday on the road against Florida Atlantic.
Toledo Rockets Game Notes
Toledo redshirt junior RB Bryant Koback rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in Saturday’s 49-14 victory over Akron. Koback terrorized this feeble Akron defense from the jump, churning out 44 yards and a TD on the ground and adding an explosive 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown before halftime. By the final whistle, he’d posted his fifth-straight 100-yard rushing output. The 7-5 Rockets now await their bowl assignment. Whoever they get, you can bet Koback will be the fulcrum of the offensive gameplan.
Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo Betting Prediction
The Blue Raiders are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six bowl games, are 1-5 against the number in their last six neutral site games and are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games played in the month of December. The Rockets, meanwhile, are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games overall, are 16-7 against the number in their last 23 games following a win of more than 20 points and have covered in five of their last six games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
BAHAMAS BOWL PREDICTION: TOLEDO ROCKETS -10.5