Middle Tennessee at Kennesaw State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Middle Tennessee logo Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Kennesaw State OwlsKennesaw State logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium - Kennesaw, GA  (Conference USA)

 
Blue Raiders (1 - 2) (1 - 2 - 0)
Coach Derek Mason (3 - 9)
Avg Score : 13 - 30 (12 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#118)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
KENN 3rd straight Home Game
KENN is playing their 5th straight game
MTSU is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Kennesaw State -5.5   (SP+ KENN -7)

Projected Score: MTSU: 18 - KENN: 23 (41)
KENN Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
MTSU Travel: 162 miles, 1 hrs behind
Owls (1 - 2) (1 - 2 - 0)
Coach Jerry Mack (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 15 - 26 (27 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.2 - 7.8 (#112)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
 
Middle Tennessee's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Middle Tennessee vs Austin Peay-14.553.5L 14 - 34UN
Sat 9/6 Middle Tennessee at Wisconsin+28.545.5L 10 - 42ON
Sat 9/13 Middle Tennessee at Nevada+9.050.0W 14 - 13UY
Sat 9/20 Middle Tennessee vs Marshall+2.546.5
Sat 9/27 Middle Tennessee at Kennesaw State+5.5
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/8 Middle Tennessee vs Missouri State+1.5
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/22 Middle Tennessee at Delaware+16
Wed 10/29 Middle Tennessee vs Jacksonville State+6.5
Sat 11/8 Middle Tennessee vs Florida International+11.5
Sat 11/15 Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky+20.5
Sat 11/22 Middle Tennessee vs Sam Houston+1
Sat 11/29 Middle Tennessee at New Mexico State+10.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1

Predictions for Middle Tennessee's Schedule
Kennesaw State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Kennesaw State at Wake Forest+17.551.5L 9 - 10UY
Sat 9/6 Kennesaw State at Indiana+35.551.5L 9 - 56ON
Sat 9/13 Kennesaw State vs Merrimack-17.544.5W 27 - 13UN
Sat 9/20 Kennesaw State vs Arkansas State+6.056.5
Sat 9/27 Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee-5.5
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/9 Kennesaw State vs Louisiana Tech+9
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/21 Kennesaw State vs Florida International+13.5
Tue 10/28 Kennesaw State vs UTEP+9
Sat 11/8 Kennesaw State at New Mexico State+7.5
Sat 11/15 Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State+8.5
Sat 11/22 Kennesaw State vs Missouri State-1.5
Sat 11/29 Kennesaw State at Liberty+19

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kennesaw State's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MTSU#127 (-.01)36% (119)12.741% (88)2.86 (83)6133% (119)1881.89 (129)#120 (.29)42% (86)29.736% (45)51% (123)4.58 (109)41.70.71.3
KENN#110 (.08)30% (133)1531% (130)2.34 (121)14029% (131)1762.71 (122)#114 (.25)49% (123)26.344% (95)55% (131)4.21 (95)6810
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MTSU#107 (.13)39% (105)38% (114)2.82 (104)9140% (83)2613 (128)#129 (.32)49% (130)50% (124)49% (127)4.61 (126)61.31.60.8
KENN#134 (-.04)31% (133)31% (134)2.16 (134)11632% (129)1363.5 (103)#93 (.21)46% (114)45% (91)48% (122)4.15 (102)46.31.51



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MTSU Offense312.71236%1.890.717249611882.337%61%41%33%17%-.01
KENN Defense326.31348.7%4.210 - - - - - 57%43%44%55%11%.25
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MTSU Defense329.727.542.4%4.581.3 - - - - - 58%42%36%51%16%.29
KENN Offense3152730.2%2.711163161401763.953%47%31%29%21%.08

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Middle Tennessee327:1716.728%29%541.70.71.37.32031
Kennesaw State326:0516.336%50%868108.73024.3
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MTSU Offense337% (129)41% (88)26.760.72.31 (127)-.06 (122)2.86 (83)40% (133)11% (99)0.99 (58)
KENN Defense357% (116)44% (95) - - - - .26 (121)3.04 (96)75% (80)7% (110)1.22 (115)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MTSU Defense358% (118)36% (45) - - - - .1 (83)2.95 (86)86% (112)12% (42)1.02 (83)
KENN Offense353% (57)31% (130)35.71403.93 (95).02 (103)2.34 (121)50% (124)15% (131)1.22 (26)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MTSU Offense361% (9)33% (119)21.33818858.84 (72)2 (60).04 (124)1.5 (83)35% (111)29% (90).38 (59)7% (104)2.2 (44)
KENN Defense343% (23)55% (131) - - - - - - 0.24 (76)1.2 (8)22% (134)19% (23)-.15 (6)4% (113)1.9 (56)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MTSU Defense342% (21)51% (123) - - - - - - 3 (28).56 (127)1.7 (113)35% (42)34% (104).47 (110)4% (110)2.1 (95)
KENN Offense347% (78)29% (131)15.328.3175.76.211.51 (123)2 (60).15 (101)2 (8)49% (136)33% (54).49 (42)6% (79)2.1 (56)

Middle Tennessee's Power Ratings
Middle Tennessee's Power Rating: -20.97 #132
Middle Tennessee's Offense Rating: 1.97 #122
Middle Tennessee's Defense Rating: 23.25 #129
2025 Talent Rating: 462.00 #124
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Middle Tennessee's 2025 Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2
Middle Tennessee's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -23.0 #133
Middle Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 13.1 #133
Middle Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 36.1 #121

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Middle Tennessee: -20.97   Kennesaw State: -16.45

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Middle Tennessee: -23.0   Kennesaw State: -16.5




Kennesaw State's Power Ratings
Kennesaw State's Power Rating: -16.45 #134
Kennesaw State's Offense Rating: -0.78 #136
Kennesaw State's Defense Rating: 21.37 #122
2025 Talent Rating: 358.00 #129
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Kennesaw State's 2025 Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Kennesaw State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -16.5 #123
Kennesaw State's Offense SP+ Rating: 12.6 #135
Kennesaw State's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.1 #85

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Middle Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 12.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 12
Defense: 29.7 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.5

Middle Tennessee's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record on Road: 1 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Kennesaw State 23
Middle Tennessee 18


Total Points: 41

Kennesaw State Scoring
Offense: 15 PPG
Offense at Home: 27
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 13

Kennesaw State's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record at home: 1 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/15Middle Tennessee14Kennesaw State5Middle TennesseeMiddle Tennessee -8.5Middle Tennessee50.0Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kennesaw State000 Overs
Middle Tennessee111 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#132) Middle Tennessee Info
Power Rating: -20.97 #132
Offense Rating: 1.97 #122
Defense Rating: 23.25 #129
Overall SP+ Rating: -23.0 #133
Offense SP+ Rating: 13.1 #133
Defense SP+ Rating: 36.1 #121
Talent Rating: 462.00 #124
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 61%, Run: 37%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 36%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 1.89 PPO
Bad Run Success 41%
Awful Pass Success 33%
Awful OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 42%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.58 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 36%
Awful Pass Def Success 51%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

Middle Tennessee has lost 1 straight
Middle Tennessee has won 1 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 1 - 1 (1 - 1 - 0 vs Spread )

Middle Tennessee Notes
(8/30) 153 yds of Off vs Austin Peay? Bottom 5 Off
(7/5) QB Vattiato 3rd yr starting, 2nd under OC Reeder
(5/19) RB added Rickey Hunt (Ohio/Tulsa) after spring
(5/19) WR rebuild, 4 portal WR (all P4), 2 TE
(5/19) OC Reeder wants physical Off? Pass heavy LY
(5/19) Def front 7 has some nice pieces, DBs huge ?
(3/26) OL meh LY, 4/5 back. T's poor, 3 portal adds
(3/26) Def awful LY, must trust depth, only 1 portal
(3/26) Mason good fit, year 2 for staff. Could bowl

Middle Tennessee Highlights
Middle Tennessee has a great TO Margin (#28)
Middle Tennessee defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#28)

Middle Tennessee Deficiencies
Middle Tennessee has a really bad Offense
Middle Tennessee Can Not Run the Ball (#133)
Middle Tennessee offense is really bad (#119)
Middle Tennessee Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#125)
Middle Tennessee offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#129)
Middle Tennessee pass game is really bad (#119)
Middle Tennessee offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Middle Tennessee gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#102)
Middle Tennessee has a bad red zone defense (#109)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatKENNMTSU
OverallOver#108#105
OffenseOff#109#112
DefenseDef#92#68
Special TeamsST#95#100
PassingPass#105#84
RushingRush#79#87
Run BlockRBLK#115#108
Pass BlockPBLK#110#121
Route RunningWR Rt#93#104
TacklingTkl#96#28
Run DefenseR Def#77#47
Pass Rush DefPRush#83#90
Coverage DefCov#102#77

Previous Matchups
Middle Tennessee beat Kennesaw State last year (14-5)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: MTSU | KENN
Depth Chart: MTSU | KENN
Rosters: MTSU | KENN
(#134) Kennesaw State Info
Power Rating: -16.45 #134
Offense Rating: -0.78 #136
Defense Rating: 21.37 #122
Overall SP+ Rating: -16.5 #123
Offense SP+ Rating: 12.6 #135
Defense SP+ Rating: 29.1 #85
Talent Rating: 358.00 #129
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #101
Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 30%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 2.71 PPO
Awful Run Success 31%
Awful Pass Success 29%
Poor OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 49%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.21 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 44%
Awful Pass Def Success 55%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Kennesaw State has lost 1 straight
Kennesaw State has lost 1 straight at Home
Record at home: 1 - 0 (0 - 1 - 0 vs Spread)

Kennesaw State Notes
(8/16) QB D. Williams (GSU) will start, S Williams #2
(4/7) WR Benyard best on team. Rest are JAG-
(4/7) RB Bennett (Rice) looks good, big FCS RB '23
(3/24) RB complete rebuild. 2 portals, meh
(3/24) OL 2/5 back, awful LY. 2 exp'd portals.
(3/24) Def awful, return a lot. 6 portal adds, 4 DBs
(3/24) HC Mack was Tenn RB coach, NFL exp
(3/24) Year 2 in FBS will be rough, upset Liberty LY.

Kennesaw State Highlights
Kennesaw State is Undefeated at Home

Kennesaw State offense is explosive (#5)
Kennesaw State Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Kennesaw State defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#)

Kennesaw State Deficiencies
Kennesaw State has a really bad Offense
Kennesaw State Commits a Lot of Penalties (#118)
Kennesaw State offense is really bad (#133)
Kennesaw State Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#134)
Kennesaw State offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#122)
Kennesaw State run game is really bad (#130)
Kennesaw State pass game is really bad (#131)
Kennesaw State has a bad defense (#123)


  
Middle Tennessee's OC Bodie Reeder
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Nick Vattiato6211156%548424.9
Roman Gagliano11100%5005.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jekail Middlebrook3314204.342
Rickey Hunt166704.215
Stanley Anderson-Lofton3903.015
Cam'Ron Lacy1505.05
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nahzae Cox14170312.137
Myles Butler1211609.723
Jekail Middlebrook118707.912
Cam'Ron Lacy563012.642

View Middle Tennessee's Full Roster
Middle Tennessee's DC Brian Stewart
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Parker Hughes212011
Muaaz Byard172000
Shakai Woods133100
Anthony Bynum131010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zeion Simpson-Smith62200
Damonte Smith95100
Brandon Buckner122100
John Howse IV81100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jackson Lowe101002
Parker Hughes212011
Abdul Muhammad60001

Kennesaw State's OC Mitch Militello
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dexter Williams II (Tr)225242%236014.5
Amari Odom223073%284119.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Coleman Bennett (Tr)3213914.326
Alexander Diggs2711804.425
Dexter Williams II (Tr)208614.316
Amari Odom172711.612
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Gabriel Benyard12208117.347
Christian Moss11122011.125
Lyndon Ravare (Tr)7106015.138
Tykeem Wallace333011.019

View Kennesaw State's Full Roster
Kennesaw State's DC Marc Mattioli
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Baron Hopson223000
Caleb Offord (Tr)162003
Milon Jones162010
Garland Benyard141010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elijah Hill42210
Roderick Daniels (Tr)51101
JeRico Washington Jr.92101
Kody Jones (Tr)61101
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Offord (Tr)162003
Roderick Daniels (Tr)51101
JeRico Washington Jr.92101