Sam Houston at Middle Tennessee - 2025 Matchup Preview
Sam Houston logo Sam Houston Bearkats at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersMiddle Tennessee logo
Saturday, November 22nd 2025 (12:00 AM EST)
Johnny Red"" Floyd Stadium"" - Murfreesboro, TN  (Conference USA)

 
Bearkats (0 - 3) (0 - 3 - 0)
Coach Phil Longo (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 22 - 39 (22 - 39 on Road)
Record Prediction: 2.5 - 9.5 (#132)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 8)
MTSU is playing their 5th straight game
SHSU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Sam Houston -1   (SP+ SHSU -4.5)

Projected Score: SHSU: 27 - MTSU: 26 (53)
SHSU Win prob: 48% | Cover: 46%
SHSU Travel: 637 miles
Blue Raiders (1 - 2) (1 - 2 - 0)
Coach Derek Mason (3 - 9)
Avg Score : 13 - 30 (14 - 34 @ Home)
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)
 
Sam Houston's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 Sam Houston at Western Kentucky+9.560.5L 24 - 41ON
Fri 8/29 Sam Houston vs UNLV+13.558.5L 21 - 38ON
Sat 9/6 Sam Houston at Hawai'i+7.047.5L 20 - 37ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Sam Houston at Texas+40.551.5
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/2 Sam Houston at New Mexico State+7
Thu 10/9 Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State+3
Wed 10/15 Sam Houston vs UTEP+9
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/28 Sam Houston at Louisiana Tech+14
Sat 11/8 Sam Houston at Oregon State+18.5
Sat 11/15 Sam Houston vs Delaware+7.5
Sat 11/22 Sam Houston at Middle Tennessee-1
Sat 11/29 Sam Houston vs Florida International+8.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 7, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 3, Poor: 0

Predictions for Sam Houston's Schedule
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

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
SHSU#123 (.05)37% (111)21.738% (105)2.79 (87)13637% (108)1853.14 (113)#85 (.16)44% (103)38.740% (72)49% (118)4.38 (100)6811.7
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
 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
SHSU#115 (.1)39% (107)41% (100)3.18 (44)18038% (105)1682.97 (129)#31 (.11)42% (70)47% (105)37% (27)3.84 (75)37.91.22.1
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



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SHSU Offense321.72237.4%3.141183211361854.244%55%38%37%19%.05
MTSU Defense329.73442.4%4.581.3 - - - - - 58%42%36%51%16%.29
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SHSU Defense338.73944.5%4.381.7 - - - - - 44%56%40%49%16%.16
MTSU Offense312.71436%1.890.717249611882.337%61%41%33%17%-.01

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
Sam Houston328:0917.714%30%76811.752127.4
Middle Tennessee327:1716.728%29%541.70.71.37.32031
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
SHSU Offense344% (103)38% (105)32.3135.74.24 (79).06 (93)2.79 (87)73% (66)12% (114)1.13 (39)
MTSU Defense358% (118)36% (45) - - - - .1 (83)2.95 (86)86% (112)12% (42)1.02 (83)
 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
SHSU Defense344% (30)40% (72) - - - - -.08 (24)2.97 (89)69% (66)9% (80)0.68 (10)
MTSU Offense337% (129)41% (88)26.760.72.31 (127)-.06 (122)2.86 (83)40% (133)11% (99)0.99 (58)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SHSU Offense355% (37)37% (108)18.73118569.92 (102)3 (92).07 (121)1.3 (112)40% (130)22% (116)-.07 (131)7% (110)1.7 (105)
MTSU Defense342% (21)51% (123) - - - - - - 3 (28).56 (127)1.7 (113)35% (42)34% (104).47 (110)4% (110)2.1 (95)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SHSU Defense356% (108)49% (118) - - - - - - 2 (56).36 (110)1.6 (89)31% (90)36% (116).17 (47)7% (45)1.8 (52)
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)

Sam Houston's Power Ratings
Sam Houston's Power Rating: -18.55 #125
Sam Houston's Offense Rating: -0.11 #132
Sam Houston's Defense Rating: 18.43 #113
2025 Talent Rating: 476.00 #121
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Sam Houston's 2025 Expected Record: 2.5 - 9.5
Sam Houston's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -18.6 #126
Sam Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 16.9 #126
Sam Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.3 #117

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Sam Houston: -18.55   Middle Tennessee: -19.485

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Sam Houston: -18.6   Middle Tennessee: -23.0




Middle Tennessee's Power Ratings
Middle Tennessee's Power Rating: -19.485 #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


Sam Houston Scoring
Offense: 21.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 22
Defense: 38.7 PPG
Defense on Road: 39

Sam Houston's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 3
Record vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Sam Houston 27
Middle Tennessee 26


Total Points: 53

Middle Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 12.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 14
Defense: 29.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 34

Middle Tennessee's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202311/25Sam Houston23Middle Tennessee20Sam HoustonMiddle Tennessee -3.5Sam Houston49.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Middle Tennessee000 Overs
Sam Houston111 Unders

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

(#125) Sam Houston Info
Power Rating: -18.55 #125
Offense Rating: -0.11 #132
Defense Rating: 18.43 #113
Overall SP+ Rating: -18.6 #126
Offense SP+ Rating: 16.9 #126
Defense SP+ Rating: 35.3 #117
Talent Rating: 476.00 #121
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Expected Record: 2.5 - 9.5

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 37%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.14 PPO
Poor Run Success 38%
Poor Pass Success 37%
Poor OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 44%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.38 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 40%
Awful Pass Def Success 49%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Sam Houston has lost 10 straight
Sam Houston has lost 6 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 0 - 2 (0 - 2 - 0 vs Spread )

Sam Houston Notes
(8/23) QB1? Watson running air raid likely not good
(7/13) Home games 70 miles off campus (Shell Energy)
(7/11) QB Mettauer big arm, was Longo's pick at Wisc
(7/11) Over Bet Watch. Def down, Pass Off up
(6/6) Not a fan of HC Phil Long hire at all.
(6/6) Could be a bottom Def in CFB, DBs are JUCOs
(5/23) SHSU was 6-0 in 1 score games LY
(3/26) QB Watson JAG w/ mobility. No depth exp
(3/26) RB complete rebuild. 2 portals inc. Green (IU)
(3/26) WR some exp, replacing a lot. 2 portal adds

Sam Houston Highlights

Sam Houston Deficiencies
Sam Houston offense is really bad (#111)
Sam Houston Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#112)
Sam Houston offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#113)
Sam Houston run game is really bad (#105)
Sam Houston pass game is really bad (#108)
Sam Houston offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Sam Houston Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Sam Houston has a bad defense (#103)
Sam Houston has a bad red zone defense (#100)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatMTSUSHSU
OverallOver#105#98
OffenseOff#112#110
DefenseDef#68#71
Special TeamsST#100#43
PassingPass#84#104
RushingRush#87#103
Run BlockRBLK#108#91
Pass BlockPBLK#121#96
Route RunningWR Rt#104#103
TacklingTkl#28#96
Run DefenseR Def#47#48
Pass Rush DefPRush#90#59
Coverage DefCov#77#86

Previous Matchups
Sam Houston beat Middle Tennessee in 2023 (23-20)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Johnny Red"" Floyd Stadium""
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: SHSU | MTSU
Depth Chart: SHSU | MTSU
Rosters: SHSU | MTSU
(#132) Middle Tennessee Info
Power Rating: -19.485 #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 7 straight
Middle Tennessee has lost 5 straight at Home
Record at home: 0 - 1 (0 - 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 has a really bad Offense at Home
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 Defense Gives up a Lot of Points at Home
Middle Tennessee gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#102)
Middle Tennessee has a bad red zone defense (#109)


  
Sam Houston's OC Zack Patterson
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hunter Watson305258%310016.0
Mabrey Mettauer (Tr)203165%177125.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Hunter Watson2410824.555
Landan Brown139417.253
Elijah Green (Tr)247603.211
Alton McCaskill (Tr)117216.552
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Elijah Green (Tr)11124111.335
Grady O'Neill (Tr)665010.829
Malik Phillips660010.022
Tim Burns Jr.159159.059

View Sam Houston's Full Roster
Sam Houston's DC Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
CJ Brown (Tr)211003
Emon Allen183001
Antavious Fish (Tr)170000
Chatavies Johnson170000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
AJ Edwards163102
JaMair Diaz (Tr)131110
Tokyo Gordon122100
Chauncey Chidi112100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
CJ Brown (Tr)211003
Cecil Powell (Tr)120003
AJ Edwards163102

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