Middle Tennessee State vs San Diego State Odds, Picks, Predictions (12/24/22)

Middle Tennessee State faces San Diego State in the Hawai’i Bowl on Christmas Eve. Middle Tennessee State beat Florida International the last time they played in a close game. On the other side, San Diego State lost to Air Force the last time they played in a close game too. This should be an interesting bowl game matchup. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Middle Tennessee State vs. San Diego State Odds

San Diego State is a 7-point favorite in the Hawai’i Bowl against Middle Tennessee State and is at -260 on the money line. The over/under is also at 48.5. San Diego State being this much of a favorite doesn’t make much sense because they are very similar to Middle Tennessee State. The over/under, however, does make sense because these defenses should step up on top of the offenses being around average. This spread should come down a bit before kickoff on Christmas Eve.

Middle Tennessee State vs. San Diego State Prediction & Pick

The pick: Middle Tennessee State +7

Middle Tennessee State is not seven points worse than this year’s San Diego State. The Blue Raiders had a decent year this year, but really got into the national spotlight when they beat the Miami Hurricanes very soundly on the road. They are decent on offense, but haven’t been great on defense for the year. They average 29 points and 390 yards on offense, while they are giving up 413 yards a game on defense. The biggest name to know for the Blue Raiders is Chase Cunningham at quarterback, who’s had a few games where he’s gone off through the air and torched opposing defenses throughout the Blue Raiders’ schedule. The San Diego State Aztecs, on the other side, started the year badly, but bounced back and got into a bowl game in large part due to their defense. The Aztecs played great defense all year and it bailed them out a lot when their offense couldn’t get much going multiple times this year. They averaged 21 points and 322 total yards a game on offense, but then gave up an average of 20 points and 335 total yards a game on defense. San Diego State has a spark on offense with their running game, but the offense was still operating at a struggle for some of the year. Middle Tennessee State has more of an explosive aspect on offense compared to the Aztecs, but the Aztec defense might be the best defense the Blue Raiders play all year. Take the Blue Raiders to cover this spread and make this game come down to the wire in Hawaii.

Middle Tennessee State vs. San Diego State Key Matchups

Can San Diego State contain Chase Cunningham? Can Middle Tennessee State slow down Jordan Byrd?

Chase Cunningham vs the San Diego State Secondary

Chase Cunningham has had a good year for the Blue Raiders, but he’s been streaky. He has 2,920 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, and he has a 67% completion percentage on the year. He threw for 448 passing yards and five touchdowns in his best game of the year, which was against Florida Atlantic. San Diego State is very good against the pass and allows 207 passing yards a game, which is a tough matchup for Cunningham. He needs to have a big game here in order for the Blue Raiders to win here.

Jordan Byrd vs the Middle Tennessee State Front Seven

Jordan Byrd has been very solid for the Aztecs this year at the running back position. He has 91 carries, 389 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns on the year. His best game was against Toledo earlier in the year when he had 115 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on the year. The Blue Raiders allow 122 rushing yards a game which is a decent matchup for Byrd. They need to rely on Byrd to win this game because the passing game for the Aztecs isn’t as good as their running game.