Conference USA continues its midweek schedule with two games Wednesday, starting with Kennesaw State visiting Middle Tennessee before Jacksonville State travels to New Mexico State. The Blue Raiders enter at 4-3 overall and 2-1 in league play, while the Owls are 0-3 in conference action and have lost six straight since a season-opening win over West Georgia.
Kennesaw State's offense has struggled mightily in conference play, averaging just 5.33 yards per play. Quarterback Rickie Collins, a Syracuse transfer, leads the team in rushing with 72 carries for 4.1 yards per attempt and has thrown five interceptions against four touchdown passes. Defensively, the Owls rank 117th nationally in points per drive allowed and 133rd in net success rate, according to BCFToys.
Middle Tennessee has won two straight games, both by three-point margins, and averages 6.39 yards per play in conference games. However, the Blue Raiders convert only 25.64 percent of third downs, the second-worst rate in the conference ahead of only UTEP. The defense has allowed nearly seven yards per play against league opponents.
Despite Middle Tennessee's defensive struggles and narrow recent victories, the matchup represents a step down in class for the Blue Raiders after facing tougher competition. Kennesaw State enters a softer portion of its schedule but has shown little ability to generate offense or stop opponents consistently during its losing streak.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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