The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, December 3rd, 7:00 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Cajun Field (31,000) -- Lafayette, Louisiana. Television: ESPN+. Home Record: MT 4-1, ULL 3-1. Away Record: MT 1-5, ULL 2-5. Neutral Record: MT 0-0, ULL 0-0. Conference Record: MT 3-3, ULL 4-2. Series Record: UL-Lafayette leads, 5-4.
GAME NOTES: The red-hot Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will try to close out their regular season on a high note when they take on the UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns at Cajun Field. The Blue Raiders played extremely well of late and come into this matchup with a three-game winning streak. The last time MTU was on the court the team grabbed a thrilling, 52-13 victory over North Texas. With the win over North Texas, the Blue Raiders pushed their conference ledger to 3-3. Unfortunately the Blue Raiders have struggled on the road this season, losing five of their six matchups outside of Murfreesboro. As for the Cajuns, they head into this matchup in the midst of a three-game slide. The last time ULL was on the field the team suffered an embarrassing, 48-3 setback to Troy. The loss dropped the Cajuns' league ledger to 4-2 on the season. The Cajuns have won four of the last five matchup against Middle Tennessee and now own a slim 5-4 lead in the all-time series between the two schools on the gridiron.
The Blue Raiders have been mediocre at best offensively, racking up a pedestrian 343.1 total ypg, which has led to an average 22.4 ppg. The majority of the team's success has come from the pass, as MT is producing 241.6 ypg through the air, and out of the 29 touchdowns scored by this unit, 16 have come via the pass. Joe Craddock has done a commendable job under center for the Blue Raiders, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,435 yards. The quarterback comes into this matchup with 13 touchdowns and only six interceptions. In the recent contest with North Texas, the Blue Raiders tallied 489 total yards, and it was good enough for MT to roll to a convincing victory. Craddock had a solid showing, throwing for 251 yards and one score on 19-of-31 passing. Phillip Tanner, who has been inconsistent throughout the season, was the main source of production, as the tailback rushed for 159 yards and five touchdowns.
The lack of support from the offense has wasted an otherwise strong effort from the Blue Raider defense. MT is allowing 363.7 total ypg, but that has led to just 23.4 ppg. The main problem for this unit has come against the run, as opponents are churning out 153.6 ypg, and out of the 31 touchdowns surrendered by this defense, 18 have come on the ground. Fortunately the defense has forced 22 turnovers on the year, but pressuring the quarterback has been an issue, as the team has collected just 23 sacks. The last time MT was on the field, the offense scored 52 points, giving the defense more than enough points to work the team into a win. The defense surrendered 363 total yards to North Texas, but the unit was able to force three turnovers, while also recording five sacks.
The Ragin' Cajun offense relies heavily on its ability to run the ball, as the team heads into this matchup averaging a whopping 274.5 rushing ypg. Out of the 44 touchdowns scored by this unit, 30 have come via the run. Tyrell Fenroy has been one of the top tailbacks in the nation and currently has 1,292 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season. Quarterback Michael Desormeaux has also contributed to the ground attack, rushing for 1,001 yards and five TDs. Unfortunately the signal caller has struggled with his arm, throwing for just 1,633 yards and nine touchdowns against 11 interceptions. The last time ULL was on the field the team suffered a terrible 45-point loss to Troy. The Cajuns finished with just 255 total yards, but the majority of the damage was once again done by the ground game. However, Fenroy only rushed for 23 yards, while Desormeaux led the way with 136 yards on 9.1 ypc.
Defensively the Cajuns have been beaten and battered throughout the year, as the team is surrendered 431.5 total ypg, which has led to 34.2 ppg. The unit has struggled against the run and pass, allowing 217.5 ypg on the ground, while surrendering another 214.0 ypg through the air. The defense has only forced 17 turnovers on the year, while record just 17 sacks as well. The last time ULL was on the field, the defense was embarrassed by Troy, as the Trojans tallied 459 yards and 48 points. The majority of the damage came on the ground, as the team was gashed for 391 yards and four touchdowns. Antwyn Zanders led the way with 10 tackles in the loss, while Gerren Blount added nine stops to go along with one fumble recovery.
The Cajuns' ground game will definitely find some running room in this matchup against MT, but the Blue Raiders are solid defensively and should do more than enough on that side of the football to keep the team in the win column.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Middle Tennessee 34, UL-Lafayatte 28