Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Delaware Blue Hens Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Use Code SSWC Middle Tennessee visits Delaware at Delaware Stadium on Wednesday, with the opening kickoff set for 7:30 PM ET. Middle Tennessee is 1-5 and coming off a close 22–20 home loss on October 8 to Missouri State. Delaware is 3–3 in their first season in FBS after a 38–25 road defeat at Jacksonville State on October 15. Rivalries, tempo, trenches — NCAAF picks for Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Delaware Blue Hens.
Middle Tennessee Defense Needs Takeaways, Offense Needs Finishing
QB Nicholas Vattiato is the leader on offense (138-for-226, 1,392 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs). The passing game’s top target is Nahzae Cox (28 receptions, 353 yards, 4 TDs), who’s been the most consistent receiver. He had a strong game in their last loss to Missouri State at home on Oct. 8. Vattiato completed 30 of 42 for 267 yards and two TDs. When Middle Tennessee has moved the ball, it’s usually via quick throws to Cox with Cam’ron Lacy (19 receptions, 273 yards, 2 TDs) as the intermediate threat. The Blue Raiders have reached the red zone several times, but have come up short too many times.
The ground game has been solid, led by Jekail Middlebrook (76 carries, 433 yards, 5.7 yards per carry, and 2 TDs). If Middle Tennessee is going to control the pace, it will need Middlebrook to produce on first and second downs and keep Vattiato out of must-throw situations. Middle Tennessee is 117th in total offense (322.0 yards per game).
Defensively, the Blue Raiders have produced 14 sacks and 3 interceptions on the season. Edge linebacker Brandon Buckner leads with 3 sacks, while safety Juwon Gaston has 2 picks and 29 return yards on interceptions. Parker Hughes (46 total tackles) is the leading tackler. The group has lived on bend-don’t-break stretches, allowing an average of 379.7 yards per game, which is 84th in the country.
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Injuries: A long list of questionable players includes starting safety Juwon Gaston, corners Trevon Ferrell and John Howse IV, plus multiple offensive linemen, among several others. The list should be reviewed as close to game time as possible.
Delaware Has Strong Passing and Red-Zone Punch
Quarterback Nick Minicucci is driving the offense (152-of-236, 1,801 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs) with Kyre Duplessis (28 receptions, 430yards, 15.4 yards per reception, 2 TDs) the leading receiver. The complementary targets include: Sean Wilson (24 for 253 yards), Jake Thaw (17 for 236 yards, 1 TD), and Ja’Carree Kelly (14 for 163 yards, 1 TD). Delaware’s passing offense is its key to success, even as the protection has been shaky at times(12 sacks taken).
The run game brings is solid. Jo Silver leads with 375 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 3 TD, while Viron Ellison Jr. adds 176 yards and 3 scores; Minicucci is big at the goal line (7 rushing TDs). Delaware has totaled 763 rushing yards at 4.1 yards per carry with a long of 70 (Silver), The offense just posted 422 passing yards at Jacksonville State.
Defensively, the Blue Hens have 13 sacks and 4 interceptions. Linebacker Dillon Trainer (2.5 sacks) has been the most productive pass rusher, and safety Mysonne Pollard has 2 INTs, including a 45-yard pick-six. Gavin Moul (54 tackles) is the leading tackler. Delaware can pressure, but it has given up too many big plays.
Injuries: QB Zach Marker is out (leg), P J. Cupitt is out. A lengthy questionable list includes LB Dillon Trainer, multiple corners, several defensive linemen, and offensive linemen. If Trainer cannot play, the pass rush will suffer; if the corners are limited, Duplessis and Wilson will need to produce on offense to keep the defense off the field.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Delaware Blue Hens Pick
Middle Tennessee vs Delaware Spread Pick
- Delaware (4 Units)
With Delaware QB Minicucci distributing to a receiver corps with several options and Silver/Ellison capable of finishing drives on the ground, Delaware has more options when it comes to scoring. The Blue Hens have 13 sacks and 4 interceptions on the year, and they face a Middle Tennessee line with multiple players listed as questionable, plus a quarterback who’s been sacked 15 times (20 team sacks allowed among the QBs). MTSU hasn't run the ball successfully all season as they rank 134th with 82.8 yards per game and 127 with 3.2 yards per carry. If Delaware avoids a slow start that bit them at Jacksonville State and produces better on early downs, the matchup favors the Blue Hens at home.
Middle Tennessee vs Delaware Over/Under Pick
- Under (4 Units)
Middle Tennessee has big play possibilities, but the Blue Raiders’ best chance is a Middlebrook-led offense that uses the ground game to eat up the clock. Delaware’s defense has allowed big plays at times, yet the pass rush and tackling led by Moul can force field goals. On the other side, Delaware’s offense is productive but faces a Middle Tennessee front with 14 sacks and a secondary that has disrupted passing games (Gaston’s 2 INTs).
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