Middle Tennessee State vs. Wisconsin Prediction and Picks - September 6, 2025
The Wisconsin Badgers will host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Camp Randall Stadium, and we have you ready to go with the Blue Raiders vs Badgers prediction.
Kickoff is slated for 4:00 PM Eastern, as the Badgers look to blank their second straight opponent this season. Read on for the Reds vs Pirates prediction and more free NCAAF picks.
Blue Raiders Upset In Opener
Middle Tennessee State struggled to get the offense going as they went 0-12 on 3rd down in week one. The Blue Raiders were also stagnant on the ground, generating just two yards per carry. Nicholas Vattiato led the air attack, and he threw well, logging two touchdowns, but finished with an average completion rate under three yards. The defense logged three sacks.
Middle Tennessee State is averaging 14.0 points per game, which lands them at 130th in the league. The Blue Raiders have struggled to move the ball this season, and their inability to convert on 3rd down has proved costly on multiple drives. They have been better inside the 20s, with a conversion rate of 86.2%, which is good for 59th. The Blue Raiders have done most of their work through the air this season, but are tallying roughly 100 air yards per game and are generating just two yards per tote. Both metrics rank in the bottom 25. Vattiato has been able to complete passes at a high rate, and he tossed for two scores in the opener. The Blue Raiders do sit in the bottom half of the league in sacks allowed, and if Vattatio is pressured, he could make some ill-advised throws here.
Offensive Leaders:
Passing: Nicholas Vattiato – 104 yards per game
Rushing: Jekail Middlebrook – 44 yards per game
Receiving: Nahzae Cox – 50 yards per game
On the defensive end of the field, Middle Tennessee State is allowing 34 points per game, which lands them at 74th in the league. Middle Tennessee State is allowing right around five yards per play, and they are sitting in the top 60 when it comes to 3rd down defense. The Blue Raiders have done a decent job getting off the field on 3rd down, but they really excel in the red zone, sitting 5th in the country with a 63.6% conversion rate. The run defense sits top 50, allowing four yards per run, but it is the pass defense that has really shined. The Blue Raiders are sitting top 30 in opponent completion rate, but the average depth per completion is over seven yards. The pass rush has demonstrated it can get in the backfield. Expect them to do so here.
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Badgers Blank Miami of Ohio
Wisconsin was bolstered by its defense in week one as it allowed just north of 100 yards and held Miami of Ohio to 0-9 on 3rd down. The offense generated 353 yards, with Danny O'Neil leading the pass attack as eight players logged at least one catch. Dillon Jones led the ground attack with over five yards per carry. The defense finished with three sacks and two interceptions. Both interceptions came from Preston Zachman.
The Badgers have started the season strong, averaging 17.0 points per game and their opponent scoreless in week one. Their offense has been effective, particularly in the running game, where they average 3.8 yards per carry. They accumulated 195 rushing yards in their season opener, showcasing their traditional ground game prowess. In the passing game, O'Neil threw for 141 yards with a completion rate of 56.3%.
Offensive Leaders:
Passing: Danny O'Neil – 120 yards per game
Rushing: Dilin Jones – 73 yards per game
Receiving: Vinny Anthony II – 57 yards per game
Defensively, the Badgers have been dominant, not allowing any points in their season opener. They limited their opponents to just 58 rushing yards and 126 total yards. They held the RedHawks to 0-9 on 3rd down, and the defense allowed under 40 ground yards. Even if the game was a cupcake for the Badgers, they still forced two turnovers and logged three sacks.
MTSU vs. Wisconsin Pick
Spread Pick for Middle Tennessee State vs. Wisconsin
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,502.00 |
| 2 |  Pro Sports Picks | +1,421.00 |
| 3 |  Brick Haus Sports | +634.00 |
| 4 |  David Delano | +492.00 |
| 5 |  Michael Briggs | +355.00 |
Wisconsin -28.5 (4 Units)
The Badgers' defense should continue to shine here as Middle Tennessee State was held to 14 points against an FCS opponent. The Badgers' ground game should also be able to keep moving the ball as Wisconsin pulls away. Middle Tennessee State failed to convert on any 3rd downs last week, and we should expect that trend to continue here.
Wisconsin ML
Over/Under MTSU vs. Wisconsin
Under 46 (4 Units)
It isn't out of the question to expect Wisconsin to blank the Blue Raiders here. In any case, we shouldn't expect Middle Tennessee State to carry its water, from an offensive perspective. The Blue Raiders' pass rush has been effective, and with O'Neil already showing he can be forceful with the football, we may expect to see some drives cut short here. Look for the Badgers' defense to set the pace and the tone in what is expected to be a low-scoring affair here.
Under 46
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