Delaware vs Middle Tennessee Picks and Predictions for Tuesday October 13 2026
The Delaware Blue Hens visit the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, with coverage on CBS Sports Network. Both programs are looking for their first Conference USA victory after disappointing performances in their most recent games. Delaware suffered a 30-14 defeat against Liberty, while Middle Tennessee was shut out 55-0 by Kansas. The Blue Hens are listed as 1.5-point favorites in an October 11 consensus market, with the total at 48.5 points. Be sure to check out our free college football picks for more predictions throughout the season.
Delaware Blue Hens Need to Find More Offensive Consistency
Delaware enters Tuesday at 2-3 overall and 0-1 in Conference USA, having lost consecutive games after an encouraging victory over Coastal Carolina. The Blue Hens opened their season by defeating Merrimack 42-7 before suffering a 35-26 loss against Vanderbilt. They responded with a 22-14 victory over Coastal Carolina but struggled considerably in their next two outings, falling 42-3 against Virginia and 30-14 against Liberty. Delaware has scored only 17 combined points during those defeats, raising questions about its ability to maintain competitive offensive production.
The Blue Hens are averaging 21.4 points per game while allowing 25.6, although those averages hide the considerable differences between their performances against stronger and weaker opponents. Delaware managed just three points against Virginia, and its struggles continued against Liberty when the offense couldn’t generate enough sustained drives to keep pace. The Blue Hens have demonstrated that they can move the football against more manageable competition, but converting opportunities into touchdowns rather than settling for limited production has become important.
Tuesday provides an opportunity against a Middle Tennessee defense that has experienced its own difficulties. The Blue Raiders allowed 55 points against Kansas and have surrendered at least 23 points in three consecutive games. Delaware also defeated Middle Tennessee 31-28 last season, providing some familiarity with its conference opponent. However, the Blue Hens will need to improve their offensive execution, particularly on third down, to capitalize on what appears to be a favorable matchup against a struggling defense.
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Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Looking to Recover From Shutout Loss
Middle Tennessee enters at 2-3 overall following one of its most disappointing performances of the season. The Blue Raiders opened with a 38-14 victory over Murray State before losing 28-26 against Marshall. A 27-20 win against Nevada provided some encouragement, but Middle Tennessee subsequently suffered a 23-13 defeat against Jacksonville State before being overwhelmed 55-0 by Kansas. The Blue Raiders have now lost consecutive games and desperately need a more productive offensive performance.
The Blue Raiders are averaging 20.8 points per game while allowing 28.0, a concerning combination for a team that has struggled to establish offensive rhythm against stronger opponents. Middle Tennessee has been particularly ineffective on third down, converting only 26.8% of its opportunities. That inability to extend drives places additional pressure on the defense, which has already demonstrated difficulty containing sustained offensive attacks. The shutout against Kansas was an extreme example, but the underlying problems were evident during the earlier loss to Jacksonville State.
Playing at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium gives Middle Tennessee an opportunity to regroup after consecutive road defeats. The Blue Raiders won their first two home contests and should benefit from facing a Delaware team experiencing similar offensive problems. However, Middle Tennessee needs to establish greater balance and avoid the extended scoring droughts that contributed to its recent losses. The Blue Raiders have enough defensive weaknesses that falling behind early could create another difficult evening.
Delaware vs Middle Tennessee Picks and Predictions
Pick: Delaware Blue Hens -1.5
I’m taking Delaware to cover the short spread. Neither team enters with particularly convincing offensive momentum, but the Blue Hens have demonstrated slightly better overall balance and face a Middle Tennessee team coming off a 55-point shutout loss. Delaware has also been more effective against comparable competition, including its victory over Coastal Carolina and competitive performance against Vanderbilt. The Blue Raiders deserve respect for playing at home, but their inability to sustain drives and convert third downs creates an opportunity for Delaware to control possession. The Blue Hens don’t need an explosive offensive performance to win this matchup. They need to avoid turnovers, establish manageable third-down situations, and take advantage of a defense that has struggled with consistency. At -1.5, Delaware is the preferred side.
Pick: Under 48.5 Points
The Under 48.5 is the total pick. Delaware has scored only 17 points during its last two games, while Middle Tennessee has managed just 13 during its consecutive defeats. Both offenses have experienced difficulty sustaining drives against stronger opponents, and neither has demonstrated enough consistent production to justify expecting a high-scoring contest. Middle Tennessee’s defensive collapse against Kansas is concerning, but Delaware hasn’t shown the offensive firepower necessary to exploit those weaknesses at the same level. Both programs also have reasons to emphasize possession and avoid the turnovers that could turn a competitive game into another frustrating defeat. A 24-20 or 27-17 result is realistic, making the Under the preferred selection.
Final Picks: Delaware Blue Hens -1.5 and Under 48.5 Points
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