Missouri State vs Delaware Picks and Predictions for Tuesday October 20 2026
Missouri State finally got itself another win last week, and I imagine that locker room needed it. The Bears beat Kennesaw State 24-21 after getting pushed around by Western Kentucky the week before. Delaware, meanwhile, went to Middle Tennessee and lost 33-30. So we’ve got two 2-4 football teams meeting Tuesday night, and somebody’s going to walk away feeling a little better about the season. The game is October 20, 2026, at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU. DraftKings had Delaware favored by three points at -110, with Missouri State getting the three at the same price. The total was 52.5. The early weather outlook has temperatures near 60 degrees, dry conditions, and winds around 9 mph. Pretty decent football weather. Check out our free college football picks for more predictions throughout the week.
Missouri State Finally Has Something To Build On
Missouri State is 2-4, and the Bears haven’t exactly been lighting up Conference USA. They lost to Western Kentucky, then came back Wednesday and beat Kennesaw State 24-21. That win was important. You can only keep telling a team it’s getting better for so long before somebody needs to see it on the scoreboard. Missouri State has lost all three of its road games, though, and that’s the part that worries me. Going into Delaware on a Tuesday night isn’t the toughest assignment in college football, but the Bears haven’t shown they can handle these trips particularly well.
Missouri State has thrown for 1,348 yards through six games and rushed for 794. That’s roughly 357 yards of offense per game. Not terrible, but not enough to cover up mistakes. The Bears have eight passing touchdowns and seven rushing scores, so they’ve been able to finish some drives. Their ground game averages 3.93 yards per carry. That’s decent, although I’d like to see them do a little more damage on first down. The defense has had its problems, and Delaware can throw the ball when it gets protection. Missouri State doesn’t need to shut the Blue Hens out. It needs to keep them from turning a couple of short passes into 50-yard gains.
The Bears have gotten useful production from their passing game, but they haven’t had one guy completely take over a game. That’s been part of the problem. When the running game stalls, the quarterback ends up having to make too many difficult throws. Wide receiver Mekhi Miller missed the Kennesaw State game with an undisclosed injury, and his status is worth checking before Tuesday. The Bears need their receiving options available against Delaware. They also need to avoid giving away possessions. In a game with a three-point spread, one careless turnover could be the difference.
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Delaware Keeps Finding Ways To Lose Close Games
Delaware is 2-4, and the Blue Hens have dropped three straight. They lost 42-3 to Virginia, 30-14 to Liberty, and 33-30 to Middle Tennessee last Tuesday. That last one probably hurts the most. Delaware had enough offense to win, and still came home with another loss. The Blue Hens are 2-1 at home, so at least they’ve been better in Newark. They beat Merrimack 42-7 and Coastal Carolina 22-14 earlier in the season. But they’ve also had trouble putting together four good quarters, and that’s what keeps getting them beaten.
Delaware has thrown for 1,626 yards through six games, compared with only 564 rushing. That’s a pretty big difference. The Blue Hens are averaging just 3.12 yards per carry, and that’s not going to scare anybody. They’ve been relying on the passing game, which can work when the quarterback has time. But it also means opponents know what’s coming. Delaware has thrown seven interceptions and allowed 19 sacks. That’s a lot of lost plays. Missouri State’s defense isn’t anything special, but the Bears should be able to get some pressure if Delaware keeps putting itself in obvious passing situations. The Blue Hens need to run the ball better, and I don’t know if that’s going to happen in four days.
Tyler Bell threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns against Middle Tennessee, completing 22 of 36 passes. That’s a good afternoon, and Delaware certainly needed it. But he also threw an interception, and the Blue Hens couldn’t finish the job. Nick Minicucci has been dealing with an injury, which has forced Delaware to adjust its quarterback plans. That’s something I’d keep an eye on before kickoff. The receiving group has shown it can make plays, but the offense is still too dependent on the pass. Delaware needs to get ahead and make Missouri State chase the game. If the Blue Hens fall behind early, they’re going to have to throw even more than usual.
Missouri State vs Delaware Picks and Predictions
Missouri State +3 (-110)
I’m taking the three points with Missouri State. I don’t love either team here, and that’s probably the best way to describe this game. Delaware has the home-field advantage, and the Blue Hens can throw the football. That’s enough to make them dangerous. But they haven’t been running the ball worth a darn, and they’ve been turning it over too much. Missouri State just got a win, and I think the Bears can keep this close by running the ball and making Delaware work for its points. The Blue Hens might win outright. Wouldn’t surprise me. But three points in a matchup between two 2-4 teams feels useful. I’ll take Missouri State and the field goal.
Under 52.5 Points (-110)
I’m going under 52.5. Delaware scored 30 last week, so I know the Blue Hens can move the ball. But they also managed only three against Virginia and 14 against Liberty. Missouri State scored 24 against Kennesaw State, and I don’t see the Bears suddenly putting up 40 on the road. Both teams have had trouble finishing drives, and neither running game has been particularly explosive. The one thing that bothers me is Delaware’s passing offense. If the Blue Hens start hitting big plays, this total could get away from us. But I think Missouri State will try to slow things down, run the football, and keep Delaware’s offense on the sideline. Something like 24-21 or 27-21 works for me. Give me the under.
Final Picks: Missouri State +3 (-110) and Under 52.5 Points (-110)
This article was completed on October 18, 2026. Betting lines, injury reports, and weather forecasts may change before Tuesday’s kickoff.
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