For its first season in the FBS, Missouri State has been impressive.
The Bears are 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the Conference USA standings. Two of their losses, USC and SMU, were against Power Four programs. Their only other loss of the season was a five-point game against one of the favorites in CUSA, Western Kentucky.
Otherwise, Missouri State has played at a high level. The Bears found a way to defeat Marshall earlier this season, decisively beat FCS UT Martin, and have won their last two games on the road against Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State.
Missouri State is ineligible for the CUSA Championship due to rules for programs moving up from the FCS, but the Bears have still been tough for opponents in their league.
And they likely won’t be an easy team for FIU to take on. The Panthers are 3-4 and 1-2 in CUSA in their first year with Willie Simmons as their head coach. They’ve lost three of their last four games, and all of those losses were decided by 19 points or more. But they did beat WKU 25-6, so maybe FIU can play like it did in that matchup against Missouri State.
FIU vs. Missouri State Betting Odds
Missouri State is a -3.5 college football betting odds favorite against FIU, with the Over/Under being 50.5 as of this writing. The moneyline for FIU is +155, while it’s -190 for Missouri State.
FIU vs. Missouri State On TV
The matchup between FIU and Missouri State will be televised on CBSSN.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The contest is taking place at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Missouri.
FIU vs. Missouri State Prediction
I predict Missouri State will win and cover the 3.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 50.5 total points.
This matchup features two teams which are in the top five in Conference USA in total offense. The Panthers are fourth with 398.9 yards per game gained this season while the Bears are right behind in fifth with 373.4 YPG.
However, Missouri State is also top five in total defense with 379.7 YPG allowed, while FIU is 11th in that category with 421.4 YPG allowed on defense. I think that could be a problem for the Panthers.
I also don’t think this is a good matchup for FIU.
Led by quarterback Jacob Clark, Missouri State has one of the better passing offenses in CUSA. They rank third with 267.1 yards per game through the air. For the season, Clark has thrown for 1,478 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions on a 65% completion rate while rushing for two TDs.
Clark has spread the ball around, as five Missouri State pass catchers have at least 230 yards and 15 catches and four have two touchdown receptions. Wide receiver Dash Luke leads Missouri State with 25 catches for 339 yards and two TDs, while running back Ramone Green Jr. has caught 19 passes for 316 yards and two TDs and WR Ronnel Johnson has added 300 yards and two scores on 21 receptions.
FIU is second-to-last in CUSA in passing defense with 268.7 YPG allowed through the air. So I expect Clark will have another effective performance while leading Missouri State to a victory.
