Do you smell that? That's the sweet scent of college football my friends. What better way to celebrate than to bet on a classic Week 1 FBS/FCS matchup? The Missouri Tigers of the SEC host the Murray State Racers of the MVC.
It wasn’t an easy 2023 for the Racers. They went 2-9 last season and clearly needed to go in a new direction. In comes new head coach Jody Wright, who brings 20 years of experience with programs like Alabama, South Carolina and Mississippi State, as well as stints in the NFL.
Missouri is up there as one of the more hyped teams in college football. Eli Drinkwitz is building a solid program, with an exceptional recruiting class this season and some solid transfer portal action.
Below, read for my Murray State vs. Missouri prediction.
Murray State vs Missouri Prediction
- Murray State vs. Missouri Pick: Murray State +47.5
My Murray State vs. Missouri best bet is on the Racers spread with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Murray State vs Missouri Odds
| Murray State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+47.5 -105 | 57.5 -115o / -105u | |
| Missouri Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-47.5 -115 | 57.5 -115o / -105u | |
- Murray State vs Missouri Point Spread: Murray State +47.5 (-105) · Missouri -47.5 (-115)
- Murray State vs Missouri Total: Over/Under 57.5
- Murray State vs Missouri Moneyline: N/A
Murray State vs Missouri Preview
Murray State Racers Betting Preview: Is Jody's Way the Wright Way?
One of Wright’s first acts was to address the quarterback position, and he brought in South Dakota transfer Jayden Johanssen. The 6-foot-2 transfer dominated Division II football, throwing for over 8000 yards while rushing for over 1,600 yards.
Additionally, Johanssen won the Harlon Hill Award (D-II’s version of the Heisman), so Wright has already made his mark on this program.
Johanssen will have some new toys, as the Racers’ receiving corps is completely new from last season. Wright brought in transfers from Louisville, Middle Tennessee, NC State and Cincinnati.
For the most part, the running game stays put, except for Cortezz Jones – who left for Lindenwood. Jawaun Northington solidified himself as the bell-cow back towards the end of the season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Defensively, it’s hard to figure out what to expect. There are 34 members from the transfer portal alone, but it can’t be worse than what it was before, right? Murray State allowed the 10th-most points last season in the FCS, so I expect some sort of uptick.
Missouri Tigers Betting Preview: Carrying a Heavy Burden
Brady Cook will take snaps once again, and he’s looking to build off last season's success. He helped Mizzou to a 14th-ranked passing attack in Success Rate and 17th in PPA.
When talking about this aerial attack, it starts with Luther Burden III. Burden is a projected top-10 pick in the NFL Draft and separated himself as an elite prospect. Last season, he brought in over 1,200 receiving yards, averaged 14 yards per catch and hauled in nine touchdowns.
Theo Wease Jr. will also draw a ton of attention when Burden is probably in double coverage. Wease can be a dynamic option for Cook, bringing in just under 700 total yards last season.
The Tigers’ run game will look significantly different though, as Cody Schrader is in the NFL. Schrader ran for over 1,600 yards and averaged six yards per carry.
Drinkwitz mentioned that transfer running back Nate Noel from Appalachian State will get a bulk of the carries in tonight’s duel. Expect to see a little action for Georgia State transfer Marcus Carroll as well.
I can see Mizzou being one of the top defensive teams in the nation.
While it’s prone to allowing explosive plays, I don’t see it being much of an issue against an FCS team. For the most part, the Tigers were overall among the elite, ranking 22nd in Success Rate and 13th in Havoc.
Not only that, Mizzou was active in the portal, bringing in six players on defense who expect to start tonight.
My Murray State vs Missouri Pick & Prediction
FanDuel has this line at 47.5, and I think that number seems a bit steep.
Murray State was awful last season, but the university pushed all the right buttons when rebuilding this program. It brought in a coach with an esteemed reputation and 20% of the roster is transfers.
So, everything you think you know (or don’t know) about Murray State, I think it’s best to wipe the slate clean.
We already know what we’re getting out of Missouri. It’s ranked 11th for a reason. It’s a program that expects to be contending for not only the SEC title, but the College Football Playoff.
I think this game is going to be a blowout — but by nearly 50 points? I’ll pass. Missouri played an FCS team during Week 1 last season and only won by 25 points. The Tigers are good, but this program hasn't won a game by over 40 points in four years.
There’s some value to be had at +47.5 with odds at -105.
Pick: Murray State +47.5 at -105
How to Watch Murray State vs Missouri Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Missouri |
| Date: | Thursday, Aug. 29 |
| Kickoff Time: | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | SEC Network |
Murray State vs Missouri Betting Trends
- Of all bets on Murray State vs. Missouri, 88% of the bets are on Missouri, while 70% of the money has landed on the Tigers.
- From a total perspective, 50% of bets have landed on the under, and 57% of the money is on the total to go under.
