MTSU vs. BYU: Who has the edge?
MURFREESBORO – MTSU (5-3) hosts Brigham Young (4-4) for the first time in Floyd Stadium at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday (TV: CBS Sports Network).
MTSU beat writer Will Borthick tells you who has the edge at each position.
QUARTERBACK: BYU senior Christian Stewart, Taysom Hill's replacment, has shown an ability to throw the football pretty well, but he's only got three career starts and they've all come in the last three weeks. Edge: MTSU
RUNNING BACK: Hill was BYU's most explosive runner before getting hurt. The Cougars have hit their season average just once since he went down. MTSU is averaging almost 5 yards per carry (4.9). Edge: MTSU
RECEIVER/TIGHT END: BYU's Mitch Matthews, 6-foot-6, is a force, while teammate Jordan Leslie, 6-foot-3, is a great No. 2. The two have more catches and the same number of TDs as MTSU's top-4 WRs combined. Edge: BYU
OFFENSIVE LINE: MTSU's line has the 29th-ranked rushing attack in the country and has allowed just 16 sacks in eight games. BYU's line has allowed 13 sacks during its four-game losing streak. Edge: MTSU
DEFENSIVE LINE: One of the biggest strengths for the Cougars is up front on defense. The long, big group allows just 113.2 rushing yards per game (20th in FBS), but MTSU has 16 sacks in its last four games. Edge: EVEN
LINEBACKER: The BYU trio of 6-foot-7 Bronson Kaufusi, Alani Fua and Zac Stout has combined for 17.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 94 total takedowns. Edge: BYU
SECONDARY: Kevin Byard gives the Raiders a slight edge but both units rank among the bottom-15 teams in the FBS in passing yards allowed. The unit that plays better likely determines Saturday's winner. Edge: EVEN
SPECIAL TEAMS: MTSU's punt return teams have been better statistically, while BYU boasts the better kickoff return units. The Cougars have the better punt team, and the kickers are even. Edge: EVEN
COACHING: BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall is not a coach that will be affected by a four-game losing streak. He's 86-38 overall and has taken the Cougars to nine straight bowl games. Edge: BYU
INTANGIBLES: BYU has lost four-straight, while MTSU is rested and needs just one more to get bowl eligible for the third straight season. Plus, revenge from last year's 37-10 loss in Provo, Utah should still be fresh. Edge: MTSU
WHO WINS?: Trying to gauge what type of BYU team will take the field on Saturday is difficult. If MTSU can establish its running game early, the Blue Raiders will take a big step toward a victory. Turnovers will be critical too. BYU is minus-4 on the year, while MTSU is plus-3 in turnover margin. The Pick: MTSU 34, BYU 31
Contact Will Borthick at wborthick@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @willborthick.