Middle Tennessee has played six games. Rice? Zero. That’s about all you need to know. It’s not as if the Owls are coming out of a strong 2019 season, either; they went 3-9. Though the Blue Raiders are 1-5, they stand .500 on covering. The offense has generated more than 30 points in three of the past four outings. MTSU is mediocre, at best, to be sure, but a team in the second half of its schedule wields a significant edge over one just leaving the starting gate.