MTSU vs. FIU 2012 odds: Blue Raiders 3-point favorites on the road

Middle Tennessee State is a 3-point favorite entering Saturday's game at 1-5 Florida International, moving up a single point since since opening at MTSU (-2) at the beginning of the week.

Since a season-opening loss to FCS foe McNeese State, MTSU has rebounded nicely, including a victory over Georgia Tech in Atlanta two weeks ago. The Blue Raiders are 3-2 against the spread, but 2-0 on the road this season, while the Panthers are 1-2 at home and 1-5 overall against the spread.

According to Odds Shark, MTSU holds three key offensive advantages over FIU: The Blue Raiders top the Golden Panthers in overall scoring vs. overall defense, passing offense on the road vs. home defense and rushing offense on the road vs. home defense.

The road team has won the last two meetings in this series, breaking a five-year streak of the home team taking the victory. However: MTSU is an alarming 3-8 against the spread in its last 11 games, while FIU is 2-5 in their last seven. Neither team has been reliable against the lines.