Middle Tennessee State hosts Murray State in 2026 season opener

NCAA College Football Blue Raiders Murray State Racers Middle Tennessee State University Dolly Parton tribute

Middle Tennessee State University is set to open its 2026 football season this Saturday at Floyd Stadium against Murray State. The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT. Head coach Derek Mason enters his third season leading the Blue Raiders, a team that features several players on the Conference USA preseason watch list.

The matchup carries special significance as the university will honor the legacy of Tennessee icon Dolly Parton. Players will wear commemorative jersey patches featuring Parton’s signature and butterfly motif. A game-worn jersey with the patch will be donated to the MTSU Center for Popular Music.

Betting markets list Middle Tennessee as the favorite with a moneyline of -1725, while Murray State enters as the underdog with a moneyline of +756. The spread is set at 21.5 points.

Entities

Derek Mason · Dolly Parton · Floyd Stadium · Middle Tennessee State University · Murray State University

Sources

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