2011-2012 Football Previews – Sun Belt Conference – MTSU Blue Raiders
Expectations were high for Middle Tennessee State in 2010, but the team just never got things going. Star quarterback Dwight Dasher was suspended for the first few games, and then when he came back he didn’t play like a star.
SunBelt Conference 2011-2012 Football Previews: Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Head Coach: Rick Stockstill
2010 Record: 6-7
Middle Tennessee State Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS: +1,500 (Part of Field)
Middle Tennessee State Odds from 5Dimes to win Sun Belt Conference: +850
MTSU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
**BETONLINE – THE BEST SPORTSBOOK FOR NCAA FOOTBALL BETTING! – CLICK HERE NOW + BET TODAY!**
The team that was heavily favored to win the Sun Belt in 2010 was only able to go 5-3 in conference, and a loss to Miami (Ohio) in the GoDaddy.com Bowl left them at 6-7 on the season.
The Blue Raiders return just ten starters from last year’s team. On the defensive side, there are only three starters back from last year. The 2010 Blue Raiders team finished the regular season with a ridiculously bad turnover margin of minus 16. This Middle Tennessee State team will be young, but they must make it their top priority to take better care of the football.
Can Rick Stockstill keep this program going in the right direction or were last year’s woes the beginning a downturn?
Team Strengths:
The Blue Raiders will be led on defense by their linebackers. Darin Davis and Justin Jones both return on the outside. Stephen Roberts is a talented sophomore who is expected to take over in the middle. Davis was second on the team with 81 tackles in 2010, and I think he’ll need to be the defensive leader this season.
Middle Tennessee State has a couple of solid running backs in the backfield. Ben Cunningham and D.D. Kyles have both proven they are capable of producing at a high level, and they should plenty of opportunities this season. Cunningham has sub 4.4-speed, and he should get into the open some in Sun Belt play.
Alan Gendreau is a terrific kicker, and he’ll help this team in numerous games this season. Eric Russell is one of the best kick returners in the conference.
Expect Middle Tennessee State to excel on special teams this season.
Team Weaknesses:
The defensive line is a real problem for the Blue Raiders. They lost all four starters from last year’s team, and they don’t really have anyone who appears ready to step in and make an impact right away. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Freshman and sophomores will be put into the starting lineup right away, and this line could get dominated by the best in the league.
The quarterback situation is not clear at all right now. Logan Kilgore and Jeff Murphy are battling it out for the starting spot. Murphy is more athletic, but Kilgore has a little more experience under center. This could be a controversy that lasts through the entire season.
The Blue Raiders are lacking play makers on the outside. This was a big problem for the team in 2010, and I don’t see it being any different this year.
The running game will be good, but if no one on the outside steps up and produces the offense will be quite unbalanced.
2011-2012 Middle Tennessee State Football Prediction: 5-7
This is an extremely difficult team to get a handle on as we head into the start of the season.
The Blue Raiders have a glaring weakness along the defensive line, and the quarterback situation might be an issue all year long. If this team continues to be turnover prone they’ll struggle to win many games at all, but if they take care of the football they could surprise people.
In the end, the lack of balance offensively and a difficult non-conference schedule will likely keep them out of a bowl this season.
2011 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Schedule
9/3/11 12:00 PM ET @PURD
9/10/11 7:00 PM ET GATCH
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @TROY
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET MEM
10/6/11 7:30 PM ET WKEN
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET @FLATL
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET ULLAF
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET @TENN
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET @ULMON
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET ARKST
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET FLINT
12/3/11 12:00 PM ET @NOTEX
