– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:50 am
2017 Football Preview – C-USA – Blue Raiders
Looking for 2017 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders predictions? The Blue Raiders saw themselves have a succesful 2016 season finishing with an 8-5 record and an invitation to a bowl game. They used a high powered offense to their advantage last year and it led to a lot of success. This year the expectations are high. Many are saying this could be the best year and team that they have had since they joined the FBS competition.
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- Head Coach: Rick Stockstill
- 2016 Record: 8-5
- Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +50000
- Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
- ***More 2017 NCAA Football Team Season Previews***
So will they live up to the expectations? Or will they take a step back and disappoint their fans?
2017 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Predictions: Team Strengths
Start Quarterback: Head coach Rick Stockstill was a great quarterback in his day playing under Bobby Bowden at Florida state in the 1970’s.
Stockstill’s son Brent Stockstill seems to be following his fathers footsteps and has made quite a name for himself under center for the Blue Raiders.
[dfads params=’groups=220&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Stockstill ended up missing three games last year because of injury so his numbers don’t look as impressive as the year before, but they were still good.
He threw for 3233 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also did a great job of not turning the ball over, only throwing seven interceptions.
Stockstill is a pocket passer that is primed for another big year this year. He is already on scout’s radar but if he can really blow it open this year, he is an NFL talent.
Star Out Wide: Not only do the Blue Raiders have a good situation at quarterback, he has the wide receiver that will probably go down as the best to ever play at Middle Tennessee when it’s all said and done.
Junior Richie James is not only the best wide receiver in the conference, he is one of the best active wide receivers in FBS. He is currently the active career leader in receptions with 213 and receiving yards with 2,971. He has breakaway speed and can run away from almost anyone.
Ty Lee and Patrick Smith are also good receivers who don’t put up as big of stats, but play a big role in the offense.
2017 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Who’s the Running Back?: For as good of team, and offense as the Blue Raiders have, they do have one big weakness that needs to be addressed, and that is who is going to be the starting running back to start out the year for this team.
Check out the free College football picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
The schools leading rusher I’Tavius Mathers graduated this spring and they are going to need to find a way to replace his production.
They don’t need to find an all star running back. The just need someone who is good enough that it is just a threat that they will run it, and that might be enough to open up the passing game.
Defensive Woes: As good as the offense was last year, the defense was almost that bad. They gave up over 35 points per game.
In the off season they brought in former Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer to be the defensive coordinator. He is known as a bright defensive mind, and if they can get that points per game down a little bit, this is going to be a very special year for the Blue Raiders.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Prediction: 9-3
The Blue Raiders have a few toss up games in the non conference schedule that will probably decide how special this season is for them.
They play the likes of Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Minnesota and Bowling Green. I think they will come out of that stretch with a 2-2 record.
[dfads params=’groups=219&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Once conference play fires up I think they will lose one more game and that will give them a final season record of 9-3.
2017 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football Schedule
- 9/2/17 8:00 PM ET VAN
- 9/9/17 3:30 PM ET @SYR
- 9/16/17 3:30 PM ET @MINN
- 9/23/17 7:00 PM ET BGSU
- 9/30/17 7:00 PM ET @FAU
- 10/7/17 3:00 PM ET FIU
- 10/14/17 6:30 PM ET @UAB
- 10/20/17 7:00 PM ET MRSH
- 11/4/17 TBD UTEP
- 11/11/17 TBD @CHAR
- 11/17/17 9:00 PM ET @WKU
- 11/25/17 TBD ODU
What do you think about our 2017 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
The 2017 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.
Check out our Updated College Football Betting Odds.