Conference USA Preview: Middle Tennessee University Blue Raiders

 
Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders

Last Year: 7-6 (6-2)/2nd East

Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: L 31-45 Western Michigan

All in all, 2015 was a good year for the Blue Raiders ending with a trip to the Bahamas. No, they didn’t come back to Tennessee with a win, but getting to a bowl game with a Freshman stud in Brent Stockstill makes this all the sweeter. 2 of their 5 regular season losses came to Illinois and Vanderbilt by a total of 6 points. Those are the games that sting, especially to a Vanderbilt team.

Players to Watch

QB Brent Stockstill

WR Richie James

CB Jeremy Cutrer

2015 was the first season in the program’s history where a QB for the Blue Raiders finished over 4,000 yards in a season. Stockstill ran away with the Conference USA Freshman of the Year award, and will look to 2015 All-Conference USA 1st Team WR Richie James downfield in 2016. James caught 108 passes last year for 1346 yards and 8 TDs. You won’t find a huge standout rusher on the team this year as lead-rusher Jordan Parker has moved on. Shane Tucker had more carries than Parker last year, but of the 1894 yards total rushing on the season he only had 413 yards. That’s 46 less yards than Parker. 6 total starters return on offense including 3 OL.

On defense, The Blue Raiders lose 6 on defense including their top 2 tacklers in 2015 and their top pass interceptor. As a unit, the defense held strong against the run, but their passing numbers were a bit elevated. Most likely because of the types of offenses in the East *cough Western KY cough*. It will be interesting to see how this defense rebound from the lost pieces moving forward.

Total Offense	/4th (457.4)	Total Defense	74th/5th (405.6)
Passing Offense	15th/4th (311.7)	Passing Defense	95th/8th (253.5)
Rushing Offense	98th/12th (145.7)	Rushing Defense	48th/3rd (152.2)
Scoring Offense	35th/4th (34.0)	Scoring Defense	60th/4th (26.6)

Big Games of 2016

Oct 15     WKU

Oct 22     @ Missouri

Nov 12     @ Marshall

Prediction

8-4 (6-2)/1st East

The concern is on defense. This defense could come out and only be a small percentage of what it was in 2015, and if the defense struggles at Vanderbilt and Bowling Green, then you could see a 5-7 result. The only true easy pick is Brent Stockstill burning up more records this year. Could make some big noise in the years to come starting in 2016.