We’ve gone team-by-team through the SEC in preparation of the upcoming football season, so now we’re going to shift our focus to a couple of the other teams in Tennessee. Up first, I’ll offer up my 2018 MTSU preview. Only a few days away until the season kicks off! LFG!
2018 MTSU Preview
The Blue Raiders are poised for another bowl season in 2018, assuming they can stay healthy. This team is deep and plenty experienced, returning eight starters on both sides of the ball. Coach Rick Stockstill is coaching his astonishing 13th season in Murfreesboro – that’s longevity you don’t see too often in college football these days. Stock is 79-72 at MTSU, and he’s facing some pretty lofty expectations
On offense, it’s all about the return of quarterback Brent Stockstill. #12 is one of the most talented players in the entire conference, and has NFL aspirations if he can stay healthy. 2017 was an injury-riddled season for the prolific quarterback. No more Richie James, who’s now in San Francisco playing for the 49ers. But, expect the sure-handed Ty Lee to step right up and fill the #1 WR void. The Blue Raiders have a deep backfield, and one of if not the best offensive line in C-USA. This will undoubtedly be the strength of the team.
The Blue Raiders return a lot of veteran leadership on defense. As was a recurring theme in 2017, a lot of that defense was banged up a season ago. So much of 2018 will depend upon how healthy this team can stay. Jovante Moffatt figures to be a key cog from the safety position as well. The talent is there – they just need to not get hurt.
The Blue Raiders should take advantage of what should be a down year for C-USA. If not for Florida Atlantic, they might even be the favorites as Western Kentucky, UAB, and Florida International figure to regress a bit. Louisiana Tech and North Texas are the favorites in the West, but MTSU is still a step ahead of those programs. Unfortunately for the Blue Raiders, their biggest challenge in 2018 will be navigating a brutally tough schedule to start the season. I wouldn’t consider them “out of the woods” until mid-October.
2018 Blue Raiders Schedule
Saturday, 9/1: @ Vanderbilt – The Commodores defense shut the Blue Raiders down to the tune of 28-6 a season ago. I expect a similar result in 2018.
Saturday, 9/8: vs. UT-Martin – Should be a win for the Blue Raiders, as the offense gets its groove back after playing a tough defense.
Saturday, 9/15: @ Georgia – MTSU has absolutely 0% chance of winning this game.
Saturday, 9/22: BYE WEEK
Saturday, 9/29: vs. Florida Atlantic – If anyone is going to challenge FAU in C-USA this year, it’s MTSU. They’re the only ones close. Since this game’s in Murfreesboro, I’m not going to rule out an upset, but Lane Kiffin’s squad is going to be thinking New Year’s Six bowl.
Friday, 10/5: @ Marshall – Don’t like this one on the road a week after what could be a de facto C-USA East Championship. The Blue Raiders slip up.
Saturday, 10/13: @ Florida International – The Golden Panthers only return two starters on offense and four on defense. This is a rebuild year for Butch Davis, and a win for MTSU here.
Saturday, 10/20: vs. Charlotte – The 49ers are going to be terrible. Another Blue Raiders win.
Saturday, 10/27: @ Old Dominion – Don’t sleep on the Monarchs in C-USA play. They’re going to beat some teams projected ahead of them, but MTSU is not one of them.
Friday, 11/2: vs. Western Kentucky – It’s a down year for the Hilltoppers, but you can’t count out a fierce rival in any game. A good defense keeps ’em in this game, but ultimately, it’s the Blue Raiders who get the win at home.
Saturday, 11/10: @ UTEP – Bless their hearts, the Miners are going to be the worst team in all of college football this year.
Saturday, 11/17: @ Kentucky – Tough environment against an opponent that will be vying for a good bowl game, maybe even a spot in the SEC Championship. This one’s a loss.
Saturday, 11/24: vs. UAB – The Blazers will be bowl contenders after a surprise 8-5 season a year ago. But, they aren’t talented and deep enough to hang with MTSU.
Prediction
How about the stones on Middle to schedule three SEC teams in 2018? If they had scheduled a little easier, they may play themselves into a pretty damn good bowl game. But, unless they can pull off an upset or two, they’re going to finish the season with at least three losses. 9-3 and a C-USA Championship sounds like a pretty good deal, but that’s idealistic. I don’t think they beat FAU, and I hate that they have to travel to Marshall right after that game. This is a 7-5 football team, but for Coach Stock, that means yet another bowl appearance.
Other 2018 Tennessee Previews
Tennessee Volunteers
Vanderbilt Commodores
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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