Middle Tennessee Set for SEC Round No. 2

This week as the Blue Raiders head to Oxford, Miss. for a battle with the Ole Miss Rebels the differences between the two squads couldn't be more - well - different. After a five game win streak that saw MT's turbo-charged offensive light scoreboards like a Christmas tree, the Mean Green of North Texas forced the Blue Raiders into four turnovers on their way to a 24-21 win last weekend. "The kids are hurt," said MT Head Coach Andy McCollum. "I thought as far as execution and effort offensively, it was the worst we have had all year. It has to be corrected and it will. Now we have to get ready for a good Ole Miss team." Conversely, the Rebels are coming off one of their biggest wins in recent years. After a 13-year drought, Ole Miss finally managed to upend Alabama last weekend in a come-from-behind victory. Mississippi's new favorite son, Eli Manning, was 22-for-41in the contest and managed to hit running back Joe Gunn in the end zone for the go-ahead score. "He fits the offense very well," McCollum said of Manning. "He makes great decisions, he's very poised, and he's one of the best players in the country." So is the Ole Miss defense. The Rebel defense is No. 1 in the nation against the pass allowing opponents only 131.8 yards a game through the air. And that should make things interesting for MT and quarterback Wes Counts, who over the last two games has become the Blue Raiders all-time leader in touchdown passes, completions and yardage. His favorite target, senior Kendall Newson also owns the third longest active consecutive reception streak in the country with 38 games. But it's not just passing that has put the Blue Raiders on the map this season. The squad boasts one of the most balanced attacks out there. Thanks to running backs Dwone Hicks, Reshard Lee and Jamison Palmer, the Blue Raiders are churning out 239 yards per game on the ground to go along with there 273 yards through the air. That has all helped MT put up 513 yards of total offense and 41 points per game. On paper that's all well and good. However, it's Ole Miss' homecoming, and history says that the Rebs don't lose that many homecomings, as they have a record of 58-13-2 during those games. Defensively, the Blue Raiders hope the addition of Michael Woods in the secondary will help the cause this weekend. The sophomore made his debut in the secondary last week and recorded an interception. "That was a big play for us," said McCollum of the interception. "He will only continue to improve and he has a chance to really become a good player for us at safety." The Blue Raider defense will also have its hands full with Gunn, who is the SEC's active career rushing leader with 2,191 yards. Ole Miss also owns a 21-game non-conference winning streak. "It's going to be a great challenge for us," said McCollum. "We are going to have to be as good as we can be to even have a chance. This is where we have to come back and see if we can put a complete game together with offense, defense, and special teams. It's time to put a complete game together and hopefully this is the week for us."

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Players Mentioned

Wes Counts

Dwone Hicks

Reshard Lee

Kendall Newson

Jamison Palmer

Michael Woods

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics