Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Raiders face unique challenge at UK
11/12/2018 6:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – While neck deep in a conference championship race, Middle Tennessee will face a unique out-of-league challenge come Saturday.
The Blue Raiders (7-3, 6-1), who lead the Conference USA East Division by a half game, will travel to out-of-conference foe and No. 20/21 Kentucky (7-3, 5-3 SEC) for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff.
"We're playing a really talented Kentucky team this week," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "It's a typical SEC team in a lot of positions. They're really big, strong and physical … and really well-coached.
"We've got to have a great week of preparation."
Middle Tennessee has won four games in a row, all in conference play, since losing Oct. 13 at FIU, which sits a half game behind the Raiders but own the tiebreaker.
Stockstill is hoping that playing a Southeastern Conference opponent in the penultimate week of the regular season won't break up his team's momentum gained from the streak.
"It kind of breaks up your rhythm a little bit because you play seven straight conference games, then you step out, then you finish up … but I don't think it really presents anything different," the head coach said. "We just have to be ready to go, because this is one of the best teams in the country."
Other than the uniqueness of the game from a non-conference standpoint, Kentucky will throw plenty of challenges at MT.
The Wildcats have shed their "Basketball School" nameplate with one of the best seasons in program history, including one of their top ever national rankings when they were No. 9 in the AP Poll for Week 10.
Two Preseason All-SEC players – running back Benny Snell Jr. and linebacker Josh Allen – have guided UK to a current second-place standing in the SEC East Division. The Wildcats were picked fifth in the division in the preseason SEC media poll.
"They've got one of the top running backs in the country, let alone the SEC … and a very special pass rusher who's really dominated the SEC here in the first 10 games of the season," Stockstill said. "When you play these type teams, there's no margin for error."
Though it will be tough on the Blue Raiders going out of conference to a hostile SEC environment, they at least won't have to wait around all day Saturday in Lexington.
The noon ET – 11 a.m. CT – kickoff was announced on Nov. 5, and Stockstill and his team couldn't be happier.
"Ask me, and we'd play them all at noon or 11," the head coach said. "It's better for your coaches, your players and your fans. They can all get home at a respectable hour, and we're not sitting around the hotel all day."
The task will be tall, but Middle Tennessee will be prepared for a battle in the Bluegrass State.
"We know the challenge going to this place presents," Stockstill said, "but I promise you we'll be excited and ready to play this game."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
The Blue Raiders (7-3, 6-1), who lead the Conference USA East Division by a half game, will travel to out-of-conference foe and No. 20/21 Kentucky (7-3, 5-3 SEC) for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff.
"We're playing a really talented Kentucky team this week," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "It's a typical SEC team in a lot of positions. They're really big, strong and physical … and really well-coached.
"We've got to have a great week of preparation."
Middle Tennessee has won four games in a row, all in conference play, since losing Oct. 13 at FIU, which sits a half game behind the Raiders but own the tiebreaker.
Stockstill is hoping that playing a Southeastern Conference opponent in the penultimate week of the regular season won't break up his team's momentum gained from the streak.
"It kind of breaks up your rhythm a little bit because you play seven straight conference games, then you step out, then you finish up … but I don't think it really presents anything different," the head coach said. "We just have to be ready to go, because this is one of the best teams in the country."
Other than the uniqueness of the game from a non-conference standpoint, Kentucky will throw plenty of challenges at MT.
The Wildcats have shed their "Basketball School" nameplate with one of the best seasons in program history, including one of their top ever national rankings when they were No. 9 in the AP Poll for Week 10.
Two Preseason All-SEC players – running back Benny Snell Jr. and linebacker Josh Allen – have guided UK to a current second-place standing in the SEC East Division. The Wildcats were picked fifth in the division in the preseason SEC media poll.
"They've got one of the top running backs in the country, let alone the SEC … and a very special pass rusher who's really dominated the SEC here in the first 10 games of the season," Stockstill said. "When you play these type teams, there's no margin for error."
Though it will be tough on the Blue Raiders going out of conference to a hostile SEC environment, they at least won't have to wait around all day Saturday in Lexington.
The noon ET – 11 a.m. CT – kickoff was announced on Nov. 5, and Stockstill and his team couldn't be happier.
"Ask me, and we'd play them all at noon or 11," the head coach said. "It's better for your coaches, your players and your fans. They can all get home at a respectable hour, and we're not sitting around the hotel all day."
The task will be tall, but Middle Tennessee will be prepared for a battle in the Bluegrass State.
"We know the challenge going to this place presents," Stockstill said, "but I promise you we'll be excited and ready to play this game."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
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