Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Football schedule breakdown: First half
7/21/2018 8:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With only five home games and three Southeastern Conference opponents on the docket, Middle Tennessee is facing a tough schedule as it looks to the 2018 football season.
The tough slate will start immediately, as a trip to Vanderbilt on Sept. 1 will kick things off. Then, after a visit to Murfreesboro by UT-Martin, the Blue Raiders will make the short trek to Athens, Georgia, to take on defending national runner-up Georgia in Week 3.
After the trip to Georgia, Middle Tennessee will have a bye before starting Conference USA play on Sept. 29 against defending league champion FAU at home. MT will then be in C-USA action at Marshall and FIU to finish off the first half with four road games and two at home.
MT at Vanderbilt
Date: Sept. 1
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: SEC Network Alternate
Middle Tennessee and in-state foe Vanderbilt will meet for the fourth straight year and 19th time overall in the season's first week.
The Commodores own a 15-3 all-time advantage over the Blue Raiders, with MT's last win over its Nashville neighbor coming in 2005, the end of a three-game winning streak in the series. Vanderbilt won the 2017 version 28-6 in Murfreesboro.
While Middle Tennessee will finally get to play the Dores minus Ralph Webb (138.7 rushing yards per game in three meetings), it'll still have plenty to deal with from Vandy's offense.
Last season, it was Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur who torched the Blue Raider defense, completing 20-of-28 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns. The senior is one of the most experienced signal callers in the country, and he has some weapons to use in running backs Khari Blasingame and Jamauri Wakefield and receiver Kalija Lipscomb.
Middle Tennessee will have to counter with good play of its own from senior quarterback Brent Stockstill and company. After averaging 342.5 passing yards with four TDs and one interception in his first two matchups with the Dores, Stockstill threw for just 166 yards, one TD and one INT in last season's loss.
Vandy 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 24.6 PPG defense: 31.3
Passing YPG: 243.6 Pass defense: 194.6
Rushing YPG: 107.2 Rush defense: 198.5
TO forced: 9 TO lost: 14
Key players, 2017 stats
QB Kyle Shurmer, Sr.: 2,823 yards, 26 TD, 10 INT, 137.6 efficiency, 57.9 comp. pct.
WR Kalija Lipscomb, Jr.: 37 receptions, 610 yards, 8 TD, 16.5 ypc
S LaDarius Wiley, R-Sr.: 88 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 6 passes defended
LB Charles White, R-Sr.: 43 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 8 QB hurries
LB Jordan Griffin, Sr.: 62 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
MT vs. UT-Martin
Date: Sept. 8
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
Tennessee-Martin will travel to Murfreesboro in Week 2 to renew an old series with Middle Tennessee. It will be the 29th meeting all-time between the programs but the first since 1999, MT's first season as a Division I-A member. The Blue Raiders are 20-7-1 in the series all-time, which started in 1931.
The Skyhawks, members of the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I FCS, finished 6-5 and 4-4 in league play in 2017, good for fourth in the OVC.
While UT-Martin's offense struggled at times a season ago, its defense was stout. It allowed opponents just 14.3 points per contest, registering two shutouts and forcing 20 turnovers. Seven of its 11 interceptions, though, came from graduates Trae Martin (four) and Khalid Hagens (three), who will have to be replaced.
The Skyhawk defense will get its top two tacklers back from a year ago in seniors James Gilleylen and Kevin Prather Jr., one of five Rutherford County natives on the roster. Senior running back Ladarius Galloway will lead the returners on offense along with sophomore quarterback Dresser Winn, who started the last five games of the season as a freshman in 2017.
The game will also be a homecoming of sorts for freshman defensive lineman D'Andrew Litaker, the 2018 DNJ Travis Weber Courage Award winner. The Murfreesboro native and former Riverdale standout was a Tennessee commit originally before opening his recruitment as a senior.
UT-Martin 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 19.6 PPG defense: 14.3
Passing YPG: 161 Pass defense: 159.9
Rushing YPG: 136.7 Rush defense: 113.9
TO forced: 20 TO lost: 19
Key Players, 2017 stats
QB Dresser Winn, So.: 744 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT, 141.1 efficiency, 55.6 comp. pct.
RB Ladarius Galloway, Sr.: 859 rushing yards, 4 TD, 307 receiving yards, 1,166 all-purpose yards
LB James Gilleylen, R-Sr.: 88 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 2 sacks, 9 TFLs
LB Kevin Prather Jr., Sr.: 77 tackles, 10 TFLs, 1 sack, 8 QB hurries
MT at Georgia
Date: Sept. 15
Time: 6:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Middle Tennessee will make its second SEC trip of the season in Week 3 when it travels to Athens, Georgia, to take on defending national runner-up Georgia. It'll be the second meeting all-time between the teams, with the Bulldogs taking down the Blue Raiders 29-10 in 2003.
Georgia is coming off a memorable 2017 season in which it took a SEC championship and 13-1 record into the College Football Playoff National Championship, losing to national champion Alabama 26-23 in overtime in one of the most memorable title games of recent memory.
The Bulldogs are loaded up for another run at the College Football Playoff, which would be their second in just three years under head coach Kirby Smart.
It all started with defense for Georgia last season, as it sported the nation's sixth-ranked scoring and total defense. The loss of eight guys who started in the College Football Playoff will hurt, most notably linebacker Roquan Smith, but plenty of high-caliber recruits from the nation's top-ranked recruiting class (247Sports.com) are ready to step in and take the reins.
With their defense having to replace a lot of talent, the Bulldog offense could step up and be the driving force to another playoff appearance. Sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm returns with dynamic receivers Mecole Hardman, Terry Godwin and Riley Ridley, and though 1,000-yard backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are gone, sophomore D'Andre Swift and freshman Zamir White should step in and keep the train moving. The offensive line is also stacked with four starters returning and the nation's top-ranked incoming guard.
This will be a tough one for Middle Tennessee, and the Blue Raiders could consider it a win if they can get through the third game of the season without any major injuries with Conference USA play looming in Week 4. The Blue Raiders will also have a nice pay day with a $1.6 million check awaiting them.
Georgia 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 35.4 (20th NCAA) PPG defense: 16.4 (6th)
Passing YPG: 176.9 Pass defense: 168.9 (8th)
Rushing YPG: 258.4 (9th) Rush defense: 126 (20th)
Third downs: 45.6% (11th) Third down defense: 32.9% (19th)
Key Players, 2017 stats
QB Jake Fromm, So.: 2,615 yards, 24 TD, 7 INT, 160.09 efficiency, 62.2 comp. pct.
RB D'Andre Swift, So.: 81 carries, 618 yards, 13 TD, 771 all-purpose yards
CB Deandre Baker, Sr.: 44 tackles, 1 TFLs, 3 INT, 9 pass breakups
S J.R. Reed, R-Jr.: 79 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 INT, 5 pass breakups
OLB D'Andre Walker, Sr.: 40 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 12 QB hurries
MT vs. FAU*
Date: Sept. 29
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: STADIUM/Facebook
Following a bye, Middle Tennessee's Conference USA slate will start against defending league champion FAU, and it's one of three tough challenges to begin league play. It will be the 15th meeting between them all-time, with the Blue Raiders holding an 11-3 advantage.
If MT is going to come away victorious, it will have to find a way to contain FAU second-year head coach Lane Kiffin's offense behind running back Devin Singletary. The junior has a new offensive coordinator in Charlie Weis Jr. (the youngest coordinator in NCAA history at 25), but he's still the favorite to win a second straight C-USA MVP.
Singletary sliced the Blue Raiders for 133 yards and four touchdowns in the 38-20 win last season, but it was his team's defense that ultimately led to the win. The Owls intercepted three MT passes and registered two sacks.
Senior linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, a 2017 First Team C-USA selection, leads a large group of returners, including most of the defensive starters from a year ago. Middle Tennessee will have to find a way to control the ball against the nation's second-best intercepting team and having quarterback Brent Stockstill under center could help. He missed last season's matchup while recovering from injury as did receiver Richie James.
FAU 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 40.6 (8th NCAA) PPG defense: 22.7
Passing YPG: 213.1 Pass defense: 230.7
Rushing YPG: 285.3 (6th) Rush defense: 158.9
TO margin: +13 (T-6th) Interceptions: 20 (T-2nd)
Key Players, 2017 stats
RB Devin Singletary, Jr.: 301 rushes, 1,920 yards (4th), 32 TDs (1st), 2,118 all-purpose yards
QB De'Andre Johnson, R-Jr.: Former Florida State three-star, frontrunner to take over at QB
LB Azee Al-Shaair, R-Sr.: 147 tackles (3rd, 1st C-USA), 11.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
LB Rashad Smith, Jr.: 99 tackles, 12 TFLs, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble
S Jalen Young, Sr.: 77 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 7 INT (T-2nd), 8 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
MT at Marshall
Date: Oct. 5 (Friday)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: CBS SN
If Middle Tennessee is going to get over the hump against Marshall, it will have to be sharper than a season ago when the Thundering Herd traveled to Murfreesboro and left a 38-10 winner on national television. It was the second win in a row for Marshall in the series, which it leads all-time 5-2.
As was the case last season, the contest will be a Friday night affair. The Blue Raiders will have to play better under the Herd lights than their own, most notably on offense, where they accounted for just 273 yards and had two turnovers in last year's loss without quarterback Brent Stockstill.
The Thundering Herd and nine-year head coach Doc Holiday will throw out a roster packed with veterans, though they'll have to find a way to replace quarterback Chase Litton. Nine defensive starters, the entire offensive line, the top two running backs and three of the top four receivers from a season ago will return.
Following FAU with a road contest at Marshall will be tough for MT, and it doesn't get much easier the next week, either.
Marshall 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 26.7 PPG defense: 19.9 (17th NCAA)
Passing YPG: 239.6 Pass defense: 220.5
Rushing YPG: 140.2 Rush defense: 121.2
Sacks allowed: 11 (4th) Sacks: 32
Key players, 2017 stats
MT at Florida International
Date: Oct. 13
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: BEIN Sports
A tough three-game stretch to start league play for Middle Tennessee ends with a road contest at Florida International, against whom the Blue Raiders are looking for their fourth straight win and 10th in 14 meetings.
In Butch Davis' first year at FIU in 2017, he turned the regularly underwhelming Panthers into a bowl team for the third time and first since 2011. They set a school record with eight wins, though one didn't come against MT. The Blue Raiders welcomed the Panthers for homecoming and left with a 37-17 win.
While it was a magical first season for Davis, he and the Panthers will have to replace a lot to get back to that level in 2018. They don't return any of their top skill position players on offense nor their top four tacklers on defense, though they do sport the top-ranked recruiting class in the conference, according to 247Sports.com.
If Middle Tennessee can take advantage of a young FIU bunch, it can finish the first half of the season with momentum heading into a more favorable second half.
FIU 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 27.54 PPG defense: 26.54
Passing YPG: 239.69 Pass defense: 237.08
Rushing YPG: 163.2 Rush defense: 167.2
Red zone offense: 40-41, 97.6% (1st NCAA)
Key players, 2017 stats
RB Shawndarrius Phillips, Jr.: 98 carries, 453 yards, 4 TD
RB Napoleon Maxwell, R-Sr.: 70 carries, 425 yards, 5 TD, 6.1 yards per carry
DE Fermin Silva, Sr.: 45 tackles, 14 TFLs, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble
DL Anthony Johnson, R-Sr.: 37 tackles, 7 TFLs, 6 sacks
QB James Morgan, GS: Transfer from Bowling Green expected to be named starter
MT win projection: 64.5%
(SECOND HALF BREAKDOWN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW MORNING)
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 tough slate will start immediately, as a trip to Vanderbilt on Sept. 1 will kick things off. Then, after a visit to Murfreesboro by UT-Martin, the Blue Raiders will make the short trek to Athens, Georgia, to take on defending national runner-up Georgia in Week 3.
After the trip to Georgia, Middle Tennessee will have a bye before starting Conference USA play on Sept. 29 against defending league champion FAU at home. MT will then be in C-USA action at Marshall and FIU to finish off the first half with four road games and two at home.
Here's a breakdown of each first-half matchup with win projections from ESPN FPI that are based on each team's current FPI, game location and game type (bowl, FCS, etc.):
MT at Vanderbilt
Date: Sept. 1
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: SEC Network Alternate
Middle Tennessee and in-state foe Vanderbilt will meet for the fourth straight year and 19th time overall in the season's first week.
The Commodores own a 15-3 all-time advantage over the Blue Raiders, with MT's last win over its Nashville neighbor coming in 2005, the end of a three-game winning streak in the series. Vanderbilt won the 2017 version 28-6 in Murfreesboro.
While Middle Tennessee will finally get to play the Dores minus Ralph Webb (138.7 rushing yards per game in three meetings), it'll still have plenty to deal with from Vandy's offense.
Last season, it was Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur who torched the Blue Raider defense, completing 20-of-28 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns. The senior is one of the most experienced signal callers in the country, and he has some weapons to use in running backs Khari Blasingame and Jamauri Wakefield and receiver Kalija Lipscomb.
Middle Tennessee will have to counter with good play of its own from senior quarterback Brent Stockstill and company. After averaging 342.5 passing yards with four TDs and one interception in his first two matchups with the Dores, Stockstill threw for just 166 yards, one TD and one INT in last season's loss.
Vandy 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 24.6 PPG defense: 31.3
Passing YPG: 243.6 Pass defense: 194.6
Rushing YPG: 107.2 Rush defense: 198.5
TO forced: 9 TO lost: 14
Key players, 2017 stats
QB Kyle Shurmer, Sr.: 2,823 yards, 26 TD, 10 INT, 137.6 efficiency, 57.9 comp. pct.
WR Kalija Lipscomb, Jr.: 37 receptions, 610 yards, 8 TD, 16.5 ypc
S LaDarius Wiley, R-Sr.: 88 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 6 passes defended
LB Charles White, R-Sr.: 43 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 8 QB hurries
LB Jordan Griffin, Sr.: 62 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
MT win projection: 39.3%
MT vs. UT-Martin
Date: Sept. 8
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
Tennessee-Martin will travel to Murfreesboro in Week 2 to renew an old series with Middle Tennessee. It will be the 29th meeting all-time between the programs but the first since 1999, MT's first season as a Division I-A member. The Blue Raiders are 20-7-1 in the series all-time, which started in 1931.
The Skyhawks, members of the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I FCS, finished 6-5 and 4-4 in league play in 2017, good for fourth in the OVC.
While UT-Martin's offense struggled at times a season ago, its defense was stout. It allowed opponents just 14.3 points per contest, registering two shutouts and forcing 20 turnovers. Seven of its 11 interceptions, though, came from graduates Trae Martin (four) and Khalid Hagens (three), who will have to be replaced.
The Skyhawk defense will get its top two tacklers back from a year ago in seniors James Gilleylen and Kevin Prather Jr., one of five Rutherford County natives on the roster. Senior running back Ladarius Galloway will lead the returners on offense along with sophomore quarterback Dresser Winn, who started the last five games of the season as a freshman in 2017.
The game will also be a homecoming of sorts for freshman defensive lineman D'Andrew Litaker, the 2018 DNJ Travis Weber Courage Award winner. The Murfreesboro native and former Riverdale standout was a Tennessee commit originally before opening his recruitment as a senior.
UT-Martin 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 19.6 PPG defense: 14.3
Passing YPG: 161 Pass defense: 159.9
Rushing YPG: 136.7 Rush defense: 113.9
TO forced: 20 TO lost: 19
Key Players, 2017 stats
QB Dresser Winn, So.: 744 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT, 141.1 efficiency, 55.6 comp. pct.
RB Ladarius Galloway, Sr.: 859 rushing yards, 4 TD, 307 receiving yards, 1,166 all-purpose yards
LB James Gilleylen, R-Sr.: 88 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 2 sacks, 9 TFLs
LB Kevin Prather Jr., Sr.: 77 tackles, 10 TFLs, 1 sack, 8 QB hurries
MT win projection: 92.1%
MT at Georgia
Date: Sept. 15
Time: 6:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Middle Tennessee will make its second SEC trip of the season in Week 3 when it travels to Athens, Georgia, to take on defending national runner-up Georgia. It'll be the second meeting all-time between the teams, with the Bulldogs taking down the Blue Raiders 29-10 in 2003.
Georgia is coming off a memorable 2017 season in which it took a SEC championship and 13-1 record into the College Football Playoff National Championship, losing to national champion Alabama 26-23 in overtime in one of the most memorable title games of recent memory.
The Bulldogs are loaded up for another run at the College Football Playoff, which would be their second in just three years under head coach Kirby Smart.
It all started with defense for Georgia last season, as it sported the nation's sixth-ranked scoring and total defense. The loss of eight guys who started in the College Football Playoff will hurt, most notably linebacker Roquan Smith, but plenty of high-caliber recruits from the nation's top-ranked recruiting class (247Sports.com) are ready to step in and take the reins.
With their defense having to replace a lot of talent, the Bulldog offense could step up and be the driving force to another playoff appearance. Sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm returns with dynamic receivers Mecole Hardman, Terry Godwin and Riley Ridley, and though 1,000-yard backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are gone, sophomore D'Andre Swift and freshman Zamir White should step in and keep the train moving. The offensive line is also stacked with four starters returning and the nation's top-ranked incoming guard.
This will be a tough one for Middle Tennessee, and the Blue Raiders could consider it a win if they can get through the third game of the season without any major injuries with Conference USA play looming in Week 4. The Blue Raiders will also have a nice pay day with a $1.6 million check awaiting them.
Georgia 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 35.4 (20th NCAA) PPG defense: 16.4 (6th)
Passing YPG: 176.9 Pass defense: 168.9 (8th)
Rushing YPG: 258.4 (9th) Rush defense: 126 (20th)
Third downs: 45.6% (11th) Third down defense: 32.9% (19th)
Key Players, 2017 stats
QB Jake Fromm, So.: 2,615 yards, 24 TD, 7 INT, 160.09 efficiency, 62.2 comp. pct.
RB D'Andre Swift, So.: 81 carries, 618 yards, 13 TD, 771 all-purpose yards
CB Deandre Baker, Sr.: 44 tackles, 1 TFLs, 3 INT, 9 pass breakups
S J.R. Reed, R-Jr.: 79 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 INT, 5 pass breakups
OLB D'Andre Walker, Sr.: 40 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 12 QB hurries
MT win projection: 2.2%
MT vs. FAU*
Date: Sept. 29
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: STADIUM/Facebook
Following a bye, Middle Tennessee's Conference USA slate will start against defending league champion FAU, and it's one of three tough challenges to begin league play. It will be the 15th meeting between them all-time, with the Blue Raiders holding an 11-3 advantage.
If MT is going to come away victorious, it will have to find a way to contain FAU second-year head coach Lane Kiffin's offense behind running back Devin Singletary. The junior has a new offensive coordinator in Charlie Weis Jr. (the youngest coordinator in NCAA history at 25), but he's still the favorite to win a second straight C-USA MVP.
Singletary sliced the Blue Raiders for 133 yards and four touchdowns in the 38-20 win last season, but it was his team's defense that ultimately led to the win. The Owls intercepted three MT passes and registered two sacks.
Senior linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, a 2017 First Team C-USA selection, leads a large group of returners, including most of the defensive starters from a year ago. Middle Tennessee will have to find a way to control the ball against the nation's second-best intercepting team and having quarterback Brent Stockstill under center could help. He missed last season's matchup while recovering from injury as did receiver Richie James.
FAU 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 40.6 (8th NCAA) PPG defense: 22.7
Passing YPG: 213.1 Pass defense: 230.7
Rushing YPG: 285.3 (6th) Rush defense: 158.9
TO margin: +13 (T-6th) Interceptions: 20 (T-2nd)
Key Players, 2017 stats
RB Devin Singletary, Jr.: 301 rushes, 1,920 yards (4th), 32 TDs (1st), 2,118 all-purpose yards
QB De'Andre Johnson, R-Jr.: Former Florida State three-star, frontrunner to take over at QB
LB Azee Al-Shaair, R-Sr.: 147 tackles (3rd, 1st C-USA), 11.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
LB Rashad Smith, Jr.: 99 tackles, 12 TFLs, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble
S Jalen Young, Sr.: 77 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 7 INT (T-2nd), 8 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
MT win projection: 53.1%
MT at Marshall
Date: Oct. 5 (Friday)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: CBS SN
If Middle Tennessee is going to get over the hump against Marshall, it will have to be sharper than a season ago when the Thundering Herd traveled to Murfreesboro and left a 38-10 winner on national television. It was the second win in a row for Marshall in the series, which it leads all-time 5-2.
As was the case last season, the contest will be a Friday night affair. The Blue Raiders will have to play better under the Herd lights than their own, most notably on offense, where they accounted for just 273 yards and had two turnovers in last year's loss without quarterback Brent Stockstill.
The Thundering Herd and nine-year head coach Doc Holiday will throw out a roster packed with veterans, though they'll have to find a way to replace quarterback Chase Litton. Nine defensive starters, the entire offensive line, the top two running backs and three of the top four receivers from a season ago will return.
Following FAU with a road contest at Marshall will be tough for MT, and it doesn't get much easier the next week, either.
Marshall 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 26.7 PPG defense: 19.9 (17th NCAA)
Passing YPG: 239.6 Pass defense: 220.5
Rushing YPG: 140.2 Rush defense: 121.2
Sacks allowed: 11 (4th) Sacks: 32
Key players, 2017 stats
RB Tyler King, R-So.: 158 rushes, 820 yards, 7 TD, 1,494 all-purpose yards
RB Keion Davis, R-Sr.: 179 rushes, 812 yards, 6 TD, 992 all-purpose yards
WR Tyre Brady, R-Sr.: 62 receptions, 942 yards, 8 TD
LB Chase Hancock, R-Sr.: 128 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass breakups
CB Chris Jackson, JR: 62 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, .5 sack, 3 INT, 10 pass breakups
MT win projection: 30.6%
RB Keion Davis, R-Sr.: 179 rushes, 812 yards, 6 TD, 992 all-purpose yards
WR Tyre Brady, R-Sr.: 62 receptions, 942 yards, 8 TD
LB Chase Hancock, R-Sr.: 128 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass breakups
CB Chris Jackson, JR: 62 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, .5 sack, 3 INT, 10 pass breakups
MT win projection: 30.6%
MT at Florida International
Date: Oct. 13
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: BEIN Sports
A tough three-game stretch to start league play for Middle Tennessee ends with a road contest at Florida International, against whom the Blue Raiders are looking for their fourth straight win and 10th in 14 meetings.
In Butch Davis' first year at FIU in 2017, he turned the regularly underwhelming Panthers into a bowl team for the third time and first since 2011. They set a school record with eight wins, though one didn't come against MT. The Blue Raiders welcomed the Panthers for homecoming and left with a 37-17 win.
While it was a magical first season for Davis, he and the Panthers will have to replace a lot to get back to that level in 2018. They don't return any of their top skill position players on offense nor their top four tacklers on defense, though they do sport the top-ranked recruiting class in the conference, according to 247Sports.com.
If Middle Tennessee can take advantage of a young FIU bunch, it can finish the first half of the season with momentum heading into a more favorable second half.
FIU 2017 stats that matter
PPG: 27.54 PPG defense: 26.54
Passing YPG: 239.69 Pass defense: 237.08
Rushing YPG: 163.2 Rush defense: 167.2
Red zone offense: 40-41, 97.6% (1st NCAA)
Key players, 2017 stats
RB Shawndarrius Phillips, Jr.: 98 carries, 453 yards, 4 TD
RB Napoleon Maxwell, R-Sr.: 70 carries, 425 yards, 5 TD, 6.1 yards per carry
DE Fermin Silva, Sr.: 45 tackles, 14 TFLs, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble
DL Anthony Johnson, R-Sr.: 37 tackles, 7 TFLs, 6 sacks
QB James Morgan, GS: Transfer from Bowling Green expected to be named starter
MT win projection: 64.5%
(SECOND HALF BREAKDOWN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW MORNING)
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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