The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders have a father and son combination that is producing a lot of points through the air. Although the running game is a question mark, there is a plethora of offensive talent at the Blue Raiders’ disposal.
Once again, Middle Tennessee State will have one of the nation’s most potent passing attacks. First, their inexperienced offensive line needs to gel. The defense also has eight starters returning for a new coordinator to work with.
The Blue Raiders’ offense should be good enough for some wins all by itself. In 2017, Head coach Rick Stockstill has the ingredients to make noise in Conference USA. His son Brent is back under center to lead the offense. If they fill-up some holes on the defense, Middle Tennessee State will be poised for a conference title run.
Offense
Middle Tennessee State quarterback Brent Stockstill and wide out Richie James are back. Last season they were one of the countries most prolific passing duos. Now, both return as juniors and should break the Blue Raiders career records for passing yards and receiving yards.
Brent Stockstill has put up some gaudy numbers in his time under center with Middle Tennessee State. Altogether, he has passed for 7,279 yards and 61 Touchdowns. He is the son of head coach Rick Stockstill and should be fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.
There is little doubt that he is a leading candidate for Conference USA Player of the Year. Last year, Brent Stockstill led the nation’s 8th best passing offense with over 325 yards a game. The Blue Raiders also were 12th in Division I ball, scoring 39.7 points per contest. Last season, the gunslinger tossed the rock around for over 3,200 yards with 31 touchdowns and only seven picks.
Wide out Richie James is the NCAA active career leader in receptions with 213. He also is second in receiving yards mark with 2,971. He only needs 103 more yards to claim first in that category. In 2016, James reeled in 105 balls for over 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ty Lee and Patrick Smith are also talented receivers as a second option for Brent Stockstill.
A giant hole that needs to be filled for Middle Tennessee State comes at the running back position. The Blue Raiders must replace I’Tavius Mathers’ and his school-record 1,561 rushing yards.
In steps tail back Shane Tucker. Tucker has talent but is injury prone. JMaurice Gordon, a junior college transfer may be the best long-term option. Either way, the running game will only go as far as a rebuilt offensive line will allow.
Defense
Middle Tennessee State must improve their defense which surrendered almost 36 points per game last season. They were especially dysfunctional against the pass, giving up 250 yards per game (94th). The Blue Raiders do have eight of their top nine tacklers returning if that means anything.
The Blue Raiders have all three starting linebackers back to shore up one of Conference USA’s top linebacking units. The team’s leading tackler Chris Melton will hope to improve on his 102 tackles. Complimenting him is Darius Harris. Harris recorded another 8.0 tackles for a loss. Also, playmaker D.J. Sanders had two touchdown interception returns to lead the trio.
The secondary is filled with experience. Four starters are back from 2016’s back half. Unfortunately, they were obliterated at times last season in a bend-but-don’t-break approach. This year, Middle Tennessee State will try to field a more aggressive, attacking defense. Again, the success rests on the Blue Raiders rebuilt defensive line.
Prediction
Coach Rick Stockstill’s offense has been steady so I expect that Middle Tennessee State will be explosive once again. As long as his son Brent Stockstill can stay healthy under center, this team has a great shot at bowl eligibility. In fact, the Blue Raiders have been bowl-eligible in seven of the past eight years.
It does not take a scientist to figure out Middle Tennessee State’s deciding factors. They reside in the trenches. If the Blue Raiders can reload on the offensive line, Brent Stockstill and company will attack the record book.
The inexperienced defensive line needs to grow up fast. If neither of the two happens, Middle Tennessee State could spiral into mediocrity. Either way, the potent offensive weapons should ensure a bowl appearance in 2017.
Las Vegas has the Middle Tennessee State team total at seven. I love that number considering you get that at +100. The Blue Raiders beat Missouri last year, and there are some winnable non-conference games early on. They get Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Minnesota and Bowling Green. A good record in the beginning stretch could set them up for a solid season. A 2–2 split is a reasonable feat. Odds guru also has them at 6 to 1 (+600) to win the Conference USA championship.
Schedule
9-2 vs. Vanderbilt
9-9 @ Syracuse
9-16 @ Minnesota
9-23 vs. Bowling Green
9-30 @ Florida Atlantic
10-7 vs. Florida International
10-14 @ UAB
10-20 vs. Marshall
11-4 vs. UTEP
11-11 @ Charlotte
11-17 @ Western Kentucky
11-25 vs. Old Dominion
The getmoresports.com NCAA College Football Throwdown Podcast will be returning to the air on August 24th. We will be highlighting the first five games on August 26th of the 2017 NCAA College Football season. That will be the first of three installments leading into the first week of the season. We also we will be covering our expectations for the Heisman Trophy front runners as well as predictions for conference winners and team totals.
Our second NCAA College Football Throwdown is penciled in for August 29th. In that installment, we will be discussing all the games that will be played on August 31st and the 1st of September.
Our third segment will officially be airing on August 31st. In this edition of the NCAA College Football Throwdown, we will be covering all the relevant games for Sept 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
Keeping with tradition, EJ the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun will give their predictions for the contests. On top of that, we will be providing our dog play of the podcast as well as cash money plays for the week. Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow
