Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
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2010 Record: 6-7 Sun Belt Record: 5-3 (3rd) 2011 Returning Starters: 12; 7 offense, 3 defense, kicker, punter
Coach: Rick Stockstill, 33-30 (5 years)
Offensive Coordinators: Willie Simmons Defensive Coordinators: Steve Ellis
2011 Middle Tennessee Players to Watch: RB Benjamin Cunningham, WR Malcolm Beyah, OL Mike Williams, DE Omar McLendon, LB Darin Davis, LB Justin Jones, CB Amess Ikner, K Alan Gendreau
2011 Middle Tennessee Strengths:
The offensive line is a salty bunch with the return of four starters. Newcomers also saw extra time in the spring when three starters were out with injuries. Wide receiver has potential, and the linebacking corps looks solid.
2011 Middle Tennessee Weaknesses:
The defensive front four will have all new starters and will likely have two freshmen starting. The run defense was a big liability in 2010, and that could very well be the case again. Quarterback needs to get settled fast. Neither Logan Kilgore nor Jeff Murphy emerged in the spring.
2011 Middle Tennessee Offense:
Quarterback Dwight Dasher is gone, which provides both good and bad news. He was a record-breaking runner/passer, but Dasher was also the major source of MTSU’s 38 turnovers, which led the nation. Logan Kilgore and Jeff Murphy will compete for the starting job, and Willie Simmons was promoted to coordinator in hopes of recharging the up-tempo attack. Four starters return on the offensive line, and proven running backs Ben Cunningham and D.D. Kyles should provide a good mix of rushing and pass-catching in the spread offense. But the offense lacked big plays and a vertical passing game last season. Kilgore’s strong arm can stretch the field, but he needs senior wideouts Sancho McDonald and Malcolm Beyah to finally reach their full potential. Redshirt freshman Reggie Whatley was moved from running back to wideout to add some big-play pop to the receiving corps. Receivers and linemen were ravaged by injuries in the spring, and both need to mend in order to provide strengths for the offense.
2011 Middle Tennessee Defense:
Passion and pressure were missing from last season’s defense, which led to the promotion of excitable assistant Steve Ellis to coordinator. Unfortunately, Ellis inherits only three returning starters and a load of question marks. Recruiting has stockpiled long, athletic linebackers and defensive ends, but they lack experience. Look for Omar McLendon and converted linebacker Gorby Loreus to play well at defensive end, and redshirt freshman Patrick McNeil must clog the middle for a defense gashed by the run a year ago. Senior linebacker Darin Davis is an all-conference-caliber player, but he will need the youngsters around him to step forward. A fall camp knee injury delayed Stephen Roberts’ debut last season, but he could be a difference-maker if he finally gets healthy. Safety Derrick Crumpton and cornerback Arness Ikner give some stability to the secondary. But steady play won’t be good enough. The defense must create turnovers, sacks and big plays to fulfill the longstanding purpose of the scheme.
2011 Middle Tennessee Special Teams:
The kicking game looks to be in good hands thanks to the feet of senior Alan Gendreau, a first-team All-Sun Belt selection, and punter Josh Davis, a second-team pick. Gendreau converted 10 of 12 field-goal attempts and is 38 of 52 in his career. Davis averaged 42.7 yards per boot as a freshman last year, second-best in school history. Senior punter Nathaniel Toulson also is in the picture. Senior Eric Russell averaged 6.8 yards running back punts and 26.3 returning kickoffs.
| 2011 Middle Tennessee Football Schedule | Middle Tennessee Football Sportsbooks |
2011 Middle Tennessee Predictions:
Middle Tennessee has gone to bowls in back-to-back years, but last season was a disappointment because of costly turnovers and an NCAA suspension of Dasher. With tempered expectations and the Dasher drama in the past, don’t be surprised if the Blue Raiders again contend in the Sun Belt race. The Sun Belt slate should be manageable. Aside from an 0–5 mark vs. Troy, Stockstill’s teams have posted a 25–7 record against the rest of the league. Adding a non-conference win over Memphis or season-opening upset of Purdue could yield a third-straight bowl bid. A rare trip to Tennessee is also circled on every Blue Raider fan’s calendar.
2011 Middle Tennessee Betting Odds:
Middle Tennessee Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000
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