College Football Picks: Middle Tennessee State Loses Talent But Will Improve In 2011

College Football Picks: Middle Tennessee State loses talent but will improve in 2011
Updated: May 30th, 2011

College Football Picks: Middle Tennessee State loses talent but will improve in 2011
by John JJBeatz Jacobson

Murfreesboro-Last year the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were expected to lead the conference from start to finish. The early suspension of QB Dasher threw the Blue Raiders off balance and they started slow at 2-3. They did manage to win their last 3 conference games to finish 5-3 and made it to another bowl game under Head Coach Stockstill. Looking back at last years team, the glaring problems were two fold, turnover margin and lack of run defense. Although QB Dwight Dasher was a major weapon as a runner and passer, his 18 interceptions in a shortened season were too much to overcome. Too many drives were halted by a fumble or interception. The other problem was a lack of tackling by the front seven. The two starting safeties were 1st and 3rd in tackles which is never a good sign. This year, thanks to graduation, especially on defense, expectations are not as high.
Can Middle Tennessee State get more consistent play at QB? Can their ball carriers hold on to the ball? Can their young defense force some turnovers? These are the questions for the Blue Raiders this year.
For 2011, Head Coach Stockstill promoted two position coaches to coordinator roles this year. OC Willie Simmons and DC Steve Ellis should keep things pretty similar to past years. Vying to replace Dasher at the starting QB position are Sophomore Logan Kilgore and Jr. Jeff Murphy. Both saw action last season. I expected Kilgore to be the starter when the season begins. At RB, Philip Tanner who led the team in rushing with 928 yards and 13 tds will be missed. Jr. Ben Cunningham who Stockstill believes is a leader, is expected to start. He will run behind an offensive line that returns 4 starters with the only loss being 2nd Team All Sun Belt Conference OL Mark Fisher. Although the Blue Raiders lose their best receiver from a year ago, Garret Andrews, the group appears to have plenty of depth.
My Take-The offense will be much better off without Dasher who often killed the spirit of the team with his foolish throws. The offensive line should provide the new QBs good protection and some holes for Cunnighman to run threw. I expect more consistent play from the offense.
The defense was hard hit by graduation. The Blue Raiders were solid against the pass thanks partly due to graduated 1st Team ASBC DE Jamari Lattimore who registered 11 sacks. This year the whole defensive front must be replaced. The linebacker group who lacked production last year loses its leading tackler buy has game experience and will be boosted by the return of some players who sat out last year because of injuries. The secondary lost two excellent safeties who were tackle machines. Jeremy Kellem and Kevin Brown combined for 103 solo tackles last year. One starter at CB returns, Arness Ikner who played in all 13 games last year. Normally the Blue Raiders can be counted on to be solid against the pass. This year without the pressure on the QB and replacing of the secondary, I would expect them to be slightly more vulnerable against the pass.
My Take-The defense failed to force turnovers last year and with less experience in many key positions, the defensive numbers will be towards the middle of the conference.
Special Teams-The placekicker and punter both return

Overall, despite many injuries in the spring and youth on defense, I think more consistent play from QB Kilgore behind a solid line should make MTSU bowl eligible again but finishing behind the Troy Trojans.

John JJBeatz Jacobson
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