Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 2018 Football Preview

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 2018 Football Preview

Opening Statement: Injuries kill a season, and the Blue Raiders had plenty of them last fall. Brent Stockstill (QB), Richie James (WR), and all three returning RBs all suffered injuries last fall, and the offense, which is normally dependable, fell apart to finish 71st nationally. If Middle Tennessee is to push FAU in the CUSA East, that issue cannot be repeated. Stockstill returns, but if he can't stay on the field, it won't matter.

Breakdown Offense: Stockstill played in just 8 games last season, and his absence affected the team in severe and negative ways. It's simple...Stockstill stays healthy, they win, if not, they face long odds and normally lose. He passed for 1672 yards last fall, and tossed 16 TDs to 8 INTs. He also fell short in accuracy when on the field, as he completed just 57.7% of his passes. He has to be healthy, and has to be better in 2018. The Blue Raiders also must replace backup QB John Urzua, who has quit football over concussions he has received. He completed 61.8% of his passes when replacing Stockstill last season, but had more INTs (9) than TD passes (7). That job will be a wide open battle in fall camp.

If the Raiders can stay healthy this fall, they may have a 3 deep RB contingent. Tavares Thomas was the best of the bunch, and rushed for 507 yards and 9 scores, averaging 5.45 yards per carry. He is the tank of the group. Brad Anderson returns, and rushed for 491 yards, and averaged 5.52 yards per carry, but never scored in 9 games. Terelle West rushed for 308 yards and 4 scores, and averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 7 games. Again, the key is that this group must stay healthy. An area of concern is that not one member of this group averaged 10 carries per game.

Richie James is gone at WR, but there is some talent left over. Ty Lee returns, as does Patrick Smith. Lee ended up leading the team with 79 receptions for 955 yards and 5 scores last season. Smith caught 29 passes for 329 yards and 2 scores. CJ Windham caught 25 passes last fall, and also returns in the spread offense. Jimmy Marshall, who caught 8 passes, is penciled in as the 4th receiver as we left spring ball. Ruben Garnett caught 5 passes last season, and will be a key reserve. Isaiah Upton and Tavonn Salter add depth.

The Blue Raiders return 3 starters on the line, and this group will have to protect a fragile QB and set of RBs. Carlos Johnson (LT), Robert Behannan (C) and Chandler Brewer (RG) are the returning starters. Angelo Owens (LG) and Amir Luckett (RT) appear penciled in as the new starters. JOsh Fannin is looking for additional reps at C, while Cole Kirby provides some support at the OT spots. Luke Harris (OG) provides support inside.

Breakdown Defense: The Blue Raiders had a respectable defensive season in 2018, finishing 35th nationally in total defense, and 8 starters return, starting with 3 on the line. Walter Brady and Jahmal Jones both return at DE. They combined for 10 TFLs last fall. The staff would like to see them get a bit more aggressive this fall off of the edge. Tyshun Render and Trae Philpots are also in the mix for rotational jobs at DE. Each played in 13 games last fall. Darrius Liggins adds more depth.

Malik Manciel is back at DT this fall. He totaled 5 TFLs as well last season. Jordan Ferguson is the likely starter at the open DT spot as a sophomore. He finished with 5.5 TFLs as a freshman last season in 12 games played. Rakavian Poydras played in 13 games as a freshman last fall, and provides depth along with Ty Nix, who played in 10 games as a freshman last season.

Khalil Brooks and Darius Harris both return to start at LB. Brooks finished with 76 tackles, and led the team with a rock solid 18.5 TFLs last season. He also led the team with 7.5 sacks, and finished with 6 QB hurries. Harris totaled 64 tackles and 7.5 TFLs, while adding 4.5 sacks and 6 PBUs. RS freshman Cody Harris slots in between the 2 returning starters as a freshman, and moves to the LB spot after enrolling as a DB at 187 pounds. He know sits at 227, and has added solid muscle. Caleb Felton and Chris Melton will add depth.

The secondary boasts 3 returning starters this fall, with Jovante Moffett (SS) and Reed Blankenship (FS) returning to cover deep and support in the run defense. Moffett led the team with 101 tackles last fall, while Blankenship added 68 tackles. Wesley Bush serves as the 3rd Safety, but there is little depth after that.

Darryl Randolph is back to start at CB. He totaled just 2 PBUs last fall, and added 48 tackles. Senior OJ Johnson looks to fill the open CB spot, but again, depth is not a thing beyond the starters. Pass defense was the one weaker spot defensively for the Blue Raiders, as they ranked just 64th against the pass, while not ranking lower than 46th in any other area.

Breakdown Special Teams: Canon Rooker has moved on at PK, and will likely be replaced by Crews Holt, who hit his only attempt as a freshman.

Matt Bonadies returns as the Punter, but struggled last fall, averaging just 39.56 yards per punt. Matthew Stephenson is the only other Punter on the roster that could push him in camp.

The KR job is open, and will be filled in fall camp, while Blankenship averaged over 11 yards per return last fall on punts, and will handle that job once again.

Final Analysis: If healthy, the Blue Raiders can make a run for the second or third spot in the CUSA East in 2018, but pushing FAU seems like a reach to me, and even Marshall may have a better edge. The pieces are there, but one problem I have had with this program for years is the constant under performing nature of the program and the staff under Rick Stockstill, who is only 7 games over .500 in 12 years. I just don't see that changing, and to bank on the health of Brent Stockstill at QB is like betting on an Enron comeback. Not safe. He has missed 8 games over the last two seasons. In short, Middle Tennessee could have a solid year, and hit another bowl, but not be in the mix for the CUSA crown.