2010 Middle Tennessee Football Predictions
Middle Tennessee capped off a strong 2009 season with an impressive win over Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl
. The Blue Raiders wound up finishing the season at 10-3 overall and finished second in the Sun Belt conference at 7-1. This year the Blue Raiders will look to make even more noise, as they return 15 starters for the 2010 season. For those of you looking to get an early preview of the Blue Raiders, here is a quick breakdown of what they will send out to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my prediction on where they finish the year in the Sun Belt Conference.
Offense:
Middle Tennessee had a bit of an offensive explosion in 2009, as they improved their scoring average to 32 points a game. With eight starters back on this side of the ball, the Blue Raiders will look to improve even more this season.
It will all start with senior quarterback Dwight Dasher, who completed nearly 55% of his passes for 2,789 yards with 23 touchdown tosses to just 14 interceptions. Not only can Dasher beat you with his arm, but this kid can run the ball as well, as he led the Blue Raiders in rushing in 2009 with 1,154 yards and 13 touchdowns. Pretty safe to say that the Blue Raiders need a healthy Dasher to compete in 2010.
The Blue Raiders would like to see the actual running backs get more involved this season, the hope is that senior running back Phillip Tanner will come into the season healthy and put up numbers closer to his 2008 numbers where he rushed for 714 yards.
Dasher will have to do without two of his top three playmakers in the passing game, as the only starter back with more than 25 catches is senior wide out Garrett Andrews, who finished second on the team with 35 catches for 530 yards and four scores. Juniors Shane Blissard and Sancho McDonald will be asked to step up their game this season, and the Blue Raiders are also high on sophomore Tavarres Jefferson, who saw limited playing time as a freshman.
A key to a good offense is a strong offensive line, and the Blue Raiders figure to have one of the best offensive lines in the conference this season with four of five starters back from the 2009 season. Senior Chris Hawkins will likely make his way into the starting lineup at center, where he has started twice in his career at Middle Tennessee.
Defense:
Up front on the defensive line the Blue Raiders will return senior defensive end Jamari Lattmore and senior defensive tackle Dwight Smith. Lattemore finished with 5.5 sacks and an interception last season, and is being regarded by many as one of the top ends in the Sun Belt this season. With the additions of senior defensive tackle Gary Tucker and senior defensive end Jarrett Crittenton to the starting lineup, the Blue Raiders should have one of the top defensive lines in the conference this season.
The only starter back at linebacker is senior strong-side linebacker Antwan Davis, but the coaches have been raving about the two new starters who are expected to make their way into the starting lineup this season in red-shirt freshman middle linebacker Stephen Roberts and sophomore weak-side linebacker Justin Jones.
The Blue Raiders don't figure to lose any ground in the secondary this year, as they have three starters back and this unit also figures to be one of the best in the conference in 2010. Seniors Jeremy Kellem and Kevin Brown will form a dangerous duo at the two safety positions, and senior Rod Issac is considered to be one of the top corners in the Sun Belt this season. Overall the Blue Raiders should have the best defense of any team in the conference in 2010.
Sun Belt Prediction - 1st: The Blue Raiders are hands down the most balanced team heading into the 2010 season, as they have the best offensive player in the conference in Decker and a defense that should have no problem keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard. The only real competition the Blue Raiders figure to have for the title is 2009 winner Troy, but the Blue Raiders get them at home this season, so they should have a clear path to their first ever Sun Belt Championship.
For a complete look at how the conference will finish up this season, check out Jimmy Boyd's
2010 Sun Belt Predictions.
If you are planning on betting the
college football odds this season, be sure to stop back each week for our expert
college football picks.
2010 Middle Tennessee Football Predictions
By: Jimmy Boyd
2010 Western Kentucky Football Predictions 2010 Florida Atlantic Football Predictions 2010 Louisiana Football Predictions 2010 Arkansas State Football Predictions 2010 Akron Football Predictions 2010 Temple Football Predictions 2010 Nothern Illinois Football Predictions 2010 Idaho Football Predictions Liverpool Football Tickets Fantasy Football - Easy Step to Play It ! Everyone To Buy Football Jerseys What You Get From Football Is More Than Just Excitement Does Age Matter In Football?