Tag: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Middle Tennessee names Derek Mason as next head coach

Derek Mason returns to the coaching ranks after a season on SEC Network.

On Wednesday the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders announced its next head coach of their football program. Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason will once again run a team in the state of Tennessee.

For the last year, Mason has been a member of the SEC Network. Before joining the network, he served as the defensive coordinator of the Oklahoma State Cowboys for the 2022 campaign.

Mason has a career head coaching record of 27-55 with a bowl record of 0-2, all of which came as the head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores. After six-plus seasons with the Commodores, Mason was fired eight games into the 2020 season after going winless in each of those games. His best record came in the 2016 and 2018 seasons after finishing with identical 6-7 (3-5 in SEC play) records. In both years Vanderbilt was unable to win their postseason game.

Mason replaces Rick Stockstill, who served as the Middle Tennessee head coach for the past 18 seasons. He combined a record of 113-111. He didn’t win more than eight games since joining Conference USA in 2013. The best season came in 2009 when Stockstill and the Blue Raiders finished 10-3 and won the New Orleans Bowl.

Mason has a plethora of experience at the JUCO, FCS, FBS, and NFL level. He is now tasked with turning around an Middle Tennessee program that has played as close to .500 as you can over the last 18 years.

With the Blue Raiders filling their vacancy, there are only five opening left at the FBS level with Duke being the only Power Five job still seeking it’s replacement for Mike Elko. James Madison, New Mexico, Nevada, and Tulane should have new coaches in the near future as well.

Colorado State vs Utah State: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams head to Utah to face the Aggies for CSU’s first conference game of the year. Here’s how the Rams can continue their winning streak.

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Colorado State vs Utah State: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams are in Utah to face the Aggies

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Can the Rams win 3 in a row?

WEEK 4: Colorado State Rams (2-2, 0-0 MW) vs. Utah State Aggies (2-3, 0-1 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, October 7th — 6:00 p.m. MST / 5:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Maverik Stadium; Logan, UT (25,513)

WEATHER: Clear Sky, high of 72 degrees

TV: MW Network

RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM (Colorado)

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 79th matchup between these two schools. Colorado State leads the series 39-37-2.

LAST MEETING: Utah State won 17-13 in Fort Collins last season.

WEBSITES: CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website | UtahStateAggies.com, the official Utah State athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | Utah State

ODDS: Colorado State -2.5

OVER/UNDER: 62.5

SP+ PROJECTION: Utah State by 3.4

FEI PROJECTION: Utah State by 5.7

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: Colorado State 54.39% win probability (31.20 to 29.55)

Colorado State heads to Logan, Utah to face the Aggies in the Rams first Mountain West game of the year. CSU is coming off a strong, but still disappointing 41-20 win over FCS Utah Tech. And now they turn their attentionto 8 straight weeks of conference play

Utah State is led by Blake Anderson in his 3rd season at the helm. Cooper Legas gets the nod under center, with McCae Hillstead out with a concussion. Davon Booth, Rahsul Faison, Jalen Royals, and Terrell Vaughn are the big threats on offense. MJ Tafisi and Ike Larsen are the ones to watch on defense.

Now onto some keys to victory for the Rams.

Three Keys to a colorado state victory

1. Run the dang ball, Bobo!

The key is written jokingly, but it’s something the Rams need to figure out. They are bottom 5 in the country in rushing offense per game at 71 yards per game. The air raid is a passing offense, but Jay Norvell likes to throw in the run as a wrinkle to keep defenses honest.

The Rams have good running backs in Avery Morrow (still out with injury) and Kobe Johnson, who is expected back this week. The Rams OL has gotten better at pass protection, but if CSU wants to keep growing the Rams must get better at run blocking.

2. Complete 60 minute game

The Rams have not played a complete 60 minutes in any game this year. They laid an egg against Washington State before doing something in the second half. The ran roughshod over Colorado in the first half before playing back and letting the Buffs come back for the win. Against Middle Tennessee, the Rams woke up in the second half. And against Utah Tech, the Rams let them get within one point before going on a 20-0 run to end the game.

Against Utah State, who has the same struggles, the Rams have a chance to show they can be a true force in the Mountain West. Play a complete game in all phases (passing, running, defense, and special teams) and make the other teams respect you.

3. Defense needs to step up

What was a strength of the team last season, has turned into a nightmare. Games are closer than they should be. Tackles are being missed. Holes are being left open everywhere. This Rams defense needs to take a look in the mirror and decide what kind of defense they actually want to be.

This doesn’t mean the talent isn’t there. Mohamed Kamara, Jack Howell, Chigozie Anusiem, and others are good players, but they haven’t been able to put it together as a team. This is the Rams chance to do so and make Rams fans remember last years defense.

what will happen

CSU comes out with a fire. Utah State starts slow and the Rams will take advantage. The Aggies will make a little comeback, but it will be too little, too late as Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi tears apart the Aggie defense with Tory Horton and Dallin Holker.

Final Score: Colorado State 42, Utah State 31

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Colorado State vs Middle Tennessee: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

CSU heads to Tennessee looking to avoid a let down against the Blue Raiders. Here’s how they can do that and get their first win of the year

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Colorado State vs Middle Tennessee: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams head east to face the Blue Raiders.

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Can the Rams get out of the starting block?

WEEK 4: Colorado State Rams (0-2) vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-2)

WHEN: Saturday, September 23rd — 5:00 p.m. MST / 4:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium; Boulder, CO (30,788)

WEATHER: Partly Cloudy, high of 78 degrees

STREAMING: ESPN+

RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM (Colorado)

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 2nd matchup between these two schools. Middle Tennessee leads the series 1-0.

LAST MEETING: Middle Tennessee won 34-19 in Fort Collins last season.

WEBSITES: CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website | GoBlueRaiders.com, the official Middle Tennessee athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | Middle Tennessee

ODDS: Middle Tennessee -3

OVER/UNDER: 52.5

SP+ PROJECTION: Middle Tennessee by 6.3

FEI PROJECTION: Middle Tennessee by 5.5

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: Colorado State 51.61% win probability (27.02 to 26.42)

Colorado State heads to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to face the Blue Raiders. The are coming off a deflating loss to Colorado in the Rocky Mountain Showdown that they could’ve won. Now it’s up to the Rams to keep their heads up and not let last week affect them.

Middle Tennessee is led by Rick Stockstill in his 18th season at the helm. The Blue Raiders offense is led by Nick Vattiato under center, Jaiden Credle in the backfield, and a large wide receiver in Jeremy Tate. The defense is led by LB Sam Brumfield and S Jakobe Thomas.

Now onto some keys to victory for the Rams.

Three Keys to a colorado state victory

1. No Let Down!

Colorado State is coming off of one of their better performances in a couple seasons. It didn’t result in a win, but it showed they can be a team who can compete. They took it to Colorado in a rivalry game and went to 2OT as a 24 point underdog.

Now, the Rams have to stay up and show they can keep going. Take the lessons learned from the loss and move forward. You can’t get too high and you can’t get too low. Take it one play at a time. It’s all cliché, but it’s true. CSU has to be ready to play and they must forget about last week.

2. Get the run game going

CSU Head Coach Jay Norvell runs the air raid offense, but he also likes to mix in the run to keep defenses honest. They got 100 yards against Colorado, but it wasn’t easy. The Rams ran the ball 39 times for 102 yards for a 2.6 yard average with a long run of 13 yards.

The Rams brought in North Dakota State transfer Kobe Johnson and returned last years leading rusher Avery Morrow. They played a stout defense against Wazzu, but couldn’t really find room against Colorado. Against Middle Tennessee they have a chance to reestablish the run game that helped them last season.

3. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure

Rams defensive coordinator Freddie Banks relies on the front four to get pressure as he rarely blitzes. The front four has been good so far for the Rams this year combining for six of the Rams seven sacks. They need to keep up the pressure.

Mohamed Kamara has three of the previously mentioned six sacks. However, he is going to miss the first half of this game due to being ejected for targeting against Colorado. It’s up to the rest of the Rams front to keep up the pressure in his abscence.

what will happen

The Rams won’t let last week get them down. They’ll use it as fuel for the rest of the year as an example of what they can do. The Blue Raiders will keep this close early, but Colorado State will find their grove through both phases of the game and pull away in the end.

Final Score: Colorado State 42, Middle Tennessee 24

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Middle Tennessee vs. Colorado State: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The CSU Rams open up Fort Air Raid at home for the first time. We look at three keys for the Rams to walk out with a victory.

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Middle Tennessee vs. Colorado State: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

Fort Air Raid opens up at home for the first time.

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

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Can the Rams bring the fans back to Canvas?

WEEK 2: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0-1) vs. Colorado State Rams (0-1)

WHEN: Saturday, September 10th — 2:00 p.m. MST / 1:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Canvas Stadium; Fort Collins, CO (36,500)

WEATHER: Overcast with chance for rain, high of 59 degrees

TV: Evoca TV/Local3 (Colorado only)

STREAMING: MW Network

RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM

SERIES RECORD: This will be the first ever matchup between these two schools.

LAST MEETING: First Meeting

WEBSITES: GoBlueRaiders.com, the official Middle Tennessee athletics website | CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Middle Tennessee | Colorado State

ODDS: Colorado State -11

OVER/UNDER: 57

SP+ PROJECTION: Colorado State by 3.5

FEI PROJECTION: Colorado State by 3.2

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: Colorado State with a 63.79% chance to win (28.03-23.12)

The Rams kicked off a new era under new head coach Jay Norvell. It wasn’t the prettiest affair, losing 51-7 to then No. 8-ranked Michigan, but you could tell there was something different about this team. There were moments where you could really see the changes on this Rams team and that they just need that one moment to break through.

This week, they host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the first home game of the Norvell era. It’s almost like looking in the mirror for the Rams as Middle Tennessee also runs an air raid offense and use a 4-2-5 defensive formation.

Because of the similarities between the teams, Colorado State is going to have the first-team offense and the first-team defense going against each other more in practice because they are facing two similar teams to them in the next two games, according to Kevin Lytle of the Coloradoan.

Now to the keys to victory for the Rams.

Colorado State Football: First Look At The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

Three Keys to a colorado state victory

1. Give the QB more time.

When Clay Millen had time against Michigan (which was not very often) he had the time to relax and go through his progressions. Against Middle Tennessee, the Rams offensive line will need to provide him with more time if they want the offense to move along as Jordan Ferguson for the Blue Raiders will not let them off easy.

The Rams only managed 219 yards of offense and one touchdown. And that is not a normal day for a Jay Norvell offense. The Rams offense needs more touches. From Tory Horton and Melquan Stovall at receiver to A’Jon Vivens and Avery Morrow in the backfield, it all starts with the offensive line providing the necessary time to set up plays.

2. Open the offense up.

This goes along with the first key. The Rams had a gameplan to get out of Ann Arbor safely and were trying to combat the athletic advantage Michigan had on them. This week we should see more of the offense that the air raid can be, the offense that was brought into to reinspire this CSU fan base.

We saw a glimpse of what could be when Clay Millen hit Tory Horton for a 34 yard touchdown pass to keep the Rams from being shut out. Now we need to see more of that, as well as getting more Rams involved. Dante Wright didn’t see a target, Tanner Arkin only caught one pass, and the passing game played second fiddle to the run game. The time is now to show what this offense can really do.

3. Pressure. Pressure. Pressure.

The Blue Raiders laid an egg against James Madison and former Rams QB Todd Centeio last week, only managing 119 total yards of offense. It was mostly an offensive blitz from the Dukes but their defense was no slouch, either, as they ended the day with four sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

The Rams want their front four to provide the majority of their pressure. Now is the time to unleash whatever aggression they may be holding onto. Mohamed Kamara had the lone sack for the Rams last week. He and CJ Onyechi need to get their motors running, along with the rest of the defensive line, and get after the Blue Raiders.

what will happen

Two teams that didn’t look like they did much last week. But you wouldn’t see that if you watched both games. CSU looked the better squad and Middle Tennessee looked uninspired. The Blue Raiders are going to come out and look to make up for last week, but the Rams will be on the ball and get Fort Air Raid started off on the right foot at home.

Final Score: Colorado State 45, Middle Tennessee 28

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Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Breakdown, Key Games, Players

Middle Tennessee College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Middle Tennessee season with what you need to know and keys to the season.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview
Head Coach: Rick Stockstill
17th year at Middle Tennessee, 101-98
2021 Preview: Overall: 7-6, Conference: 4-4
Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Middle Tennessee Top 10 Players | Schedule

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview 2022

It got bleak for a little while.

Middle Tennessee had been chugging along under longtime head coach Rick Stockstill with winning seasons and bowl games the norm. And then came an off year in 2019 going 4-8, followed up by an 0-4 start in a 3-6 2020.

2-4 to start 2021, the program was saved by a lovely run of some of the easiest teams in the FBS to play, and the season turned around, there was a bowl appearance, and a slightly-stunning win over Toledo made it a 7-6 season with things starting to look back to normal.

But now it’s time to start doing more.

Conference USA was gutted by the Sun Belt – losing Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss. More will be bolting next year to the American Athletic Conference – Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, UTSA – and that leaves the league a shell of its former self for the 2023 season.

Middle Tennessee was on the verge of leaving for the MAC, but it’s staying around, and so is FIU, Louisiana Tech, UTEP, and WKU, to go along with the addition of Jacksonville State, Liberty, New Mexico State, and Sam Houston State.

What does this mean? It makes this a make-or-break season for the program.

Conference USA will be there for the taking, and Stockstill has to prove after 16 seasons going into 2022 that everything is on track for his Blue Raiders to be the star.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview 2022: Offense

The offense has to be far, far better. 12th in Conference USA and 96th overall, the Blue Raiders averaged just 362 yards per game, but cranked up the points against the bad teams averaging 30 per game. There was no running game, and the downfield passing attack didn’t exist. However …

The offense gets its guy back. Chase Cunningham was having a nice season throwing for over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns with just three picks in eight games, but he was knocked out with a leg injury.

Nicholas Vattiato balled out and won three of the last four games – including the bowl – after giving up five picks in the loss to WKU. Now the Blue Raiders have a strong QB situation.

Leading receiver Jaylin Lane returns after rolling for 528 yards and four touchdowns on 42 catches, and Yusuf Ali is a nice midrange receiver who made 45 grabs. The transfer portal is bringing in help at tight end, and again, getting Cunningham back will make everyone better.

The Blue Raiders used a whole lot of parts for the running game, but leading rusher Martell Pettaway only gained 372 yards. He’s done, but sophomore Frank Peasant is experienced enough to take over. It’ll be a rotation of young, quick backs behind him.

The offensive line was decent in pass protection but now it has to start doing more for the ground attack. The problem is that the front five is all but starting over. There’s bulk around all-star center Jordan Palmer, but it’s going to take a little while.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview 2022: Defense

The defense might not have always been great, but that thing took the ball away in bunches. Middle Tennessee led the nation with 32 takeaways, led Conference USA in tackles for loss, and was decent enough to save the season.

However, there are some massive talent losses losing mainstay star safety Reed Blankenship, heart-and-soul LB DQ Thomas, and second-leading tackler Greg Grate. In all, the top four tacklers are gone and five-pick corner Quincy Riley is off to Louisville, but …

The defensive front should be okay on the inside. All four starters are expected back on the line – starting with all-star pass rusher Jordan Ferguson – and with a nice rotation at tackle.

The back seven will need more time. There’s no replacing what Blankenship and Thomas brought, but Johnathan Butler is a good tackler in the middle of the linebacking corps and Teldrick Ross should be among the best defensive backs in the conference when he comes back healthy.

Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Middle Tennessee Top 10 Players | Schedule

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats NEXT

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Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Top 10 Players: College Football Preview 2022

Who are the top 10 Middle Tennessee players going into the 2022 college football season?

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview 2022: Who are the top 10 players going into the season?

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Preview
Offense, Defense Breakdown
Keys To The Season | Schedule
Season Prediction, What Will Happen  

College Football News Preview 2020: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing and predicting the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Middle Tennessee Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 4-8 overall, 3-5 in C-USA
Head Coach: Rick Stockstill, 15th year, 91-86
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 117
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 107
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 99

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Offense 3 Things To Know

– It’s not that the Middle Tennessee offense was totally miserable, but 1) third down conversions were a major issue, which meant 2) time of possession was a HUGE problem, which 3) wasn’t enough to make up for a defense that couldn’t get off the field, and that 4) led to s great inexcusable losses.

Beat bad North Texas and Rice teams – instead of losing to each one by three – and 6-6 with a bowl appearance would’ve made the season look and feel a whole lot different.

CFN in 60 Video: Virginia Tech Preview
Virginia Tech at Middle Tennessee, Sept. 19
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– The offensive line was fine considering it got hammered by injuries. Four starters are expected back around 6-2, 275-pound senior Will Gilchrist at left tackle, but there’s not a ton of beef across the front to blast away. Even so, this group can run block – and the runners are there to take advantage of it.

The Blue Raiders averaged 172 yards per game, but no running back got to 300 yards on the season. 237-pound junior Chaton Mobley and quick backs Jayy McDonald and Brand Anderson return, but they combined for under 600 yards.

In comes former four-star recruit Amir Rasul from Florida State, and ready to roll right away is West Virginia transfer Martell Pettaway. Rasul only got 49 carries in his time with the Noles, but Pettway has the upside to be the feature back.

However …

– QB Asher O’Hara is the real rushing star. The junior had a terrific year throwing the ball, but his 1,058 yards and nine scores on the ground carried the offense. Randall Johnson is gone to the transfer portal, but main backup Chase Cunningham returns – he has enough time logged in to be okay if needed.

Ty Lee is gone from the receiving corps, and fourth-leading yardage receiver Zack Dobson is in the transfer portal, but senior Jarrin Pierce is back after leading the way with 562 yards and four scores. 6-5, 226-pound senior Jimmy Marshall is back after leading the team with six touchdowns on 35 catches for 513 yards.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Defense 3 Things To Know

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