Marcus Miller is down. Has been starting at center tonight. Someone you really need up front in the starting five

A good starting place. Upwards!

3 and out for Kennesaw State. Middle Tennessee starts the drive at their 20 after a touchback

Brian Stewart continues to roll with a five man front. 2 DT/1 SDE/2 EDGE

yea we are done

SAFETY

Jekail Middlebrook never stood a chance and was blown up five yards deep in the end zone to give KSU their first two points.

Kennesaw State: 2
Middle Tennessee: 0
9:40 1Q

Defense stands tall and stops Kennesaw State at the half-yard line

I feel so bad for the players who decided to stick around and thought this "wasn't a rebuild" and that MT could contend this year....

Kennesaw State kicks off their drive with runs outside of 60 and 13 yards. 5 man defensive front to start

LOL

Holden picks up a first down, but the offense stalls and the Blue Raiders will punt. 41 yards to pin the Owls at their 19

Watching on TV, seems to be dozens in the crowd tonight.

AustinLewis said:

I'm inclined to agree with this.

Derek Mason didn't forget defense overnight. Same for Stewart. Their system is definitely more pro-oriented and needs bigger guys to run effectively. The question for me is why they aren't adjusting.

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We share the same question

AustinLewis said:

At this level (G5), if I liked odd fronts, I'd probably base out of 4-3 under. Present as 4-3 but function as 3-4 with one gap principles.

Nickel would be 4-2-5...may even create some sort of hybrid SS / LB guy to buzz.

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Thats what I think as well. Teams playing true odd fronts and 2-gap really need a NT that can consistently demand a double team and 2 LB that can take on OL blocks 1 on 1. I get philosophy, but given our personnel I think we should look like a 4-2-5 with 1 gap principles, press coverage on the outside and a 2 high safety look as our base D. Theoretically, we can walk Harris down in run support and we should have speed with the 4 other DBs to open up pressure opportunities.

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sWiley said:

We would have missed out on a ton of revenue by leaving then from all the schools that left.

We've since collected that revenue along with extra NCAA credits that should be expiring soon from our victories 7ish years ago.

It makes more financial sense to go to the MAC now.

With that being said, I would never sign a GOR with them and I would not lock into any long-term type of situation. Probably just better off staying in CUSA at this time and angling for something with more regional games. In the end I don't think it really matters what conference we are in, we are screwed no matter what.

Just stay/go where we get the most $$$ and focus on us is the only hope in my opinion.

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Agree with young Mr. Wiley. It didn't make financial sense at the time. Very well might now. And I wouldn't even consider it unless the MAC came off the GOR requirement.

You never know in games like this. MTSU has better talent but KSU will 100% want this game more. It means infinitely more to them.

I could easily see MTSU quitting another game if some bad breaks go their way. I've been very, very unimpressed with our LB's outside of Parker Hughes. I could see their TE's having a field day against this defense.

Offensively we just make too many mistakes. You can almost depend on 2-3 turnovers, which is hard to overcome no matter who you're playing. Especially if your a bad team.

I have a small play on KSU +10 (-115) tonight. Nothing meaningful but just to have some action on the game. Hate to bet against MTSU but they're not 10 points better than anybody. Hope I'm wrong and they win by 40 but I don't think so.

AustinLewis said:

Out of curiosity, why would MT pursue MAC now (after losing their 2 of their current top programs) when MT turned down MAC a few years back?

UTEP is gone (or will be). And hopefully UNM / NMSU can let bygones be bygones & go MWC.

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We would have missed out on a ton of revenue by leaving then from all the schools that left.

We've since collected that revenue along with extra NCAA credits that should be expiring soon from our victories 7ish years ago.

It makes more financial sense to go to the MAC now.

With that being said, I would never sign a GOR with them and I would not lock into any long-term type of situation. Probably just better off staying in CUSA at this time and angling for something with more regional games. In the end I don't think it really matters what conference we are in, we are screwed no matter what.

Just stay/go where we get the most $$$ and focus on us is the only hope in my opinion.

BRaiderDave said:

I know I'll catch hell for this but I really don't care. If the MAC loses Toledo and NIU, we need to hook up with WKU and offer a package deal and wrangle a MAC invite. Just my opinion. Whale away at me......

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We had that offer on the table 3 years ago and walked away..I don’t think we relished late night games in western Michigan in Nov and Dec. CUSA paid us some big bucks to stay and I think that helped with the buyout?

BRaiderDave said:

I know I'll catch hell for this but I really don't care. If the MAC loses Toledo and NIU, we need to hook up with WKU and offer a package deal and wrangle a MAC invite. Just my opinion. Wail away at me......

Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, why would MT pursue MAC now (after losing their 2 of their current top programs) when MT turned down MAC a few years back?

UTEP is gone (or will be). And hopefully UNM / NMSU can let bygones be bygones & go MWC.

sWiley said:

3-4 at our level just seems like a terrible idea in my opinion. We are gonna get ran all over with only 3 DL. I much prefer the typical 4-3 front for schools like MTSU

Click to expand...

At this level (G5), if I liked odd fronts, I'd probably base out of 4-3 under. Present as 4-3 but function as 3-4 with one gap principles.

Nickel would be 4-2-5...may even create some sort of hybrid SS / LB guy to buzz.

I know I'll catch hell for this but I really don't care. If the MAC loses Toledo and NIU, we need to hook up with WKU and offer a package deal and wrangle a MAC invite. Just my opinion. Wail away at me......