ESPN CUSA Projections
- By ewglenn
- The Raider Roundup
- 3 Replies
A couple of breaks away from a run:
Middle Tennessee State UniversityHead coach: Derek Mason (second year, 3-9 overall)
2025 projection: 125th in SP+ (130th offense, 109th defense), 5.3 average wins, 3.5 conference wins
In a word, Derek Mason's first year succeeding Rick Stockstill at MTSU was horrendous. The Blue Raiders ranked 131st in SP+ (131st on offense, 122nd on defense) and only finished 3-9 because they won all three of their games that were decided by single digits. Their nine losses came by an average score of 41-17. The passing game was decent, the defense was sporadically able to bend without breaking, and lots of freshmen got experience, especially in the trenches. But Mason, the former Vanderbilt head coach, wasn't able to come up with many answers, even if MTSU did operate pretty well in the rare tight game. (Vandy was decent in those situations under Mason, too.) Things felt mostly hopeless.
I'm admittedly not making this sound like a "couple of breaks away" team, am I? Well, that probably says something about how many particularly iffy teams CUSA seems to have this season. But it also says something about what MTSU returns. In a conference full of poor returning production numbers, the Blue Raiders rank a solid 46th nationally, and fourth in CUSA, behind only a team with a new head coach (Kennesaw State) and the two FBS newcomers. Mason brought back both coordinators -- Bodie Reeder on offense, Brian Stewart on defense -- and the Blue Raiders return a solid and experienced quarterback (Nicholas Vattiato), a pair of disruptive defensive tackles (Shakai Woods and Damonte Smith, who combined for 11.5 TFLs and 20 run stops), and a potential all-conference safety in John Howse IV. Mason also found some potential portal gems in running back Rickey Hunt Jr. (Ohio), receiver Amorion Walker (Michigan) and 6-foot-7 tackle Jacob Otts(Rhode Island).
Defensively, I honestly expected a few more transfers. Mason brought in three transfers and two JUCOs in the secondary but mostly let it ride with the front six. Maybe that will pay off if Woods and another promising sophomore, end Anthony Bynum, keep developing. But if a unit takes a bit step forward in 2025, I'm guessing it will be the offense. Regardless, MTSU has a level of continuity and experience that others in the CUSA don't have; maybe that pays off.
Conference USA preview: Liberty is early favorite but contenders abound
The Flames are the team to beat, but Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State (among others) can't be counted out.
I'd expect no less.....
- The Raider Roundup
- 10 Replies
Article on naming the new Student-Athlete Performance Center. First nomination - Stephen Smith.
mtsunews.com
An excerpt if the link doesn't work.
Middle Tennessee State University’s Board of Trustees, in a special meeting Tuesday, May 27, approved a procedure that could lead to the naming of the new Student-Athlete Performance Center at Floyd Stadium, which is set to open this fall.
Alan Thomas, vice president for business and finance, told trustees at the called meeting that the university received a request from former Gov. Bill Haslam and former U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon recommending that the center be named for Trustees Chairman Stephen B. Smith and his wife, Denise.
I'd expect no less of the three amigos to attach their name in some capacity. While I do respect what the Smith family has done, the Smith name is already attached to the baseball stadium. The full article goes into detail about how that would be an obstacle but just the fact alone that it was suggested bothers me. You know McPhee is itching to attach his name to something. He and CM are only deserving of a new refuse center.
Not that we will have and say in the matter but whom should have his/her name attached to it? I myself have one obvious choice and one not so obvious. First would be Boots Donnely. With McPhee having a say in this, it likely doesn't happen, but I feel he deserves it. Quite honestly, he restored Blue Raider football and had some hellacious teams over the years. I am convinced some of his better teams would have whipped a lot of our 1-A teams. Without Boots, football would not have the opportunity to compete at the level it does today.
My off the wall choice would be Diane Cummings Turnham. She has been a faithful employee to the university for close to, or perhaps over 40 years. In that time, she has worn many hats and touched a lot of lives. She has been a positive influence in the community and a great ambassador for not only the university, but in particular women. She isn't in the spotlight much, but often it's the people behind the scenes that are making things happen. While I mentioned Boots first, I honestly think Diane would be my first choice for such an honor.
What are some of your thoughts?
MTSU Board of Trustees clears way for possible naming of new student-athlete center
Middle Tennessee State University’s Board of Trustees, in a special meeting Tuesday, May 27, approved a procedure that could lead to the naming of the new Student-Athlete Performance Center at Floy…
An excerpt if the link doesn't work.
Middle Tennessee State University’s Board of Trustees, in a special meeting Tuesday, May 27, approved a procedure that could lead to the naming of the new Student-Athlete Performance Center at Floyd Stadium, which is set to open this fall.
Alan Thomas, vice president for business and finance, told trustees at the called meeting that the university received a request from former Gov. Bill Haslam and former U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon recommending that the center be named for Trustees Chairman Stephen B. Smith and his wife, Denise.
I'd expect no less of the three amigos to attach their name in some capacity. While I do respect what the Smith family has done, the Smith name is already attached to the baseball stadium. The full article goes into detail about how that would be an obstacle but just the fact alone that it was suggested bothers me. You know McPhee is itching to attach his name to something. He and CM are only deserving of a new refuse center.
Not that we will have and say in the matter but whom should have his/her name attached to it? I myself have one obvious choice and one not so obvious. First would be Boots Donnely. With McPhee having a say in this, it likely doesn't happen, but I feel he deserves it. Quite honestly, he restored Blue Raider football and had some hellacious teams over the years. I am convinced some of his better teams would have whipped a lot of our 1-A teams. Without Boots, football would not have the opportunity to compete at the level it does today.
My off the wall choice would be Diane Cummings Turnham. She has been a faithful employee to the university for close to, or perhaps over 40 years. In that time, she has worn many hats and touched a lot of lives. She has been a positive influence in the community and a great ambassador for not only the university, but in particular women. She isn't in the spotlight much, but often it's the people behind the scenes that are making things happen. While I mentioned Boots first, I honestly think Diane would be my first choice for such an honor.
What are some of your thoughts?
FOOTBALL 15 most important players for 2025
- The Raider Roundup
- 4 Replies
The 2025 college football season is less than 100 days away, which seems like forever, but it’ll be here before we know it.
I’ve put together my 15 most important Blue Raiders for Derek Mason’s second season at the helm.
middletennessee.rivals.com
I’ve put together my 15 most important Blue Raiders for Derek Mason’s second season at the helm.
15 most important Blue Raiders for the 2025 season
Ranking the 15 most important Blue Raiders for the 2025 season
Textbook Brokers Closing
- The Raider Roundup
- 17 Replies
FYI: They are selling all their stuff very cheap and will ship to you.
My kid went over there and got me 3 NIKE hats for $10 each.
mtsu.textbookbrokers.com
My kid went over there and got me 3 NIKE hats for $10 each.
Textbook Brokers - MTSU
mtsu.textbookbrokers.com
