MTSU Blue Raiders 2024 College Football Preview
Posted June 8, 2024
2023 Recap
Record – 4-8
ATS – 4-8
The Blue Raiders stumbled out of the gate losing five of their first six games and that was just too much to overcome. They emerged victorious in two of their final three contests but ended up with a losing record for the 3rd time in five seasons. MTSU had become a very consistent 7-8 win program but things started to come off the rails. The hope is that new HC Derek Mason can change the energy around Murfreesboro and get them back on the winning track.
MTSU Blue Raiders 2024 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Blue Raiders didn’t accomplish much on the ground LY (#97 rush offense) but they had success from time-to-time thru the air (#33) behind the arm of QB Nicholas Vattiato (3,092, 23-13 TD to INT). There were too many INTs on the stat sheet but Vattiato has every reason to improve in 2024. MTSU returns their top-two RBs (Jaiden Credle, Frank Peasant) and they have a pair of legit targets in the THROW GAME in all-Universe TE/WR Holden Willis (697, 5 TD LY) and Auburn (!) transfer Omari Kelly who was the best WR on the team as soon as he arrived on campus. The offensive line is a major concern as they only return one starter but the Blue Raiders added a potential starting LT in Shamar Crawford (Independence CC) and a lot of BEEF thru the portal. We’ll note Ellis Adams (361 pounds) as just one shining example of how MTSU is trying to get more physical up front.
DEFENSE
There’s a lot of construction work to get done on this side of the football as MTSU lost a ton of production from last year’s defense including their top-two tacklers and stud DE Quindarius Dunnigan who booked 10 TFL and 3 sacks in 2023. The defensive line looks very questionable heading into fall camp but the LB corps should be fine with Parker Hughes and Devyn Curtis leading the way. There will be some new faces in the secondary but MTSU has a couple of steady pieces to rely upon in CB Tyrell Raby and safety Marvae Myers. If the Blue Raiders wanna make a run at a bowl game they’ll have to find a way to get to the QB (24 sacks LY, #82) and create more turnovers (16, #86).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Blue Raiders were an average bunch on special teams LY but they return a pair of seniors in the kicking game in PK Zeke Rankin (10/14 FG LY) and punter Trey Turk.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – DANGER! DANGER! MTSU is almost certain to begin the campaign with a record of 1-4 and they face all the BIG ‘UNS in CUSA (Jacksonville St, WKU, Liberty). On a positive note, their final two games are against New Mexico St (H) and Florida International (A), so it’s not unthinkable they could make a late push for a bowl bid.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at UTEP (Nov 2)
This will be their 3rd road game in four weeks (4th in five games overall) and they’ve gotta deal with the altitude in El Paso whilst facing the emerging JUGGERNAUT that is the UTEP Miners.
Season Win Total
Market consensus June 8
Over 4.5 -105
Under 4.5 -130
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
We’d probably go ‘over 4’ or ‘under 5’, and here we are sitting at ‘4.5’ in the marketplace. Our SEASON WIN TOTAL HOTTIES on staff will keep a keen eye out for a rogue number over the next few months and let you know if we get down on some SWEET ACTION.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
HC Derek Mason led Vanderbilt (!) to a pair of bowl appearances (2016, 2018) and that’s an accomplishment likely never to be repeated by any mere mortal for the remainder of human history **.
The last time the Blue Raiders won a conference title was back in 2006 when they shared the Sun Belt Championship with Troy.
** FACT CHECK: That sounds legit.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
It’s great to see some excitement down in Murfreesboro as they’ve got a new head coach and one of the best QBs in the conference. We’re not too thrilled about the defense and the schedule isn’t kind so we’ll call for five wins and a better brand of football than what we saw in 2023. Go Blue Raiders!