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2009 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders NCAA Football Predictions

Written June 30, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders 2009 Predictions The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are hoping that they can rebound from a subpar 2008 season where they finished just 5-7 overall and 3-4 in Sun Belt Conference play. With 16 starters returning to the team in 2009, there is a very good chance that the Blue Raiders can climb back and return to the form of 2006 where they earned a trip to the Motor City Bowl and finished tied for first at 6-1 in conference play.

On offense the Blue Raiders are absolutely loaded with talent from their 2008 team, as they return 10 starters on this side of the ball. The only non returning starter is quarterback Dwight Dasher, but he has started 8 times for the Blue Raiders in his career, including some really solid play in 2007. Dasher has one heck of a supporting cast, as the Blue Raiders return both their leading rushers from 2008 in seniors Phillip Tanner and Desmond Gee, Tanner led the way 714 yards and all 15 of the teams rushing touchdowns. With Dasher not really being the quarterback that can air it out all the time, I think you will see both Tanner and Gee have even better numbers in 2009. Another reason I think the running game is going to be better, is the Blue Raiders return all 5 starters on the offensive line, including the top talents of center Mark Thompson, left guard Jamal Lewis, and right tackle mark Fisher, but look out for left tackle Mike Williams and right guard Brandon McLeroy in years to come as these two are just sophomores after starting last year as freshmen. If Dasher is able to come in and throw the football with success, the Blue Raiders are loaded at the wide receiver position. The Blue Raiders return pretty much every player that was apart of the passing game last year, including the very talented sophomore Malcolm Beyah, who had 33 catches for 550 yards and 6 touchdowns as a true freshman. Everyone on this side of the ball will have to adjust to a slightly new style of offense, as Tony Franklin comes in to run the offense after failing to make things work at Auburn. If Dasher plays up to the level he is capable, this team should have one of the best offenses, if not the best offense in the Sun Belt next season. Bet the Blue Raiders this season at Sportsbook.com.

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On defense the Blue Raiders are strong up front as junior defensive end Emmanuel Perez and junior defensive tackle Dwight Smith return from the 2008 squad, but senior defensive tackle Brandon Perry and junior college transfer Jarrett Crittenton both figure to come in and play at a very high level, and should end up on one of the All-conference teams. Where the Blue Raiders are weak on this side of the ball is at linebacker. The team does return their leading tackler in middle linebacker Danny Carmichael, but will be very inexperienced on the outside with junior Antwan Davis and sophomore Gorby Loreus. The best bunch of players for this unit is in the secondary, as three starters return from 2008, including the junior duo at safety in Kevin Brown and Jeremy Kellem. At corner the Blue Raiders will move junior Rod Issac into the starting spot opposite of senior Alex Suber, after a solid 2008 season where he recorded 32 tackles and an interception in limited action. With a very strong secondary I expect the Blue Raiders to do whatever they can up front to put pressure on the quarterback, and the more pressure they can create the better this defense will play as a whole. Do all your college football betting this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: Tie 3rd in Sun Belt Conference. This team could surprise even me and make a run for 2nd or even first in this conference, but I am not completely sold on Dasher being the man all season long. The Blue Raiders also have a grueling non-confrence schedule this year, and this team can not afford many set backs on the defensive side of things. If Dasher surprises so will the Blue Raiders this season.

For those of you looking to do some NCAA football betting this season, be sure to come back for our expert football predictions, and the very latest college football betting odds at Betfirms.

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