| Middle Tennessee capped off a strong 2009 | | | | his way into the starting lineup at center, where |
| season with an impressive win over Southern Miss | | | | he has started twice in his career at Middle |
| in the New Orleans Bowl. The Blue Raiders wound | | | | Tennessee. |
| up finishing the season at 10-3 overall and finished | | | | Defense: |
| second in the Sun Belt conference at 7-1. This | | | | Up front on the defensive line Middle Tennessee |
| year the Blue Raiders will look to make even | | | | will return senior defensive end Jamari Lattmore |
| more noise, as they return 15 starters for the | | | | and senior defensive tackle Dwight Smith. |
| 2010 season. For those of you looking to get an | | | | Lattemore finished with 5.5 sacks and an |
| early preview of the Blue Raiders, here is a quick | | | | interception last season, and is being regarded by |
| breakdown of what they will send out to the field | | | | many as one of the top ends in the Sun Belt this |
| on both sides of the ball, plus my prediction on | | | | season. With the additions of senior defensive |
| where they finish the year in the Sun Belt | | | | tackle Gary Tucker and senior defensive end |
| Conference. | | | | Jarrett Crittenton to the starting lineup, the Blue |
| Offense: | | | | Raiders should have one of the top defensive |
| Middle Tennessee had a bit of an offensive | | | | lines in the conference this season. |
| explosion in 2009, as they improved their scoring | | | | The only starter back at linebacker is senior |
| average to 32 points a game. With eight starters | | | | strong-side linebacker Antwan Davis, but the |
| back on this side of the ball, the Blue Raiders will | | | | coaches have been raving about the two new |
| look to improve even more this season. | | | | starters who are expected to make their way |
| It will all start with senior quarterback Dwight | | | | into the starting lineup this season in red-shirt |
| Dasher, who completed nearly 55% of his passes | | | | freshman middle linebacker Stephen Roberts and |
| for 2,789 yards with 23 touchdown tosses to | | | | sophomore weak-side linebacker Justin Jones. |
| just 14 interceptions. Not only can Dasher beat | | | | Middle Tennessee doesn't figure to lose any |
| you with his arm, but this kid can run the ball as | | | | ground in the secondary this year, as they have |
| well, as he led the Blue Raiders in rushing in 2009 | | | | three starters back and this unit also figures to be |
| with 1,154 yards and 13 touchdowns. Pretty safe | | | | one of the best in the conference in 2010. Seniors |
| to say that the Blue Raiders need a healthy | | | | Jeremy Kellem and Kevin Brown will form a |
| Dasher to compete in 2010. | | | | dangerous duo at the two safety positions, and |
| Middle Tennessee would like to see the actual | | | | senior Rod Issac is considered to be one of the |
| running backs get more involved this season, the | | | | top corners in the Sun Belt this season. Overall |
| hope is that senior running back Phillip Tanner will | | | | the Blue Raiders should have the best defense of |
| come into the season healthy and put up | | | | any team in the conference in 2010. |
| numbers closer to his 2008 numbers where he | | | | Sun Belt Prediction - 1st: The Blue Raiders are |
| rushed for 714 yards. | | | | hands down the most balanced team heading into |
| Dasher will have to do without two of his top | | | | the 2010 season, as they have the best |
| three play makers in the passing game, as the | | | | offensive player in the conference in Decker and |
| only starter back with more than 25 catches is | | | | a defense that should have no problem keeping |
| senior wide out Garrett Andrews, who finished | | | | opposing teams off the scoreboard. The only real |
| second on the team with 35 catches for 530 | | | | competition the Blue Raiders figure to have for |
| yards and four scores. Juniors Shane Blissard and | | | | the title is 2009 winner Troy, but the Blue Raiders |
| Sancho McDonald will be asked to step up their | | | | get them at home this season, so they should |
| game this season, and the Blue Raiders are also | | | | have a clear path to their first ever Sun Belt |
| high on sophomore Tavarres Jefferson, who saw | | | | Championship. |
| limited playing time as a freshman. | | | | For a complete look at how the conference will |
| A key to a good offense is a strong offensive | | | | finish up this season, check out Jimmy Boyd's |
| line, and the Blue Raiders figure to have one of | | | | 2010 Sun Belt Predictions. |
| the best offensive lines in the conference this | | | | If you are planning on betting the college football |
| season with four of five starters back from the | | | | odds this season, be sure to stop back each |
| 2009 season. Senior Chris Hawkins will likely make | | | | week for our expert college football picks. |
