2009 Middle Tennessee State Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on June 2, 2009

mtsu-6209 Middle Tennessee State University has enough experience and talent to win a Sun Belt title in 2009, but it will likely have to beat a Troy team on the road that has won at least a share of the league title each of the last three seasons to do so. Jimmy Boyd breaks down the 2009 Blue Raiders in this season preview and also makes his league prediction. Bet NCAA football at Bookmaker!

Offense - The Blue Raiders offense figures to be explosive in 2009 with touted coordinator Tony Franklin calling the shots. Franklin helped league rival Troy win back-to-back Sun Belt title before coaching at Auburn last season. The Blue Raiders return eight offensive starters and a wealth of talent. Patrick Honeycutt, Eldred King, and Malcolm Beyah make up one of the best wide receiver units in the league. These guys all have exceptional hands and great speed. In all, the Blue Raiders return their top nine receivers from last season and the unit gets an added boost from speedy running back Desmond Gee making the move to wideout. Phillip Tanner could be poised for a breakout season at the tailback spot. He will have the luxury of running behind an offensive line returning five regulars and five more backups. The only way for the Blue Raiders to take advantage of their superior receiving corps is if new starting QB Dwight Dasher can deliver. Dasher started seven games in 2007 in a strong freshman campaign but lost the starting job last season. Now the offense is his again and the Raiders will be counting on him to make plays with his dual-threat ability.

Defense – The defense starts with middle linebacker and leading tackler Danny Carmichael. He’ll have to be even better in 2009 to help make up for the big holes left at the other two linebacker spots. Sophomores Darin Davis and Gorby Loreus appear to be the front runners to take the vacant spots. Defensive end should be another strong suit for the Raiders, led by senior Chris McCoy and junior Emmanuel Perez. Expect the very athletic Jamari Lattimore to make plenty of noise as a pass rusher also. Hopes were high for senior defensive tackle Brandon Perry when he set foot on campus, but injuries have kept him from realizing his full potential. If he can remain healthy, I have no doubts that he can be a force up front. When the Blue Raiders need someone to lock down an opposing receiver, they will call on Alex Suber. He is widely regarded as one of the best cover corners in the league. Safety Jeremy Kellem is well versed in the art of creating turnovers as well.

Prediction: 4th Sun Belt – There may be a few growing pains early on for QB Dwight Dasher, but I expect him to be ready to go when conference play hits. He had two 100 yard rushing games in seven starts in 2007 and he figures to be an exciting player to watch again in 2009 with his ability to run and throw. I can’t see the Blue Raiders winning at Troy and that means they will likely fall short of a conference title this season.

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