2018 season: 8-6, 7-1 in C-USA
Head coach: Rick Stockstill (14th season)
After advancing to their first Conference USA title game in 2018, the Blue Raiders come into this year looking to keep the upward trajectory of their program going. Coach Rick Stockstill has quietly been building a strong program in Murfreesboro with bowl appearances in five of the last six years.
The team will get to see some new blood this year, however, as conference MVP and quarterback Brent Stockstill ended his career as the school’s all-time leading passer. Coach Stockstill will try to replace his son with JUCO transfer Asher O’Hara, a dual-threat redshirt sophomore who played in two games for Middle Tennessee last season.
Plenty of Blue Raider skill players will be back in the fold, with leading rushers Chaton Mobley and Terelle West anchoring the backfield, as well as leading receiver Ty Lee, who is the NCAA’s current active leader in career receptions. They also bring back some key members of a defense that is one of the best in the nation.
The Blue Devils and Blue Raiders scheduled the home and home series back in 2014, with the game moving to Durham next season, as well as another series in 2024-25. The two teams have never faced off against one another.
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