2013 Middle Tennessee
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
The Blue Raiders enter C-USA after posting an 8-4 overall record last year and 6-2 in the Sun Belt. They hope the transition to a new Conference will be smooth as 16 starters are set to return including quarterback Logan Kilgore. Conference USA is much weaker than in year’s past so this is the best time to move in. Middle Tennessee should be able to fight for the top spot in the East, especially since they get East Carolina at home.
Kilgore leads a mediocre offense which is all you need in this conference. He improved in every category last year which is a good sign. Top wideout Anthony Amos is gone, but every other relevant receiver returns which should be enough for Kilgore. Jordan Parker rushed for 851 yards last year as a freshman and will hope to break the 1,000-yard mark this season. He’ll be running behind a line that is stocked with Four returning starters.
The defense will be a bigger question for Mid Tennessee as they’re losing plenty of players, including three linemen. Jimmy Staten leads the front unit, while T.T. Barber leads the linebacking core. He only played in six Games last year due to a shoulder injury. Safety Kevin Byard will look to build on last year’s Four interceptions as a freshman. The secondary will likely have trouble against bigger receivers with three guys coming in at under 6 feet.
2013 Midd Tenn College Football Schedule
Aug. 29 vs. Western Carolina
Sept. 7 at North Carolina
Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
Sept. 21 at Florida Atlantic
Sept. 27 at BYU
Oct. 5 vs. East Carolina
Oct. 12 at North Texas
Oct. 24 vs. Marshall
Nov. 2 at UAB
Nov. 9 vs. Florida International
Nov. 23 at Southern Miss
Nov. 30 vs. UTEP
Reaching eight wins again will be a big positive for the Blue Raiders, but starting the season with five Games before October even starts will be tough. Two of them will come at North Carolina and BYU so they’ll have their hands full.
That first Game in October will be against their main competition in the East division in East Carolina. If they can win that Game, their Schedule sets up pretty nicely for a run to the C-USA title Game. Their road Conference Games are all very winnable while they get the top two East teams at home (ECU and Marshall). Not to mention they get to skip out on Tulsa and Rice out of the West.
Another eight-win season would not be a surprise for the Blue Raiders. They have what it takes with depth and plenty of returning starters. The Game with East Carolina is highlighted on their Schedule as it could make their season.