Week One: MTSU versus McNeese State

McNeese State at Middle Tennessee--This game is a matchup between FBS Sun Belt team Middle Tennessee State University and FCS Southland Conference squad McNeese State. MTSU went 2-10 in 2011 to end a streak of 2 straight seasons with bowl berths. The 2-10 record is the worst record for the Blue Raiders since their move to the FBS. McNeese State slid in 2011 with a 6-5 record and losses to Kansas and Texas State but pulling out a win over 2012 FBS team UTSA. This game is a big step for the Blue Raiders to prove that 2011 was a fluke.

Offense: MTSU was a passing heavy team in 2011 that struggled to score points on a regular basis. The rushing offense averaged 146 yards per game with a healthy 4.1 yards per carry and 14 touchdowns. The Blue Raiders attempted 80 more passes than rushes last fall and put up 254 yards per game in the air to go along with 21 touchdowns. The passing yardage was tempered by 15 interceptions. While putting up over 400 yards of total offense per game, the Blue Raiders only scored 22.2 points per game which was good for 96th best in the country. McNeese State was not much better in 2011 on offense only putting up 23.6 points per game with 142 yards coming on the ground per game to go along with 15 touchdowns. The passing offense was good for 212 yards per game and 12 touchdowns to go along with 9 interceptions. EDGE: MTSU

Defense: 2011 was not kind to the MTSU defense as it was ravaged repeatedly for an average of 36.8 points per game allowed. The defense gave up 229 yards on the ground per game and 37 touchdowns while giving up 211 yards and 18 touchdowns per game in the air. 55 touchdowns allowed on the season put the Blue Raiders among the nation's worst last fall. McNeese State was much more respectable on defense only allowing 25.9 points per game. Teams were held below 4 yards per carry and only 147 total rushing yards per game to go along with 16 touchdowns last fall. The passing defense was respectable with teams only putting up 180 yards per game in the air versus the Cowboy defense. The defense did allow 16 passing touchdowns on the year. EDGE: McNeese State  (With the possible addition of Tyrann Mathieu from LSU, the Cowboys could have a very good defense).

Coaching: McNeese State head coach Matt Viator is entering his 7th year with the Cowboys. Viator started coaching at Sam Houston High School in 1986 before moving to Vinton High School, Jennings High School, Sulhpur High School, then to McNeese State as an assistant in 1999-2005. In 2006, Viator was promoted to head coach and currently has a 45-20 overall record with 3 playoff appearances. Rick Stockstill also enters his 7th year as a head coach. Stockstill started his coaching career in 1983 at Bethune Cookman before going to Central Florida, Clemson, East Carolina, and South Carolina. In 2006, he was hired as the head coach at MTSU. During his 6 previous seasons, Stockstill has gone 35-40 with three bowl berths (2006-Motor City, 2009-New Orleans, 2010-GoDaddy.com). EDGE: MTSU

This is the first meeting between the two programs.

MTSU was a team that could rack up yards on offense but struggled to score on a regular basis. 28 turnovers will do that to any team. Adding a horrible defense to the mix made for a long 2011 for the Blue Raiders. MTSU may be forced to win shootouts this fall as their defense will not be making very significant leaps this fall. With a team that is a historic FCS power but recently average in McNeese State, the Blue Raiders must show that they are a better team than last fall. With MTSU's tendency to start strong offensively from the start, this should be a fairly easy win for MTSU to start the 2012 season.