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| Monday, August 13 Updated: August 14, 10:11 AM ET Blue Raiders early favorite for conference title By Adam Rittenberg Special to ESPN.com |
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Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 2000 record: 6-5. Coach: Andy McCollum (3rd year, 9-13). Starters returning: 8 offense, 6 defense, 2 kickers. Outlook: Three years ago Middle Tennessee didn't even have a Division I-A football program. Now the Blue Raiders are favored to win the conference title and earn a trip to the New Orleans Bowl. Middle Tennessee returns 14 starters from last year's team, which posted a 6-5 record as an independent. Doak Walker candidate Dwone Hicks could be the Sun Belt's best player. Hicks rushed for 19 touchdowns and 116 yards per game last season, averaging nearly seven yards every time he touched the football. The aerial tandem of QB Wes Counts and WR Kendall Newson, which clicked for five touchdowns in 2000, will complement Hicks. The nation's 16th-ranked defense returns an impressive trio in LB Scott Brown, DE Tanaka Scott and LB Anthony Hood. Scott led the team in sacks, tackles for loss and hurries last year. He will likely be featured as Middle Tennessee switches from a 3-4 base to a 4-3. Keep an eye on: WR Kendall Newson. Since opposing defenses will have their hands full with Hicks, this speedy wideout could slip on by. Newson returns as the Sun Belt's leading receiver after totaling 945 yards on 74 receptions (10th highest in the nation). Best of all, he does not falter against top competition. Newson racked up a career-high 180 receiving yards at Mississippi State and had 100-yard days against Illinois and Maryland. Key game: The Blue Raiders' success may hinge on their season opener at Vanderbilt. A road win against a beatable SEC opponent would catapult Middle Tennessee into conference play. With only 34 miles separating the two schools, this game could spark an in-state rivalry and immensely help Middle Tennessee recruiting. It's a good year if... Middle Tennessee wins the conference championship. With loads of talent on both sides of the ball, Middle Tennessee should dominate the Sun Belt this season. Fortunately, the Blue Raiders host Idaho at Floyd Stadium, where they were undefeated last season. If Hicks and Counts can get blocking from an inexperienced line, Middle Tennessee should have little trouble scoring points. An easier non-conference slate than last year should put Middle Tennessee in position for a seven- or eight-win season. |
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