MTSU Football’s 2022 season preview and predictions
By Kathryn Rose
After a 3-6 season in 2020, the MTSU Blue Raiders had a somewhat surprising comeback in 2021, going 7-6. Will MTSU football be able to achieve the same in 2022?
2021 had a poor start for MTSU football, as the Blue Raiders went 2-4 to start the season. Much like their 2020 season, they rallied at the end, but better this time. Middle Tennessee State football went 5-2 over their last seven games, including a Bahamas Bowl win against perennial MAC power Toledo.
That late-season rally was powered by a tough defense, led by Reed Blankenship, Quincy Riley, and DQ Thomas. The trio was all-CUSA in 2021 and allowed 24 points or less in six of the seven games down the stretch.
Yet, prospects look bleaker this year for MTSU football. All three of the aforementioned players are gone, and there’s not much else, aside from edge rusher Jordan Ferguson terrorizing quarterbacks.
Ranking 106th in returning production this year means that this Blue Raider team could suffer if they get down. Even worse, there are only five transfers to make up for this shortfall of talent.
But, if there’s one thing that Rick Stockstill can do, it’s building a consistent football program from very little. MTSU is often floating around in that six to eight-win bubble, and this year will be a little different. ESPN has already pegged the program for seven wins this year in their Football Power Index (FPI).
If the Blue Raiders can survive a fairly daunting schedule, there’s no reason they can’t hit that seven-win mark.