Middle Tennessee is entering a new era with the arrival of Derek Mason as head coach.
Mason replaced Rick Stockstill, who went 113-111 in 18 seasons guiding the Blue Raiders. Stockstill had his share of success, leading MTSU to a Sun Belt title in 2006 and a Conference USA East Division championship in 2018, along with 10 bowl appearances. Yet after consecutive bowl berths in 2021 and 2022, the Blue Raiders fell to 4-8 last season.
Mason was 27-55 while head coach of a usually outmanned Vanderbilt team from 2014-2020, but he did take the Commodores to bowl games twice in those seven seasons. He was the second coach in Vanderbilt history to take a team to multiple bowl appearances. The other coach was James Franklin, who took Vanderbilt to bowls in each of his three seasons.
Last year, Mason served as a television analyst on the SEC network. His most recent coaching job was as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in 2022.
Mason takes over a team that ranked just 83rd in the FBS in scoring offense (24.3 points per game) and 81st in scoring defense, having allowed 28.1 points per game.
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Middle Tennessee’s Football Conference USA Title Odds
Middle Tennessee’s odds to win CUSA are +2500, via BetMGM.
Middle Tennessee Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Middle Tennessee’s win total Over/Under is 4.5, with Over 4.5 at -135 and Under 4.5 at +110.
2024 Middle Tennessee Schedule
8/31 vs Tennessee Tech
9/7 at Ole Miss
9/14 vs Western Kentucky
9/21 vs Duke
9/28 at Memphis
10/10 at Louisiana Tech
10/15 vs Kennesaw State
10/23 at Jacksonville State
11/2 at UTEP
11/9 vs Liberty
11/23 vs New Mexico State
11/30 at FIU
Bold indicates CUSA contests
Key Middle Tennessee Football Returners
2023 All-CUSA First Team
TE Holden Willis
LS Brody Butler
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Nicholas Vattiato To Set The Tone For Middle Tennessee’s Offense
Leading the list of returning veterans is quarterback Nicholas Vattiato. Last year in his first season as a starter, Vattiato completed 66.8% of his passes for 3,092 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 397 yards and two touchdowns.
Tight end Holden Willis led MTSU in receiving with 46 receptions for 697 yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Omai Kelly, a transfer from Auburn, is expected to be a big addition. During the team’s spring game, he led all receivers with six receptions for 93 yards.
Running back Jaiden Credle made five starts and led the Blue Raiders in rushing with 427 yards and two touchdowns. Frank Peasant rushed for 306 yards and four touchdowns in nine games.
Center Julius Pierce leads a relatively inexperienced offensive line. Pierce played in all 12 games last year, making eight starts.
Linebacker Parker Hughes, who had 53 tackles, is the leading returning tackler. Corner Tyrell Raby appeared in 11 games, making seven starts.
Some standouts in the spring game should make a big difference. Defensive end James Stewart had three sacks in the spring game. Last season he made 15 tackles. Safety Rickey Smith had a team-high seven tackles in the spring game.
On special teams, long snapper Brody Butler is a two-time first-team All-CUSA selection.
2024 Middle Tennessee Football Season Prediction
I predict Middle Tennessee won’t win Conference USA and will win four games.
This should be an improved offense, but the biggest obstacle may be the schedule. The Blue Raiders went 1-3 in non-league games last year, and this season could have the same fate. Their non-league opponents are SEC contender Ole Miss, AAC preseason favorite Memphis, and a Duke team that is expected to contend for a bowl bid.
In addition, MTSU plays the three teams with the best odds of winning CUSA – Liberty, Western Kentucky, and Jacksonville State. It’s possible to go above four wins, but it won’t be easy.
A key will be cutting down on the turnovers. As well as Vattiato played, he threw 13 interceptions. MTSU had a minus-five turnover margin, which was 101st in the country. That will have to change if MTSU improves its win total in Mason’s debut season.
