The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders meet the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday in Nashville. 14Powers.com evaluates several critical phases of both teams and predicts the winner and final score of the game.
| MATCHUP | EDGE | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
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Tavares Thomas ran for 507 and nine touchdown last year for the Blue Raiders. Vandy safety LaDarius Wiley had 88 tackles last season. | |
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Brent Stockstill has over 8,000 career passing yards, best in MTSU history. Vandy linebacker Charles Wright had 9 sacks in 2017. | |
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Illinois transer Ke’Shawn Vaughn has the speed and size to be special for Vandy. MTSU safety Jovante Moff had 101 tackles last season. | |
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Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur has shown steady progress since becoming a Commodore. Vanderbilt’s entire O-line is back from 2017. Kalija Lipscomb leads the VU receiving corps. MTSU DT Malik Manciel had a career-best 29 stops and 5.0 TFLs last season. | |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | |
MTSU punter Matt Bonadies had eight punts of 50 or more yards a year ago. Both Vandy and MTSU are replacing kickers. |
| COACHING | |
MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill is 79-72 since coming to Middle in 2006. Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason is 18-31 going into his fifth season at Vandy. |
| INTANGIBLES | |
Both teams will have great support at the game. Vandy’s safety Zaire Jones is out for suspension. Vandy has won the last three meetings between the two teams. |
Final Comments: Brent Stockstill has been with the Blue Raiders for what seems like forever. Vandy did a number on Middle Tennessee on the road last year (28-6) and the Vandy physicality will be enough for a win in Nashville.
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