It's time to take a look at the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State. On offense they are stronger in the running game than they are in the passing game because they lack speed at receiver. Defensively they will be undersized and will struggle to stop both the running and passing attack of the Sooners. The Blue Raiders play in the Sun Belt Conference and will come to Norman with a 2-1 record.
Quarterback
Senior Clint Marks has completed just under 54% of his passes for an average of 133.6 yards per game. He has thrown two touchdowns to three interceptions. Most alarmingly for the Blue Raiders he is being sacked an average of three times per game.
Running Backs
MTSU plays running back by committee. Eugene Gross leads the Raiders averaging 4.1 per carry and 57.7 yards rushing per game. Behind Gross is DeMarco McNair who is averaging 4.7 yards a carry and 42 yards a game. Freshman Desmond Gee has only carried the ball seven times this season but is averaging 8.7 yards per carry.
Receivers
Bobby Williams is Marks' go to guy! He is averaging 11.7 yards per catch and 50.7 yards receiving per game. Williams doesn't have a touchdown reception this season but only two players do.
Jonathan Grigsby is the second leading receiver for the Blue Raiders with 9 catches for 69 yards.
Returns/Punting
MTSU has only returned five kick-offs this season. DeMarco McNair has four of them with an average of 16.8 yards. Phillip Tanner has the other one which was a 61 yard return last week.
They aren't quite as effective on punt returns averaging only 4.5 yards as a team on five returns.
Colby Smith is an All-Conference punter averaging 41.6 yards per punt.
Defense
The defensive line is undersized and the unit as a whole lost seven starters from last season. They are quick but lack size so run stopping could become an issue. Linebacker J.K. Sabb is probably the best at getting to the ball and making tackles.
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