2018 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team


The 2018 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Blue Raiders played their home games at the Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee as members of the East Division of Conference USA. They were led by 13th-year head coach Rick Stockstill. They finished the season 8–6, 7–1 in C-USA play to finish as champions of the East Division. They represented the East Division in the C-USA Championship Game where they lost to West Division champion UAB. They were invited to the New Orleans Bowl where they lost to Appalachian State.

Previous season

The Blue Raiders finished the 2017 season 7–6, 4–4 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for third place in the East Division. They received an invite to the Camellia Bowl where they defeated Arkansas State.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released
Maxwell AwardBrent StockstillQBSR
Davey O'Brien AwardBrent StockstillQBSR
Doak Walker AwardTavares ThomasRBSR
Fred Biletnikoff AwardTy LeeWRJR
Butkus AwardDarius HarrisLBSO
Ray Guy AwardMatt BonadiesPSR
Wuerffel TrophyBrent StockstillQBSR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardBrent StockstillQBSR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose AwardTavares ThomasRBSR

Preseason All-CUSA team

Conference USA released their preseason all-CUSA team on July 16, 2018, with the Blue Raiders having four players selected.
Offense
Brent Stockstill – QB
Chandler Brewer – OL
Ty Lee – WR
Defense
Khalil Brooks – LB

Preseason media poll

Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 17, 2018, with the Blue Raiders predicted to finish in third place in the East Division.
East Division

Schedule

Game summaries

at Vanderbilt

UT Martin

at Georgia

Florida Atlantic

at Marshall

at FIU

Charlotte

at Old Dominion

Western Kentucky

at UTEP

at Kentucky

UAB

UAB (C-USA Championship Game)

vs. Appalachian State (New Orleans Bowl)