Bring on the Green - by Fredo

A week after totally dismantling the best offense in the league, we move on to the worst.  North Texas's new coach, Tom Dodge, has brought "Dodgeball" to the college level.  They look more like the boys from Average Joes than football players.  Last week against Troy, the quarterback was sacked nine times.  But the kicker is that the defense forced seven turnovers, and you know how many points North Texas scored.......7. 

I don't know how that could happen, but it points to the ineptitude of the offense and the luck of their defense.  Look for the Blue Raiders to have a field day on the ground with this defensive line that my two-year-old nephew could run through. 

Also, we may set a record for sacks two weeks in a row on an offensive line that couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat. 

The Blue Raiders are on a tear and we are finally seeing the team we expected all year long.  Our boys know the odds are long at getting a bowl berth, but we have to help ourselves by winning the last four games.  After this week, we should only have to win three more!

Don’t Question Me Anymore - by Fredo

I love it when I am right. 

For the first time this season, I was questioned on a prediction, and I simply said "wait for the game".  It is tough when you mess with the Family. 

Middle Tennessee put on a clinic on tackling the quarterback on Saturday.  A school-record nine times, Corey Leonard was put on his back with the ball in his hand.

Our #1 rated defense held the #1 offense to 136 yards in total offense. Click Here for stats.  You could have put the Godfathersbluecrew out there on Saturday and we would have won that game! 

Arkansas State was defeated soundly in every phase of the game.  Even their highly touted punt returner managed to get 0 yards on punt returns. 

It was great to see Joe Craddock back on the field and see the entire Arkansas State defense's arse's pucker at the same time!  

The Blue Raiders have turned the corner and are setting their sights on the rest of the season.

Preview for Arkansas State - by Fredo

For the rest of the season, the Blue Raiders play in the conference.  Our first game of this five game stretch see the Indians of Arkansas State come into the Skillet.  This is a team that we have absolutely owned since joining the Sunbelt, going 7-1 against them if I am not mistaken.  Hopefully this weekend will see more of the same. 

The Indians bring with them a two pronged running attack and will not throw the ball very much.  The defensive front of the Blue Raiders will be tested by this team as they may be the best runners we have seen this season.  Arkansas State's Corey Leonard won the Sunbelt Player of the Week over our very own Dwight Dasher.  This will certainly provide some bulletin board material for the team this week. 

Arkansas State's defense has given up some yards, so they may have a problem with the likes of Dasher and Desmond Gee.  Middle Tennessee seems to have turned the corner with our win over Memphis. 

I look for this weekend to be more of the same.  We may now get the blow-out win like we have seen in the past, but Floyd will be jacked up and the atmosphere should be awesome on a perfect football weekend.

Memphis down - Sunbelt to go - by Fredo

What a win it was!  The Blue Raiders showed the Memphis Tigers how we do things in the middle of the state on Saturday night. 

Our Blue Raiders played a great game on offense and defense.  The 1500 or so fans that made the trip from Memphis were treated to what we had been waiting for; a win over a quality team in the fashion we expected.  The Band of Blue made the trip which is always a treat.  As the clock ticked to zero, we were yelling and wondering what this season has left in store for us. 

The last three weeks have seen this team morph into a force to be reckoned with.  They are blocking better, defending the pass better, running better, and passing better.  We seem to be walking with a air of confidence that we did not have four weeks ago. 

After the game, we had to head out to Beale Street to celebrate a well deserved victory.  Drinks were had and we even sang the fight song on the stage at Pat O'Brien's. 

Now we come into conference play for the rest of the season, so each game counts for a lot. 

Beat Tiger High - err Memphis State - err The University of Memphis -- by Fredo

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Our newest rivalry starts this weekend! 

An in-state rivalry is something we have been waiting for for a few years now. 

Vanderbilt is scared to play us in Murfreesboro, but Memphis is not. 

A 3 and 2 series is just what the doctor ordered.  The first game of the series between Middle Tennessee and the University of Memphis is scheduled for this Saturday at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.  Both teams are having down years, but that doesn't mean that there wont be some good football to be had.  Both teams are hungry and neither team wants to be the first to lose what will be a fierce rivalry for years to come. 

Memphis has not seen a dual threat quarterback yet, but they will still be playing with emotion after the tragic loss of one of their own to an act of senseless violence.  This is a great road trip for Middle Tennessee fans to make as it is a night game in a fun city only 3 hours away. 

I look forward to seeing you all there and witnessing the first of 6 wins in a row to end the season for the Blue Raiders!<

Ouch! That one hurt. - By Fredo

Man, we were so close.  A questionable spot and a defensive stand away from what we have all been waiting for since the Blue Raiders made the move to 1-A. 

We are hungry for a win over a top program and Saturday provided our best chance yet.  It was an electric atmosphere inside the Skillet as more than 23K watched the Blue Raiders stand toe to toe and outplay the Cavaliers of Virginia for 59 minutes of football. 

People can question the call to punt all they want, but that was the right call.  Our defense had been there all night and that was who we wanted on the field at the end.  I know fans left the stadium dejected and even angry, but you have to look at what we have accomplished.  We have a team that for the large part is made up of freshmen and sophomores. 

The future is bright at Middle Tennessee, but we have to stay on the wagon for the hard times.  On a side note, it was great to meet so many Virginia fans at the game.  They were a class act and we welcome you all back anytime.  To Middle Tennessee fans I just say this:  The good times are coming and you will want to be here when it happens!

Joey Fontane speaks!

As the blue lights of the Murfreesboro Police motorcade escorts the Virginia football team away from Floyd Stadium I am split between the disappointment of the loss and the excitement of facing an ACC opponent. With only 1:58 left in the game I could taste victory - yet only moments later I hear the Virginia victory fight song. Tonight I revel in the fact that MTSU is facing recognized football programs - and yet my desire is that we are one of those programs. I know give it a few years - yet with only just a few plays away from making tonight’s SportsCenter - the excitement drives our desire to increase the MTSU loyalty base. Go Big Blue!! I look forward to the next game - because baby - we are MTSU!!!

An Interview with the Godfather

How does it feel to be the Godfather?

It is very lonely at the top. A hard job. It has taken me 56 years to climb to the top. There is a great responsibility and but there is also opportunity. We will take on any family in the southeast.

As the GF, what is your greatest responsibility to the Family and to the community?

Everything emanates from the top.

What is your gameday secret?

Get here early, stay late. Throw to the tight end.

Have you picked a successor?

How could anyone succeed ME?

Had anyone killed today?

Just a few beers and bloody marys. That count?

A prediction against UVA?

Ohhh. We can beat them if we play smart and don’t make mistakes and they do make mistakes and don’t play smart.

Why are you staying home against Memphis next week?

I’ll get back to you on that one. I need a beer.

It Depends on Who Shows Up - by Fredo

Oh, what a difference a week makes! Last week, people were all woe is me and this week, we can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Perhaps we have finally found our stride and a little consistency. Florida International is not near as bad a team as we made them look last Saturday. Heck, Miami only hung 29 on them.

Last Saturday offered our team a great opportunity to see many different players in game type situations. While we didn't score in the second half, we didn't allow them to score on offense either.

This week, we have a different test. The Cavaliers of the University of Virginia invade Murfreesboro in what will be the biggest game this town has ever hosted. After the first week of the season, everyone, including this guy, thought we could roll over this Virginia team. But they have gotten it together and are receiving votes in both polls.

This is a great test for our team against a team that is not a top 5 team. This is a winnable game if we play the way we did last weekend. I guarantee you that Virginia can and will score points. But we have shown that we are equally up to the challenge in the offensive department. So, what do we expect on another beautiful Saturday afternoon? It depends on which team shows up. If the team that played Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic shows up, we are in big trouble. However, if the team that played Louisville and Florida international shows, this could be a special afternoon.

So, come out and watch the Blue Raiders play!