Early Preview – Middle Tennesse State

Game 1 – September 5, 2009 – Death Valley, Clemson, SC 

Record	O St Rtng	Pts/Gm O	Yds/Gm O	D St Rtng	Pts/Gm D	Yds/Gm D
5-7	10	22.8	349	6	24.9	366

 
Former Clemson assistant Rick Stockstill leads MTSU and brings along former Tigers in Running Backs Coach Willie Simmons (Clemson, 2002), WR Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Justin Watts (Clemson, 2000), and even Head Trainer Robbie Stewart (Clemson, 1998).
 
The Blue Raiders return 16 (their web site says 17) starters from a team that beat Maryland 24-14 in 2008.  They also return 16 (or 17) starters from a team that lost to The University of Louisiana.  Six of one, half dozen of the other.
 
Like the Tigers, MTSU will be breaking in a new starting QB, and the offensive line returns all but one contributor.
 
The defensive line appears to be strength and includes former Clemson signee Jarrett Crittendon, while the linebacker corps returns top tackler Danny Carmichael but are less experienced.  The defensive backfield loses two of four starters, but has the potential to be a good group.
 
MTSU only lost 11 lettermen and Stockstill believes the Blue Raiders are close to turning the corner.
 
The Skinny:  Victory over a Maryland team that Clemson lost to or not, this is a Sun Belt team that Clemson should beat.
 
Early Conclusion:  The Tigers struggle out of the gate while grasping new concepts on offense and defense.  However, the talent, size and speed win out in the end. 

Clemson 27 MTSU 16