What Alabama fans need to know about Middle Tennessee State
In just a couple of days, the lights will shine bright inside Bryant-Denny Stadium as Nick Saban leads the Alabama football team onto the field to begin the 2023 season against Middle Tennessee State.
Alabama has a lot to prove in 2023 and it can help get the momentum heading in the right direction with a strong performance in game one.
Sure, Alabama’s Week 1 opponent is not a national name or a traditional blue-blood, but a new season brings new opportunities and that is enough to get excited about.
With so much unknown regarding the Blue Raiders, let’s take a look a five things that Alabama fans should know about MTSU.
Blue Raiders have an experienced defense
MTSU is returning 8 of its 11 starters on defense from last season and has some quality playmakers back among that group. Defensive back Teldrick Ross led C-USA in pass breakups last season with 20 and the team’s leading tackler from a season ago, Tra Fluellen is also back.
Tenured head coach
MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill is entering his 18th season as the head coach of the Blue Raiders. In that time, Stockstill has made MTSU one of the more consistent Group of Five schools.
Breaking in a new QB
Like the Crimson Tide, the Blue Raiders will be breaking in a new quarterback in 2023. Redshirt sophomore Nicholas Vattiato is the expected starter for MTSU and has some experience as a starter. In 2021, as a true freshman, Vattiato made six starts due to injuries and would also make a start in 2022 while also preserving his redshirt.
Solid RB returning
Running back Frank Peasant returns for the Blue Raiders and despite operating in a pass-first scheme, put up some pretty impressive numbers in 2022. Peasant finished last season with nearly 800 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, helping bring a little balance to the Air Raid attack.
Keeping it in the family
Son of head coach Rick Stockstill and former MTSU quarterback Brent Stockstill is now the quarterbacks coach and the passing game coordinator for the Blue Raiders. Brent is Middle Tennessee State’s all-time leader in both passing yards (12,495) and touchdowns (106).
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