Losing ground to the UL Lafayettes of the world is not where the Middle Tennessee program expected to be after finishing in a first-place tie with North Texas in 2001, the Sun Belt's inaugural season. But that's where coach Andy McCollum's Blue Raiders are as they head into 2004.


Offense
The Sun Belt's highest-scoring offense in last season will sport a rebuilt offensive line and a new quarterback in '04. But they will all play a supporting role to wide receiver Kerry Wright, a first team all-conference selection whose 1,280 yards receiving established a Sun Belt record and accounted for nearly a third of the Blue Raiders' total offense.

Who the quarterback will be is anybody's guess. Josh Harris and Clint Marks battled for the job during the spring with Marks getting the bulk of the reps in the spring game. However, the competition will probably continue well into the fall. The line is the offense's most inexperienced unit. Three-year starter Julius Gant is back at left tackle with Germayle Franklin, a starter in 10 games as a freshman, returning at right guard. Willie Hall saw his playing time increase as last season went on and has earned the starting job at right tackle.

Rushing accounted for less than 40 percent of the Blue Raiders' offense in '03, and it's not likely to go any higher this year. Returning starter Eugene Gross (735 yards) was fifth in the conference in rushing as a redshirt freshman a year ago.


Defense
Five starters and 17 lettermen return to a defense that is deep up front, strong in the middle and thin in the back. Returning starters Thomas Johnson (tackle) and Jeff Littlejohn (noseguard) lead a line that McCollum considers his best ever at Middle Tennessee. Littlejohn is also a little heavy. If he can shed about 15 pounds, he could become a dominant player. Big years are anticipated from ends Bobby Payne and Devarick Scandrett.

Talent and experience will be the hallmarks of a linebacking crew that features returning starters Jonathan Bonner (weak side) and Dennis Burke (strong side). Bonner is the team's top returning tackler and Burke is a certified playmaker. Alvin Fite, a key reserve last year, moves up to a starting role in the middle.

In terms of experience, the secondary is the mirror opposite of the other two units. Left corner Danny Tolbert is the lone returning starter. On the right side, Shawn Allen has size but little experience. Kevin Copeland and Jonathan Harris began the spring as the first-string safeties, but they will have to earn the starting jobs in the fall.


Specialists
The Blue Raiders must replace two all-conference specialists in placekicker Brian Kelly and punter Robert Billings. Paul Wheeler, who has handled kickoffs the last two seasons, and Colby Smith will battle for the placekicking job. Smith inherits the punting job and will make a bid for double duty.


Final Analysis
Middle is coming off back-to-back 4-8 campaigns, and an overtime loss to the aforementioned Cajuns cost it an outright second place finish a year ago. Wide receiver Kerry Wright could be one of the nation's best, but to keep from sliding further back in the pack, Middle must find balance in its offense, settle on a new quarterback and rebuild the O-line and secondary.

<a href='http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/specials/preview/2004/conferences/sun/middletenn.html' target='_blank'>LINK</a>