-- Vanderbilt and MT have all but sealed a deal that would pit the two in-state schools against each other during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. If the contract gets finalized, both games would be played on Vandy’s home field. The two schools are also considering another two-game deal of the home-and-home variety, which would take place in 2007 and 2008. Vandy would host the 2007 battle, before going on the road to face the Blue Raiders in 2008. Vandy leads the overall series 12-2, but MTSU upset the Commodores in 2001 and 2002, in which both games were played on Vandy’s campus.

<a href='http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2004/News/Daily_Briefing.htm' target='_blank'>LINK</a>

It's official

Blue Raiders, Commodores to renew football rivalry
MT Media Relations
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee Athletic Director Boots Donnelly announced today that the Blue Raiders and Vanderbilt University have inked a two-year football contract to renew their gridiron history. The deal will be for a game in 2005 and 2006 with both being played at Vanderbilt Stadium.

"This is a great rivalry and one the fans really enjoy," Donnelly said. "We hope to make this a season opener every year, which will allow for a lot of flexibility and offseason publicity. The two schools are great for one another and we need to be playing in all other sports as well."

The 2005 game is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 1 and will be handled by SEC officials, while the 2006 contest is set as the season opener on Sept. 2. The 2006 game will use Sun Belt officials.

The Middle Tennessee-Vanderbilt series began in 1915 and the Commodores hold a 12-2 advantage. However, the Blue Raiders have won the previous two meetings in 2001 and 2002.

In 2001, the Blue Raiders piled up 608 yards of total offense and came from behind to defeat Vanderbilt, 39-28, before a crowd of 39,885. That attendance figure remains as the largest non-conference crowd at Vanderbilt since a sellout against Notre Dame in 1996 (41,523). In 2002, the Blue Raiders came from behind once again to eek out a 21-20 win before 28,660.

The two teams will continue dialog for playing each other in 2007 and 2008 but only as a home-and-home series.

<a href='http://www.goblueraiders.com/?go=story&doc=3153' target='_blank'>LINK</a>