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Early 2024 Preview: Liberty at Middle Tennessee

We kicked off our series with an early look ahead to the teams on Liberty’s 2024 schedule. We’re giving a quick preview of all 12 teams standing in the Flames’ way to a second straight undefeated season as second-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team to defend the 2023 CUSA title.

CUSA teams return to a Saturday schedule for the final month of the regular season, with Liberty hitting the road to play at Middle Tennessee.

Middle Tennessee

  • When: Saturday, November 9 at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (1 p.m. CBSSN)
  • Last year’s record: 4-8, 3-5 CUSA (5th)
  • Coach: Derek Mason, freshman at MTSU
  • SP+ ranking 2024: 109th
  • Series history: Liberty leads 2-1

Last meeting: October 17, 2023: After trading offensive blows through the first three quarters, Liberty’s defense held MTSU in check during the fourth quarter to secure a 42-35 victory. The two teams combined for 949 total offensive yards, including 401 on the ground for the Flames, as Kaidon Salter and Quinton Cooley both topped 100 yards rushing.

Program History:

National Championships: 0

Conference Championships: 13

Bowl record: 4-6

Last Bowl Appearance: 2022 – Hawai’i Bowl vs. San Diego State 25-23 win

The Blue Raiders said goodbye to Rick Stockstill, who led MTSU for 18 years and guided the team to 12 bowl games.

Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason takes over and they only have 7 starters back, a league low. One starter that does return is Nick Vattiato at quarterback. He should be one of the best in the league and the Blue Raiders hopes for 2024 largely rest on his shoulders.

Vattiatio threw for 3,092 yards last season and completed 67% of his passes, with 23 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

MTSU will have to replace four departing starters on the offensive line and not return any starting players on the defensive line.

What’s at stake?

Liberty will host most of the CUSA teams projected to finish in the bottom half of the league, including MTSU. There are a lot of unknowns with the Blue Raiders under a first-year head coach, but they should have a few things figured out by November. Liberty will need a win here to live up to preseason expectations.

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