MTSU at Colorado State football: Scouting report, prediction
Middle Tennessee State (0-1) will travel to Colorado State (0-1) on Saturday (3 p.m. CT).
The game will be broadcast on Circle TV, which is Nashville digital television station 4.5 (WSMV DTV) and on Nashville Xfinity channel 230. It will also be streamed live on goblueraiders.com/watch.
The Blue Raiders are coming off a 44-7 loss at James Madison and Colorado State is coming off a 51-7 loss at Michigan in season openers.
Here is a scouting report of the game, with a score prediction by The Daily News Journal's Cecil Joyce:
Two teams on the mend
It was a tough week for both MTSU and Colorado State. The biggest difference is the Rams were playing a Power Five opponent now ranked in the top 5 in The Associated Press poll.
For MTSU, looking forward takes priority over licking wounds from Saturday's blowout loss.
MORE: 5 takeaways from MTSU football's 44-7 loss at James Madison
MORE: How many wins for MTSU football this season? Here are our game-by-game predictions
"We just watched film and see what we can fix, correct," said MTSU quarterback Chase Cunningham, who was 18-of-32 for 110 yards and a TD while being sacked four times. "We'll work on that stuff and put that game in the past...focus on these guys and what we can do better."
Rams are Nevada 2.0
Colorado State not only has a first-year coach in former Nevada coach Jay Norvell, but the team has a new look in 2022, as 10 Wolfpack players followed Norvell to Colorado State via the transfer portal.
Quarterback Clay Millen, running back Avery Morrow, wide receivers Tory Horton and Melquan Stovall, offensive linemen Trevyn Heil, Gray Davis and Jacob Gardner, tight end Peter Montini, defensive back Angel King and punter Paddy Turner all transferred to Colorado State in the offseason.
"They have seven new starters on offense, and five of them came from Nevada," MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said. "They're very familiar with their offensive scheme."
Millen started in last week's 51-7 loss to Michigan State, completing 16-of-20 passes for 137 yards, a touchdown and an interception as the Rams offense gained just 219 yards against the Wolverines.
Morrow had seven carries for 22 yards and Horton led the offense with six receptions for 69 yards and the lone TD. Stovall had three receptions for 33 yards. Turner punted five times for a 35.8 average. Gardner and Davis both started on the offensive line. King was a starter in the secondary but did not record any defensive stats.
Other CSU players to watch
RB David Bailey: The 6-foot, 220-pound fifth-year player is the team's leading returning rusher from last season and carried six times for 27 yards last week.
RB A'Jon Vivens: The 5-11, 200-pound senior and the team's second-leading returning rusher from last season had 10 carries for 35 yards last week.
WR Dante Wright: The 5-9, 180-pound senior is the team's top returning receiver from last season. He played but did not record a catch vs. Michigan.
LB Cam'ron Carter: The 6-2, 230-pound fifth-year linebacker led the team in tackles last season and made eight stops last week.
MTSU defense hoping to pressure
MTSU's defensive front was a bright spot in last week's loss, getting two sacks and eight tackles for loss. Senior defensive end Jordan Ferguson had a sack, forced a fumble, deflected a pass and blocked a kick.
"Lot of things to learn from," Ferguson said. "It's something we can bring into this week. We'll be ready to go. We'll work on everything we can and be ready for the unexpected as well."
Despite the solid play up front, the Blue Raiders will have to fare much better in the back end of a defense that allowed 548 yards, including 413 total yards from the quarterback position.
A different altitude
Stockstill said his players would have to focus on hydration as they prepare for a three-hour flight to an altitude that is 5,000 feet above sea level. Otherwise, he isn't going to "make a big deal" out of the different altitude.
Blue Raider senior Kyle Ulbrich, who averaged 42.1 yards on nine punts last week, could benefit from the road game.
Score prediction
MTSU 37, Colorado State 35: The Blue Raiders shake off the Week 1 beating and find an offensive groove against a Rams defense that allowed 28 points a game last season and gave up 51 last week.
Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU football: Scouting report, score prediction vs. Colorado State
