Adam Sparks, who covers Middle Tennessee for the Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro.
1. How important is QB Dwight Dasher to this offense?
Statistically, Dasher is more important to MTSU?s offense than any player is to his offense in the FBS. Dasher accounts for 79 percent of MTSU?s yards as a dual-threat runner and passer. And his 227 offensive touches (72 rushes, 155 passes) is the most of any player in college football?s top level. Aside from stats, Dasher is not irreplaceable in terms of the offense functioning. Dasher?s backup, redshirt freshman Brent Burnette, is inexperienced, but he could manage the offense. If Dasher was injured, Burnette could guide the team to Sun Belt wins, but I don?t think he could against Troy. Without Dasher, MTSU likely doesn?t stand a chance against the Trojans. With him, the Blue Raiders at least have a chance.
2. Is this the best team since Rick Stockstill took over as head coach?
It?s probably too early to rank this year?s team over the 2006 squad which shared the Sun Belt title with Troy and went to the Motor City Bowl (and would?ve gone to the New Orleans Bowl, if not for Troy?s late heroics in their head-to-head game). That 2006 almost completely consisted of players Stockstill inherited from the previous coaching staff, and he made them work. The offense was modified greatly to fit the personnel, but the team won games ? many of them decisively ? with smart football, limited turnovers and penalties, an opportunistic defense, etc. This year?s team is more of what Stockstill had planned when he was hired. Is it his best team? Time will tell. It certainly is his best team to this point in the season, but there?s a long way to go. However, a win over Troy under these circumstances Tuesday would maybe vault this year?s team over the 2006 squad. A win would have that much impact.
3. Everybody knows about the offense. What about the defense? Is it playing better than you thought?
I thought the defense would be pretty good. Forcing turnovers was an offseason focus, and that?s yielded results immediately. MTSU has forced 13 turnovers in four games, the third-most in the nation. I thought the secondary would be good because so much experience and talent returned. I had questions about the linebacking corps outside for senior standout Danny Carmichael, but the inexperienced outside linebackers have actually played very well. A few true freshmen have helped in the secondary. But defensive ends Chris McCoy and Jamari Lattimore have played very well. Lattimore, who moved from linebacker last season, was expected to come on this year. McCoy was more of a question mark, as he had not met expectations in past years. But he has perhaps been the team?s best defender four games into the year. MTSU?s offense has been good, but the defense has been better.
4. How does the RB situation look with Phillip Tanner out?
Tanner is still out with a knee injury. Sophomore D.D. Kyles and true freshman Ben Cunningham are his primary replacements. Kyles is very fast, but he?s still learning how to pass protect and run strong between the tackles. Cunningham is shifty and smart. He had hardly played until a breakout game last week at North Texas. Senior wide receiver Desmond Gee will also see some time at running back, where he played last season. Tanner?s loss makes an impact, but no as much as most thought. Kyles and others have filled in better than expected.
5. How do you see the game going?
Troy offensive coordinator Neal Brown told me earlier this week that he thought both defenses are better than the offenses. I tend to agree to a certain extent. I don?t think this be quite the shootout that many think, although I think it will be a good game and worthy of the national spotlight. I think it will be a back-and-forth game. I think MTSU may settle for more field goals than touchdowns, and the same may be the case for Troy. Aside from that, I think one major special teams play could have a big impact on the game?s outcome. I say the team whose quarterback has the least turnovers (fumbles and interceptions) wins the game. With homefield advantage and the glare of national TV, where the Trojans usually excel, tight game.
1. How important is QB Dwight Dasher to this offense?
Statistically, Dasher is more important to MTSU?s offense than any player is to his offense in the FBS. Dasher accounts for 79 percent of MTSU?s yards as a dual-threat runner and passer. And his 227 offensive touches (72 rushes, 155 passes) is the most of any player in college football?s top level. Aside from stats, Dasher is not irreplaceable in terms of the offense functioning. Dasher?s backup, redshirt freshman Brent Burnette, is inexperienced, but he could manage the offense. If Dasher was injured, Burnette could guide the team to Sun Belt wins, but I don?t think he could against Troy. Without Dasher, MTSU likely doesn?t stand a chance against the Trojans. With him, the Blue Raiders at least have a chance.
2. Is this the best team since Rick Stockstill took over as head coach?
It?s probably too early to rank this year?s team over the 2006 squad which shared the Sun Belt title with Troy and went to the Motor City Bowl (and would?ve gone to the New Orleans Bowl, if not for Troy?s late heroics in their head-to-head game). That 2006 almost completely consisted of players Stockstill inherited from the previous coaching staff, and he made them work. The offense was modified greatly to fit the personnel, but the team won games ? many of them decisively ? with smart football, limited turnovers and penalties, an opportunistic defense, etc. This year?s team is more of what Stockstill had planned when he was hired. Is it his best team? Time will tell. It certainly is his best team to this point in the season, but there?s a long way to go. However, a win over Troy under these circumstances Tuesday would maybe vault this year?s team over the 2006 squad. A win would have that much impact.
3. Everybody knows about the offense. What about the defense? Is it playing better than you thought?
I thought the defense would be pretty good. Forcing turnovers was an offseason focus, and that?s yielded results immediately. MTSU has forced 13 turnovers in four games, the third-most in the nation. I thought the secondary would be good because so much experience and talent returned. I had questions about the linebacking corps outside for senior standout Danny Carmichael, but the inexperienced outside linebackers have actually played very well. A few true freshmen have helped in the secondary. But defensive ends Chris McCoy and Jamari Lattimore have played very well. Lattimore, who moved from linebacker last season, was expected to come on this year. McCoy was more of a question mark, as he had not met expectations in past years. But he has perhaps been the team?s best defender four games into the year. MTSU?s offense has been good, but the defense has been better.
4. How does the RB situation look with Phillip Tanner out?
Tanner is still out with a knee injury. Sophomore D.D. Kyles and true freshman Ben Cunningham are his primary replacements. Kyles is very fast, but he?s still learning how to pass protect and run strong between the tackles. Cunningham is shifty and smart. He had hardly played until a breakout game last week at North Texas. Senior wide receiver Desmond Gee will also see some time at running back, where he played last season. Tanner?s loss makes an impact, but no as much as most thought. Kyles and others have filled in better than expected.
5. How do you see the game going?
Troy offensive coordinator Neal Brown told me earlier this week that he thought both defenses are better than the offenses. I tend to agree to a certain extent. I don?t think this be quite the shootout that many think, although I think it will be a good game and worthy of the national spotlight. I think it will be a back-and-forth game. I think MTSU may settle for more field goals than touchdowns, and the same may be the case for Troy. Aside from that, I think one major special teams play could have a big impact on the game?s outcome. I say the team whose quarterback has the least turnovers (fumbles and interceptions) wins the game. With homefield advantage and the glare of national TV, where the Trojans usually excel, tight game.
