We caught up with GoMiddle.com publisher Casey Bowman and asked him some questions about the game. Here's his thoughts.
1. From a superstar standpoint, who are some of the better players on MTSU that Memphis needs to worry about and why?
Bowman- The guy who is making the biggest waves right now - on offense at least - is WR Ed'Marques Batties. He has been just as good as advertised since coming from the JUCO ranks. Through three games, he has caught 13 balls for 168 yards and a score. That score happened to be an amazing back-shoulder grab to win the game against Western Kentucky in triple OT. Not only is he developing into a top playmaker on offense, he is also leaving his mark in the special teams department, where he has already returned a punt for a TD this year as well.
As far as the defense goes, LB T.T. Barber and S Kevin Byard are your stars, so to speak. Barber is a relentless player with a non-stop motor who really thrives on laying the wood and making the big plays. Byard, on the other hand, is on pace to shatter school - and potentially NCAA - record when it comes to INTs returned for TDs. He already has two picks on the year, and is already 6th on the school's all time list for total INTs.
2. Offensively, what kind of schemes and philosophies can Memphis expect to see Saturday?
Bowman- On offense, with QB Austin Grammer controlling the reigns, head coach Rick Stockstil and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner have re-introduced the read-option design that has been missing from the mix over the past few years. Grammer is fast and shifty, and has shown great awareness in the pocket so far this year, so they have been more inclined to let him loose at times. MT also has a stable of capable RBs who get their fair share of touches throughout the course of the game. MT will most certainly feed them the rock as a means of keeping opposing defense's honest.
Defensively, MT plays an aggressive brand of ball, but they also cater their schemes to focus on their oppositions weaknesses. They are very much a "bend but don't break" unit. MT will give up yards (as evidenced by the WKU game), but they always seem to turn it on in the right moments of the game to get the necessary stops or turnovers that are needed.
3. Defensively, MTSU gave up over 700 yards to WKU. Do you see this continuing or can MTSU sure up the defense?
Bowman- Obviously, those numbers are a tad misleading due to the sheer fact that the game was spread out over three OT's, but MT definitely did not have their best showing in that contest. That said, WKU's offense is ranked third nationally in Total Offense, so you gotta give credit where credit is due. That is just a top notch unit that MT went up against. I think the yardage gained was more of MT conceding that they were not going to stop the passing attack, and instead focusing on stopping the run - an area where they did hold WKU to a 3.5 yard average per carry. Heading in to the year, the defense was expected to be the strength of the team given the standout players that are on that side of the ball, but they admittedly got a raw deal going up against a fantastic rushing attack in Minnesota, followed by a brutal passing attack from WKU. I think you'll start to see things level out from here.
4. This game might be the the last in this series for awhile, do MTSU fans want this series renewed?
Bowman- I think the consensus among MT fans is that they definitely want to see the series continue. Of course, MT's success against the Tigers in this latest go-round has a lot to do with that, but most see it as a plus for both schools in general. The matchup serves as an easy road trip that both fanbases can travel to, and it creates more awareness throughout the state for both programs, not only from the media, but also recruits within the state. Add to that the fact that Tommy West now serves as a coordinator on MT's staff, and you have yet another element to add to the mix. The more fuel for the fire, the better.
5. How do you see this game playing out and what's your prediction for the game?
Bowman- I see this game being much closer than previous meetings, and much closer than what the betting lines are suggesting right now. The last number I saw had Memphis as a 12-point favorite, which I think is very high given these two teams' history. Had Middle lost the WKU game last week, I would have given the Tigers the advantage in this game, without a doubt. However, Middle has proven to be a very tough team from a mental standpoint, and they will be riding high coming in to this game. I think that momentum is enough to carry them forward, as a win would put them at 3-1 and sitting very well in the grand scheme of things. I wouldn't be surprised to see this game come down to the final drive. What I predict is that if Middle has the ball in that scenario, they'll find a way to score. If the defense is on the field, they'll find a way to avoid breaking. Final score: MT 31, Memphis 28.
1. From a superstar standpoint, who are some of the better players on MTSU that Memphis needs to worry about and why?
Bowman- The guy who is making the biggest waves right now - on offense at least - is WR Ed'Marques Batties. He has been just as good as advertised since coming from the JUCO ranks. Through three games, he has caught 13 balls for 168 yards and a score. That score happened to be an amazing back-shoulder grab to win the game against Western Kentucky in triple OT. Not only is he developing into a top playmaker on offense, he is also leaving his mark in the special teams department, where he has already returned a punt for a TD this year as well.
As far as the defense goes, LB T.T. Barber and S Kevin Byard are your stars, so to speak. Barber is a relentless player with a non-stop motor who really thrives on laying the wood and making the big plays. Byard, on the other hand, is on pace to shatter school - and potentially NCAA - record when it comes to INTs returned for TDs. He already has two picks on the year, and is already 6th on the school's all time list for total INTs.
2. Offensively, what kind of schemes and philosophies can Memphis expect to see Saturday?
Bowman- On offense, with QB Austin Grammer controlling the reigns, head coach Rick Stockstil and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner have re-introduced the read-option design that has been missing from the mix over the past few years. Grammer is fast and shifty, and has shown great awareness in the pocket so far this year, so they have been more inclined to let him loose at times. MT also has a stable of capable RBs who get their fair share of touches throughout the course of the game. MT will most certainly feed them the rock as a means of keeping opposing defense's honest.
Defensively, MT plays an aggressive brand of ball, but they also cater their schemes to focus on their oppositions weaknesses. They are very much a "bend but don't break" unit. MT will give up yards (as evidenced by the WKU game), but they always seem to turn it on in the right moments of the game to get the necessary stops or turnovers that are needed.
3. Defensively, MTSU gave up over 700 yards to WKU. Do you see this continuing or can MTSU sure up the defense?
Bowman- Obviously, those numbers are a tad misleading due to the sheer fact that the game was spread out over three OT's, but MT definitely did not have their best showing in that contest. That said, WKU's offense is ranked third nationally in Total Offense, so you gotta give credit where credit is due. That is just a top notch unit that MT went up against. I think the yardage gained was more of MT conceding that they were not going to stop the passing attack, and instead focusing on stopping the run - an area where they did hold WKU to a 3.5 yard average per carry. Heading in to the year, the defense was expected to be the strength of the team given the standout players that are on that side of the ball, but they admittedly got a raw deal going up against a fantastic rushing attack in Minnesota, followed by a brutal passing attack from WKU. I think you'll start to see things level out from here.
4. This game might be the the last in this series for awhile, do MTSU fans want this series renewed?
Bowman- I think the consensus among MT fans is that they definitely want to see the series continue. Of course, MT's success against the Tigers in this latest go-round has a lot to do with that, but most see it as a plus for both schools in general. The matchup serves as an easy road trip that both fanbases can travel to, and it creates more awareness throughout the state for both programs, not only from the media, but also recruits within the state. Add to that the fact that Tommy West now serves as a coordinator on MT's staff, and you have yet another element to add to the mix. The more fuel for the fire, the better.
5. How do you see this game playing out and what's your prediction for the game?
Bowman- I see this game being much closer than previous meetings, and much closer than what the betting lines are suggesting right now. The last number I saw had Memphis as a 12-point favorite, which I think is very high given these two teams' history. Had Middle lost the WKU game last week, I would have given the Tigers the advantage in this game, without a doubt. However, Middle has proven to be a very tough team from a mental standpoint, and they will be riding high coming in to this game. I think that momentum is enough to carry them forward, as a win would put them at 3-1 and sitting very well in the grand scheme of things. I wouldn't be surprised to see this game come down to the final drive. What I predict is that if Middle has the ball in that scenario, they'll find a way to score. If the defense is on the field, they'll find a way to avoid breaking. Final score: MT 31, Memphis 28.
