FACTS & STATS: Site: Floyd Stadium (30,788) -- Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Television: ESPN Regional. Home Record: Troy 0-0, MTU 0-0. Away Record: Troy 0-0, MTU 0-0. Neutral Record: Troy 0-0, MTU 0-0. Conference Record: Troy 0-0, MTU 0-0. Series Record: Middle Tennessee leads, 11-4.

GAME NOTES: For the third consecutive season the Blue Raiders will open a new campaign against a league foe, as Middle Tennessee will host the Troy Trojans Thursday evening in a Sun Belt Conference tilt at Floyd Stadium. Unlike the Blue Raiders, this will be the first season-opener against a conference foe for Troy since 1968. The Trojans are an impressive 12-5 in season-openers since head coach Larry Blakeney took over the reins. Last year the Trojans put forth their third winning ledger in the last four seasons, but even with an 8-4 mark the team did not earn a bowl bid. As for the Blue Raiders, they took a step back last season, finishing the year with a lackluster 5-7 record. However, the Blue Raiders have been extremely tough at home against conference opponents, posting a 16-8 ledger at Floyd Stadium against Sun Belt teams. After winning the first eight matchups against Troy in the all-time series, the Trojans have turned the tables on MTU over the recent years, winning four of the last seven meetings.

The Trojans were a dominating offensive unit last season, but the departure of quarterback Omar Haugabook (29 total touchdowns in '07) will leave coach Blakeney relying on an inexperienced signal-caller. Sophomore Jamie Hampton will take over under center, but the young QB only made 11 pass attempts a year ago, so he is extremely raw. Along with a young quarterback, the Trojans will have to depend on some new blood at the receiver position. Jerrel Jernigan is the top returning wideout, but the sophomore only finished with 30 receptions and three TDs. Again the loss of Haugabook will leave the ground attack reeling as well, as the signal-caller rushed for 631 yards. On top of that, the team will have to replace its top running back Kenny Cattouse, who led the team with 791 yards. Entering the opener the team will have to look to Nathan Nolin to produce out of the backfield, but the junior has yet to play a meaningful game at Troy.

The Trojans were embarrassed against the run last year, allowing 195 ypg on the ground. However, three starters are back on the front line, including Kenny Mainor, who racked up five sacks last year, and will likely be the team's anchor in '08. Boris Lee is also back at the middle linebacker position and is clearly the motor that keeps this defense moving. Lee finished with a team-high 82 tackles last year, and was selected to the first team Sun Belt Conference squad. The defensive backfield took the biggest off-season loss as standout corner Leodis McKelvin moved onto the NFL. Trevor Ford and Chris Bowens will take over the cornerback positions and will likely be tested early and often on Thursday night.

The Blue Raiders head into this new campaign with a controversy at quarterback. Both Joe Craddock and Dwight Dasher performed well last year, but the two signal-callers also struggled with injuries. Craddock is a much more accurate passer, but Dasher is dangerous both with his arm, and legs. On top of throwing for 1,148 yards, the sophomore QB also paced the team with 530 rushing yards and could be under center Thursday against Troy. If Dasher is the starting quarterback, the Blue Raiders could have a dangerous duel rushing attack, as Desmond Gee will take over the tailback duties. Gee is a tiny back at 5-8, but the junior is capable of finding the end zone whenever he touches the football. Gee also grabbed 29 passes out of the backfield, and will likely play a larger role this year in the passing attack. Patrick Honeycutt should be the main receiving threat for MTU, as the junior wideout is looking to build off a mediocre sophomore campaign.

The defensive unit for MTU this past season was overwhelmed on the ground and through the air, as the team was pounded for over 400 ypg and 28.3 ppg. The front line was practically nonexistent a year ago, but with two starters returning, the Blue Raiders should make a slight improve against the run. Brandon Perry also gives the team some depth up front, as the tackle was injured in week one last season. The linebacking corps should also be improved for the Blue Raiders as the group is paced by junior Danny Carmichael, a 6-0, 238-pound field general who racked up 55 stops last season. In the secondary, Middle Tennessee should be strong with the return of sophomore free safety Jeremy Kellem and junior corner Alex Suber. Kellem stepped up as a true freshman and led the team with three interceptions, while Suber shut down opposing wideouts and registered 59 stops and 7.5 TFLs.

Both teams enter this opener with plenty of new faces on the offensive side of the football, and when that is the case it usually leads to a low-scoring affair. If Dasher is on the field for the Blue Raiders, he should be able to lead them to a slim victory at home.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Middle Tennessee 27, Troy 21