Second-year coach Rick Stockstill will have a hard time following up his first act.

All Stockstill did last season was take a team picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt and lead them to a share of the league title (with Troy) and the program's first ever bowl berth (Motor City).

Replacing quarterback Clint Marks is the biggest charge in the spring, and it appears junior-to-be Joe Craddock has the upper hand on Salin Simpson, Patrick Jackson and Gene Delle Donne.

The Blue Raiders also lost a durable tailback in Eugene Gross, a four-year starter, but senior-to-be DeMarco McNair and sophomore-to-be Phillip Tanner should provide a very good 1-2 punch.

Sophomore-to-be Desmond Gee was the team's most explosive playmaker and will again be used as a tailback and wide-out.

Defensively, the Blue Raiders' defensive line should be the best in the conference, but the key will be replacing linebackers Justin Rainey and J.K. Sabb.

Junior-to-be Lonnie Clemons has the potential as good as Rainey and Sabb, and the Blue Raiders also will look to Andrew Harrington and Ivon Hickman -- two mid-term junior college transfers -- to start or provide depth at the position.

BUILDING BLOCKS: The Blue Raiders return an outstanding defensive line, which was a key to them recording a school-record 105 tackles for losses and 36 sacks. MTSU defensive ends Erik Walden and Tavares Jones, who will be seniors, are on the Lombardi Award watch list, while senior-to-be Sean Mosley is just as effective in the rotation. Defensive tackle Trevor Jenkins is a great run stopper and is very quick at 285 pounds. Senior-to-be Derek Mason is the team's most improved player and will be a player to watch in 2007.

COACHING CAROUSEL: Running backs coach Larry Kirksey took a job with the Houston Texans and was replaced by Willie Simmons, who came from Clemson.

SCHEDULE SITUATION: The Blue Raiders will know how they stack up in league play early as the open the season at Florida Atlantic, which should be one of the top contenders this season. MTSU then plays at Louisville and LSU. The Blue Raiders play Virginia at home, which will be the first "name" opponent they've faced in Murfreesboro. They also begin a five-game schedule with Memphis on the road.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "To me, (the starting quarterback) is a guy who can lead the offense and get first downs, and then first downs lead to touchdowns. It'll be the guy who protects the ball the best and doesn't make the big mistake that gets you beat. It may not be the flashiest guy, but he'll probably be the most consistent guy." -- Second-year Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill, referring to the team's battle at quarterback between Joe Craddock, Salin Simpson, Patrick Jackson and Gene Delle Donne.

STARS OF 2007: RB/WR Desmond Gee -- As a true freshman, he caught 27 passes for three touchdowns, rushed for almost 300 yards and five touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass.

DB/KR Damon Nickson -- The all-conference safety and kick returner was third on the team with 61 tackles and led the Blue Raiders with five interceptions. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.

DL Erick Walden -- The senior-to-be is the school's all-time leader in sacks. He had 11 1/2 last season. He is on the Lombardi Award watch list.

DE Tavares Jones -- The senior-to-be also is a Lombardi Award candidate. He had 9 tackles for losses and six sacks last season.

TOP NEWCOMERS: WR Walter Dozier -- The two-time All-State selection was thought to be going to Memphis. Because the Blue Raiders are weak at wide receiver, Dozier will have a chance to make an immediate impact.

LBs Andrew Harrington -- He played at East Central Mississippi Junior College and is a mid-term signee who is going threw spring drills.

LB Ivon Hickman -- He also played East Central Mississippi, is a mid-term signee and will contend for a starting job this season.

DB Ted Riley -- He was a second-team junior college All-American at Eastern Arizona Community College. Although the Blue Raiders return most of their secondary, Riley could end up starting or providing good depth.

ROSTER REPORT: TE Alvin Ingle (shoulder), LB Chance Dunleavy (knee), FB Hunter Birtsch (knee) are out. Starting senior DB Roy Polite has been suspended for the spring for a violation of team rules. His future status will be determined before fall camp.