Thoughts on MT's Loss to North Texas

Down Goes Blankenship

Junior safety Reed Blankenship has been an absolute stud for Middle Tennessee State during his time as a Blue Raider.

Blankenship has accumulated 58 total tackles to go with two interceptions and three pass deflections in 2019. In 2018 he had 107 total tackles and four interceptions.

Out of those 58 tackles in 2019, 40 of those tackles were solo tackles and 18 were assisted tackles.

Blankenship suffered a gruesome injury in the third quarter Saturday. Blankenship's ankle snapped when he went down. At that point, it was apparent to anyone watching that this was a serious injury.

Blankenship was carted off the football field and was taken to a hospital.

The plan is for Blankenship to remain in Dallas, where he will undergo surgery.

This loss cannot really be overstated. Blankenship is the glue to the Blue Raiders defense. He is the linchpin of the MTSU defense, and is really the last line of defense out there at the safety spot.

Simply put, Blankenship masks a lot of deficiencies out there defensively. With Blankenship out, you can definitely chalk up another couple of losses for MTSU.

in the words, if Blankenship doesn't come back, you can add another loss or two.

What a Demoralizing Defeat

All things considered, the ballgame Saturday was an incredible game. There were highs for both teams, and there were certainly lows for both teams.

If you were not a fan of either team, you could really just kick back in your recliner and enjoy the action.

Heck, even as a fan of either team, you have to admit that the game was drama and action packed.

Even though it was an awesome contest, this was a demoralizing defeat for the Blue Raiders and a blow to the psyche.

Blue Raiders fans are chomping at the bit with criticism, and rightly so.

MT certainly had the opportunity to pounce and win this ballgame.

Also, this game was a morale killer, especially if you are a fan of the Blue Raiders.

I have to admit and concede, as a writer, that this squashes my optimism when it comes to MT's chances to compete for and win a conference championship.

Looking forward: Where to go from here

There is no way around the fact that Middle Tennessee State is now behind the eight ball when it comes to the Conference USA Eastern Division race.

They are now currently fifth in the Conference USA eastern division, which contains seven teams.

***These are the current standings in the eastern division***

1. Western Kentucky: 4-0 in league play.

2. Marshall: 2-1 in league play.

3. Florida Atlantic: 2-1 in league play.

4. Florida International: 2-2 in league play.

5. Middle Tennessee State: 1-2 in league play.

6. Charlotte: 0-3 in league play.

7. Old Dominion: 0-3 in league play.

Glancing at MT's slate the rest of the way, it's hard to see Middle carving a path to the Conference USA championship game. I'll be honest, there was some optimism on my end after Marshall took down Florida Atlantic in a thriller of a game.

That optimism was zapped after the game Saturday.

***Here is Middle's schedule the rest of the way***

- FIU

- @ Charlotte

- Rice

- Old Dominion

- @ Western Kentucky

Sure, you could make the argument that there are certainly winnable games left for Middle. After all, Old Dominion, Charlotte and Rice are winless in league play.

In all honestly, I don't see MTSU sweeping those teams. They will stub their toe along the way once, if not twice.

If you made me guess right now I would say Middle will lose to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and FIU.