If you’ve been keeping an eye on the middle tennessee blue raiders football schedule, you know it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. Honestly, Derek Mason’s second year at the helm didn't exactly go to plan for the folks in Murfreesboro. People were expecting a jump. Instead, they got a season defined by "what ifs" and a couple of late-season wins that saved face but couldn't save the record.
Basically, the Blue Raiders finished 3-9. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase used to being a perennial bowl contender. But if you look closely at the results, the story is more about missed opportunities and a defense that couldn't quite hold water during a brutal mid-week stretch in October.
The 2025 Schedule Breakdown: A Brutal Start
The year started with a thud. On August 30, the Blue Raiders welcomed Austin Peay to Floyd Stadium. Most fans penned this in as a "W," but the Governors had other ideas, handing MTSU a 34-14 loss that set a grim tone. It didn't get easier from there.
A trip to Madison followed. Playing Wisconsin at Camp Randall is a bucket-list item for fans, but a nightmare for a rebuilding defense. The Badgers cruised 42-10.
Then came the one bright spot of the early season: a cross-country flight to Reno. In a grit-and-grind game, Middle Tennessee edged out Nevada 14-13. For a moment, it felt like the season might have legs. Nicholas Vattiato, the veteran quarterback who has seen it all, managed to keep the offense on schedule just enough to steal a road win.
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The Mid-Season Slump
Once Conference USA play ramped up, the wheels sort of fell off. The middle tennessee blue raiders football schedule is famous (or infamous) for those "CUSA-tion" mid-week games. Wednesday nights on ESPN2 sound great for exposure, but they are a physical meat grinder.
- October 8: A heartbreaker against Missouri State (22-20).
- October 22: A long trip to Newark where Delaware outlasted the Raiders 31-28.
- October 29: A three-point loss to Jacksonville State (24-21).
Losing three games by a combined eight points? That’s the difference between a bowl game and staying home. It’s kinda heartbreaking when you think about the effort guys like Nahzae Cox and Myles Butler put in out wide.
Defensive Struggles and the "100 Miles of Hate"
The defense, led by Brian Stewart, struggled to find a rhythm. While Alex Mitchell was a tackling machine in the middle, the secondary often got exposed against the better passing attacks in the league. This was most evident on November 8, when FIU came to town and dropped 56 points.
Then there was the rivalry. The "100 Miles of Hate" against Western Kentucky. On November 15, the Hilltoppers showed why they are currently the big dogs in the region, winning 42-26. It wasn't as close as the score suggests.
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Finishing on a High Note
If there’s one reason for optimism heading into the next cycle, it’s how the team refused to quit. When the record sat at 1-9, they could have folded. They didn't.
They beat Sam Houston 31-17 at home. Then, in the finale on November 29, they traveled to Las Cruces and beat New Mexico State 31-24 in overtime. Vattiato was the hero there, proving that while the team had flaws, the leadership at QB wasn't one of them.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 middle tennessee blue raiders football schedule is already taking shape, and it looks just as challenging. Here is what we know about the upcoming non-conference slate:
- September 5: vs. Murray State
- September 12: at Marshall
- September 19: at Kansas
- September 26: vs. Nevada
The Kansas game is going to be a massive test. The Jayhawks have turned into a Big 12 power, and a trip to Lawrence is no longer a "payday" game where you expect to keep it close.
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Why the 2025 Record is Deceiving
Experts like those at FBSchedules and local beat writers note that MTSU played one of the younger rosters in the conference. The offensive line, which struggled significantly during the four-game losing streak in October, was starting two redshirt freshmen for a large chunk of the year.
Nuance matters. You've got to look at the injuries too. Losing key pieces in the trenches early on forced Derek Mason into a "plug and play" mode that rarely works in FBS football.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to follow the Blue Raiders through the offseason and into 2026, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: With Vattiato being a graduate, the search for the next signal-caller is paramount. Keep an eye on the spring portal window.
- Monitor Coaching Changes: While Mason is likely safe for year three, the offensive staff might see some shuffling after a season of inconsistent scoring.
- Check the Mid-week Dates: As soon as the CUSA schedule drops in February, mark those Wednesday and Tuesday nights. They define the season's momentum.
- Floyd Stadium Upgrades: Keep tabs on the "Build Blue" project. The facilities are catching up to the rest of the league, which should help with recruiting the mid-state talent that has been leaking to Memphis or the Sun Belt.
The season was rough. No doubt. But the win in Las Cruces showed there's still some fight in Murfreesboro.