MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raider football team will be in the national spotlight again this week as they host Marshall.
An important East Division contest Thursday night opens this week's action, as first place Marshall heads to Middle Tennessee (6:30 p.m. CDT on Fox Sports 1). The Thundering Herd and Blue Raiders have not met since the 1994 NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
Expect the defenses to play a key role in this one, as Marshall leads C-USA and is 10th in the FBS in total defense and Middle Tennessee leads the league and is tied for third nationally in turnovers forced. Marshall has the most improved scoring defense in the FBS this season, allowing 24 fewer points per game than in 2012.
Middle Tennessee has proved to be one of the most effective pass rushing teams in the conference, tying for second in sacks with 18.
The game can be seen on FOX Sports 1 and can be heard here on WMOT.