MTSU has been a part of it for the entire way. On Saturday, the Blue Raiders travel to another football founding member of the SBC, Louisiana-Lafayette to open up conference play.

Even though, the Blue Raiders are 1-2, including a 24-17 loss at Memphis last week, they still want to accomplish their main goal of winning the SBC for the third time in school history.

“Our expectations going into the season were to win the Sun Belt,” senior defensive tackle Dwight Smith said. “We are still 0-0 and in perfect position to do what we set out to do at the beginning of the season.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns, however, might have an advantage since ULL had last week off, and it played their first conference contest during the previous week. It was a 31-24 victory at home against Arkansas State. Those two teams and Louisiana-Monroe are the only SBC members to have at least one conference game under their belt this season.

History has shown if the Blue Raiders want to achieve their goal of winning the SBC, it has to start with a victory in the conference opener. MTSU comes to the matchup with a 4-5 all-time record in their SBC openers, including 2-3 on the road. However, it won their first game in 2001, 2006 and last season. Of course, in 2001 and 2006, the Blue Raiders were SBC co-champions, and last season it ended the year with 10 wins. MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill hopes his team can repeat history, but it needs to start.

“If you lose the first one, you are behind the eight ball,” Stockstill said. “This is the most important game on the schedule, and we got to be ready to play.”

The Ragin' Cajuns comes into the game with a 1-1 record, which included the previous mentioned win over ASU two weeks ago, and a 55-7 loss at Georgia to begin the 2010 season. It owns a 6-5 lead in the all-time series against the Blue Raiders, including winning five out of the last seven meeting between the schools.

One of the leaders on ULL is tight end Ladarius Green, he is ranked 27^th in the nation in receiving yards with 92 per game. Green also holds the school record in career receiving yards and catches by a tight end. He is a finalist for the John Mackey Award, which is given to the best tight end in the nation.

“You have to make sure you know where he is all the time,” Stockstill said. “He is really good in the passing game and really good in the running game. Usually you can’t find a guy who is really good in both aspects, but Green is the total package. He has both of those capabilities. You have to know where he is on every snap.”

On the defensive side of the ball, ULL has proven it can stop the run. In the victory of ASU, a couple of weeks ago, it held the Red Wolves to only 18 yards rushing, while, the Blue Raiders lead the SBC in rushing with 188.7 yards per game.

“They are really good on defense,” Stockstill said. “They are a lot like us defensively in that they bring pressure from a lot of different places on the field. You are going to get a lot of pressure on any down. We did not run the ball very good, last week and we have to get better in that area.”

ULL is also known being one of the toughest places for opposing teams in the SBC. A recent ESPN the Magazine article quoted an anonymous source saying ULL has the most intimidating entrance tunnels in the SBC.

“There fan-base is very rowdy,” Smith said. “They love their team just like we do here in Murfreesboro. They do their homework and know things you may not think they would know about you. They do a good job of making it a home field advantage for their team.”

Stockstill is coaching with a heavy heart this week, because of the suicide of one of his former players at South Carolina. Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley was found dead Monday in an apparent suicide at his home, according to a story by the Associated Press and espn.com.

“I was shocked and surprised as anyone when I heard the news last night,” Stockstill said. “I have deep sympathy for the family. I have a respect for him as a person and as a football player.”

The MTSU head coach sent out his thoughts to the family and talked about coaching and recruiting the second-year NFL player, while a member of the Gamecock coaching staff in 2004 and 2005.

“He is wonderful human being with a great smile,” Stockstill calmly said.” He loved to practice and play. He was a great friend and teammate. “

Saturday’s kickoff has been moved from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and it will not be televised.