Stockstill looking to rebuild quickly

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“This was an odd year because (the Sun Belt) was flipped on its head,” Hudspeth said. “But (the traditional powers) will be back. Troy has a recruiting advantage because they can get kids in school a little easier, and coach (Larry) Blakeney is too good of a coach. He’ll have them back.

“And Middle Tennessee is too talented, and I thought they had some talent this year. (Stockstill) will get them righted.”

The topic is timely this week because MTSU finishes its season at North Texas, a team that dominated the Sun Belt for its first four seasons before falling flat.

The Mean Green won four straight Sun Belt titles and 26 consecutive conference games while playing in each of the first four New Orleans Bowls from 2001-04. But once it suddenly dipped with a 2-9 record in 2005, North Texas never recovered. The Mean Green changed coaches and went 8-40 over four seasons under Todd Dodge before firing him and hiring coach Dan McCarney this season, which has produced some favorable signs with a 4-7 record — including three Sun Belt wins and a victory over Indiana.

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