For two years Middle Tennessee was a preseason favorite to win C-USA East or at the least, finish as one of the best teams in the conference. In 2016 they finished 8-5 but third in the division behind WKU and Old Dominion. In 2017 they finished 7-6 and third in the division again, as injuries would force stars Richie James and Brent Stockstill to miss a good chunk of the season.
No longer expected to compete for a conference title by the media, Middle Tennessee entered 2018 with modest expectations. Just make a bowl game.