If you listened to the questions Alabama football players fielded during SEC Media Days in Nashville, you’d think the Crimson Tide’s season starts Sept. 9 when Texas comes to Bryant-Denny Stadium. The matchup with the Longhorns after last year’s close game in Austin will be one of 2023′s most highly anticipated games.

But it won’t be the season opener, as Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner repeatedly pointed out.

“Of course,” Turner said, when asked whether he was looking forward to the Texas game. “But before week two we’ve got to deal with week one.”

Week one brings Middle Tennessee State to Tuscaloosa for the Blue Raiders’ third all-time matchup against Alabama. The Crimson Tide won both previous games, in 2002 and 2015.

Before UA begins fall camp, here’s what to know about its first opponent.

What to know about 2023 MTSU football

MTSU’s 2022 season was a rousing success by Blue Raider standards. Head coach Rick Stockstill’s bunch finished 8-5 on the way to a win over San Diego State in the Hawaii Bowl.

The highlight of the year came during one of MTSU’s paycheck games, when the Blue Raiders visited Miami. Led by quarterback Chase Cunningham, MTSU, buoyed by defensive turnovers and a 98-yard touchdown pass, knocked off the Hurricanes in their home stadium.

The core of the 2022 squad is no longer in Murfreesboro. Cunningham ran out of eligibility, and his top three receivers are all gone as well.

The Blue Raiders only have five returning starters on offense, and sophomore Nick Vattiato is set to replace Cunningham. He played in just two games last season, but was named Bahamas Bowl MVP in 2021 and made Conference USA’s all-freshman team that year.

Running back Frank Peasant returns after going for 777 yards and nine touchdowns in 182 rushing attempts last season. One of the team’s biggest questions is the offensive line that will be blocking for him this season, which has to replace three of five starters.

On defense, the core from the 2022 MTSU squad returns, other than top defensive end Jordan Ferguson, who had nine sacks last season. Marley Cook and Jordan Branch return as defensive line starters, along with Zaylin Wood, who had 6.5 sacks and a pick six last season.

The secondary lost Decorian Patterson, who was tied for the lead in interceptions nationally last season with seven.The Blue Raiders return two all-CUSA starters in safety Tra Fluellen and cornerback Teldrick Ross, so the group is by no means decimated.

Major college football preview magazines were in agreement on MTSU this season. Athlon Sports, Lindy’s and Phil Steele all predicted the Blue Raiders will finish third in C-USA this season, behind Western Kentucky and Liberty.

Alabama and MTSU are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 in Tuscaloosa. The game will be aired on the SEC Network.