– If the tone of Middle Tennessee's first press conference of the 2017 season Wednesday showed anything about this year's Blue Raiders, it's that they're anxious to get into action.The Raiders finished their third day of summer camp Wednesday, and excitement is high early on with a visit from Vanderbilt looming on Sept. 2 to begin the regular season."We're really excited about this year," head coachsaid. "We're two days into practice already, and it's been two really good days. I think we've got a good edge and a good sense of urgency about us."The players have entered this year's camp with a chip on their shoulder. After losing three of five games to end the 2016 season, including a 52-35 letdown against Hawai'i in the Hawai'i Bowl, they feel like there's something to prove in 2017.Though, that doesn't mean they're looking at the past."I don't think we're talking about last year at all," redshirt junior quarterbacksaid. "I think we know what we're capable of – we had a few slip-ups, but that's not crossing our minds."We've competed with the best and beaten some really good opponents. So, we just have to be a mature team each and every week. No slip ups and just go to work, be a pro every day."Expectations externally are a little different this season than they were at the same time in 2016.A year ago, Middle Tennessee was picked by Conference USA media members to win the East division. After an 8-5 season and third-place finish in the East last year – which broke a streak of four straight seasons finishing second in their division or conference – the Blue Raiders are picked to finish second to WKU in the East in 2017.While the media may not be picking the Blue Raiders to finally win a first outright conference championship under Stockstill, the writing is on the wall for them to have a banner year if they can do a few key things leading up to the regular season."One, we have to play better defense," the head coach said. "If we can play better defensively and continue to improve offensively, and in the kicking game, then I believe in November when the dust settles then I believe we will have a chance to compete for [a conference title]."That defense is hoping to be much improved behind a new defensive coordinator.Former Syracuse head coachtook over the job in January and has brought a new mindset and slightly altered scheme."For me, you know what you want to get into scheme-wise, but it's getting to know who [the players] are as people and get to know them," he said. "I've really enjoyed getting to know them. Coach Stock and his staff has done a nice job bringing in kids that love to play the game and with that comes work ethics because they don't see it as work. That's the thing I've appreciated the most about this bunch is they work hard."Whatever Shafer has told his players has seemed to work so far."This year, we're really focusing on flying to the ball, getting all 11 guys to the ball after every play," senior linebackersaid. "We're really going back to the fundamentals of the game and working our way up."Offensively, coordinatorenters his second season during his current stint with Middle Tennessee (he was also the offensive coordinator for one year in 2009).The Blue Raider offense will have a lot to live up to after setting numerous school single-season records last year, including points scored and total offense. Franklin is hoping new offensive linemen (three starters graduated from last year's team) can mesh immediately and a running back can stand out in the crowd likedid in his lone season in the 'Boro last year."You hope that somebody jumps out and says 'If you don't give me the ball 20 times a game, something's wrong with you,' but if it doesn't happen or maybe three of them say that, then it's a good problem to have," Franklin said. "I can't tell right now because we haven't gotten into the padded stuff yet, but I like all of those guys."Even withmissing all of spring practice due to offseason shoulder surgery, he and the new guys stepping into big roles in the offense have gelled nicely through three days of practice. Most notably, he and his offensive line have really bonded."Today is only day three, but it's going good," junior right guardsaid. "Losing those three guys from last year is tough, but we're filling in the holes really well."Wednesday's practice was the first time this season the players were able to wear pads instead of a helmet and shorts, and with exactly a month until Vanderbilt makes the short trip to Floyd Stadium, there's plenty to work on for every player.But, that doesn't mean Coach Stockstill, the other coaches and the players aren't itching for it to finally get here."I like this team, I like the makeup of our team," Coach Stockstill said. "We're really excited to coach this team the next few weeks as we prepare for the opener against Vanderbilt."