The Marshall Thundering Herd had a very nice 2013, going 10-4 overall and 7-1 in Conference USA. They did lose to Rice in the Conf USA title game, but then bounced back with a 31-20 win over Maryland in the Military Bowl. Now with 59 lettermen back, including 14 starters, the Herd are set up for what may very well be a magical season for them. Schedule & Preview below.
Marshall’s high powered offense put up 42.1 ppg last year and 40.9 ppg in 2012 and will be very strong again this year. 6 starters are back on this side of the ball, including Rakeem Cato, who is rated in the top 10 of QB’s in the nation. Last year he threw for 3919 yards with 39 Tds and just 8 INTs. Cato has his favorite target back in Tommy Shuler, who had 106 catches for 1165 yards and 10 TDs last year. Overall this is the WR corps in Conf USA. The Herd did lose 1000 yard back Essray Taliaferro, but Steward Butler is back after rumbling for 765 yards at 8.8 ypc last year. The OL has 3 starters back and plenty of depth so they are a solid group overall, that will open holes for the running game, while also protecting Cato. In 2012 the defense allowed 43.1 ppg, but last year they improved to 22.9 ppg allowed. This year with 8 starters back they could be even better. The DL is led by James Rouse, who had 14 TFL last year. This is a deep group and should be better than last year’s unit that allowed just 3.7 ypc. The LB corps is rated 23rd best in the nation, while the secondary, led by AJ Legett (4 INTs last year) has been rated as 16th bet in the nation by Phil Steele.
Marshall has no East Carolina to worry about this year and they may have been the only team to take this team down this year. Marshall comes in with the best offense in the league, plus the best defense, as well as the 2nd best special teams unit. With 59 letterman back they are one of the most experienced team in the nation and all the experience will be facing the 122nd toughest schedule in the Nation. This team is loaded and the only team that can beat Marshal this year is well uh Marshall. A 13-0 record and a very nice bowl invite should await them, but their strength of schedule will not put them in the playoffs. KEY TREND: 1-8 ATS as road favorites of 12 or more points.
2014 Marshall Thundering Herd Football Schedule
Aug. 30 at Miami-Ohio.
Sep. 6 Rhode Island
Sep. 13 Ohio
Sep. 20 at Akron
Sep. 27 OPEN DATE
Oct. 4 at Old Dominion
Oct. 11 Middle Tenn
Oct. 18 at FIU
Oct. 25 Florida Atlantic
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 8 at Southern Miss
Nov. 15 Rice
Nov. 22 at UAB
Nov. 28 WKU
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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