2015-2016 Football Previews (C-USA) – Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd were starting to raise some eyebrows within the BCS Playoff Committee in 2014. They were not just beating opponents, but rather trashing them by nearly 30 points a game. The only thing keeping the Thundering Herd out of any sort of high ranking was their lack of schedule.
However, that became a moot point when they allowed Western Kentucky to score 67 points en route to a 67-66 overtime loss.
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C-USA 2015-2016 College Football Preview- Marshall Thundering Herd
Head Coach: Rick Stockstill
20114 Record: 6-6
Marshall Odds to Win C-USA: 7/1
Marshall did rebound and found themselves in the C-USA Championship. They eventually went on to win the conference and their bowl game.
Now, life goes on without QB Rakeem Cato. Can Marshall be just as dangerous offensively?
Team Strengths
Returning Playmaker: Marshall did lose Cato, but that doesn’t mean their offense has any reason to panic. Returning to the offense are Devon Johnson, Steward Butler, and Remi Watson. Watson rushed for over 3,000 yards and Johnson averaged 20 yards per reception.
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Marshall has the explosiveness factor back that allowed them to run the score up on opponents in 2014. They also return Angelo Jean-Louis, Deon-Tay McManus and senior Davonte Allen. The three wideouts averaged nearly 22 yards per catch in 2014.
Marshall averaged 45.6 points per game last season which was 3rd in all of football. However, they won games by stopping the pass. They were sacking the QB once every 9 plays. Marshall allowed just 21.0 points per game in a high scoring, fast paced conference. If they can repeat that feat in 2015, look out.
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Team Weaknesses:
QB: Marshall has essentially all it’s offensive playmakers back. However, a lot of pressure will be on JR. QB Gunnar Holcombe. The Junior had only 21 pass attempts in 2014 and doesn’t have much experience in tight game situations. If he can settle in and keep Marshall’s offense flowing like Cato did, things will be fine. Time will tell how the new QB handles the pressure situations should he be put in any close late games.
Rush Defense: The opposition knew all about Marshall’s dominating pass defense. The rush defense however was sub par for Marshall. Team’s were able to keep up with Marshall by gaining big chunks of yards on 1st and 2nd down to set up short 3rd down situations. This in turn allowed the opposition to control the clock and keep the Marshall offense off the field.
2015-2016 Marshall Thundering Herd Prediction: 12-0
Marshall has a similar easy schedule like the one they did in 2014. They open up at home against a weak Big Ten opponent in Purdue and take on 2 MAC teams during their non conference portion. Marshall will have to get Gunnar Holcombe settled in early because teams like Middle Tennessee and Old Dominion are much improved.
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Marshall can easily be 11-0 going into the final week of the season with their chance at revenge when they travel to Western Kentucky. Should that be the case, Marshall will have a giant chip on their shoulder.
Marshall Thundering Herd 2015 Schedule:
| Regular Season | |||
| Date | Time | vs | |
| 9/6/15 | 3:00 PM ET | PUR | |
| 9/12/15 | 7:00 PM ET | @OHIO | |
| 9/19/15 | 3:30 PM ET | NORF | |
| 9/26/15 | TBD | @KENT | |
| 10/3/15 | TBD | ODU | |
| 10/10/15 | TBD | SOMIS | |
| 10/17/15 | TBD | @FAU | |
| 10/24/15 | TBD | UNT | |
| 10/31/15 | TBD | @CHAR | |
| 11/7/15 | TBD | @MTU | |
| 11/14/15 | TBD | FIU | |
| 11/27/15 | 12:00 PM ET | @WKU | |
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