College Football Predictions – Marshall Thundering Herd 2020 College Football Preview
August 20, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 4-9
So close, and yet so far.
Marshall came REALLY close to appearing in the Conference USA Championship game but endured a pair of unnecessary conference losses (MTSU, Charlotte). It didn’t help that Florida Atlantic was a JUGGERNAUT, but the Herd have to feel that they missed an opportunity to win the division. They won six of their final seven regular season games but were defeated by UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl (L 48-25).
Do the Thundering Herd have the MINERALS to compete for a conference title this year?
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – #2
Conference USA – #3
Marshall Thundering Herd 2019 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Herd did a decent job on the ground last year (#2 C-USA rushing offense) but didn’t have the success in the THROW GAME necessary to balance things out. QB Isaiah Green had a mediocre 15-11 TD to INT mark LY whilst completing 56% of his passes. Green will be under center this season and they need to get more production out of the WR group. Recall that nobody in that unit tallied more than 400 yards receiving LY AND they will certainly miss their excellent TE Armani Levias who led the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2019. RB Brenden Knox is the STRAW that STIRS THE DRINK and will be the focal point of the offense after rushing for almost 1,400 yards and 11 TDs LY. Knox should have another yuuuuuge year on the ground given that the Herd returns four starters up front and have one of the stronger offensive lines in the conference. The one departure was their excellent center Levi Brown, so it’ll be interesting to see how things come together this year.
Marshall should be able to DO WHAT THEY DO on offense. Hopefully, they can find some explosiveness at WR.
DEFENSE
Marshall’s overall performance took a drop for the second consecutive year and they finished up ranked #5 in the conference in scoring defense (25.8 PPG) and #7 in total defense (380 YPG). They weren’t particularly stout vs the run, nor effective vs the pass, but they did finish #4 in C-USA in sacks (35). Their overall PENETRATION level left a bit to be desired (2nd last C-USA in TFL/game). Only four starters return to the mix this year but there are a very nice pieces to build around. DE Darius Hodge is one of the more dangerous pass rushers in C-USA and he led the team in sacks LY (7). Fellow DE Koby Cumberlander bagged 4.5 sacks LY and gives them a nice weapon on the other side of the DL. LB Tevante Beckett is their leader and best defensive player and he led the team in tackles a season ago (121). He’s the only starting LB to return this year. They must find a new pair of starting CBs.
The Herd have been above average in most recent seasons on defense. We think they’ll improve this year given that they have some top notch performers, and note that they’ve added a number of bodies via transfer.
Special Teams
Ugh. They have to replace their excellent PK Justin Rohrwasser (18/21 FG, 7/8 from 40+ LY) who was a ROCK. PR Talik Keaton is a CERTIFIED WEAPON at PR.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – We’re still anxiously awaiting the final schedule. They lost a conference game (ODU) and will face Eastern Kentucky (H), East Carolina (A) and Appalachian St (H) to start the campaign. They open the C-USA slate with a FREE SQUARE (Rice) but face the nasty Hilltoppers the following week. Three of their final four games are at home.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at FIU (October 31st)
This road game comes after a really tough three-game stretch (at WKU, at La Tech, FAU). How much will they have left in the tank?
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number. <awaiting final schedule>
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Marshall booked five MAC titles from 1997 to 2002.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This team is good enough on both sides of the ball to make another run at the division title. They’ll need a bit more explosiveness on offense to get it done in a competitive C-USA East. The road date with Western Kentucky is yuuuuge and they’ll be in good shape if they can pull of the upset. Puncher’s chance of making their Conference-USA Championship Game since 2014.
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