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Marshall Thundering Herd 2006 Preview

Marshall Football Preview By: Matt Fargo
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college football previews :#94– Marshall Thundering Herd Preview

by: Matt Fargo

Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#94– Marshall Thundering Herd 4-7 SU; 4-5-1 ATS

Fargo’s Take - Marshall went through a rebuilding year last season and its 4-7 record was fairly impressive because of that. Head coach Mark Snyder will be in his second season but his first where he has had control of his team from spring practices. This was one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the country last year but it fought hard throughout and had three losses of five points or less. This could be the most improved team in C-USA this season as long as the offense can improve upon its 18.5 ppg scored last season which ranked 102nd in the country. Nine starters on back on that unit compared to just two in 2005 so we should see a dramatic increase. Defensively, the Herd played well despite returning just three starters and they should improve on that side of the ball as well. The ranking this season is low because of the uncertainties and the toughness of the schedule but by season’s end, this could be a top 50 team.

Returning Starters on Offense – 9 The offense averaged 10 more ypg last season than it did in 2004 but the ppg average decreased by nearly six ppg. Simply put, Marshall couldn’t get the ball into the endzone but that should change this season as the running game will be much better behind an experienced and enormous offensive line. The starting line averages 314 pounds and will pave the way for running back Ahmad Bradshaw, easily the team’s most athletic player. The three-wideout set will be lessened to get more two-back sets involved which will take pressure off quarterback Bernard Morris, who had a very lackluster sophomore campaign. He will be backed up by senior Jimmy Skinner who is the better passer but lacks the same athleticism. A two-quarterback system is a definite possibility with both getting significant time.

Returning Starters on Defense – 6 The defense was overshadowed by the inept offense and it was the stop unit that kept Marshall in all of the close games. The Herd finished 33rd in the country in total defense including 12th against the pass. ¾ of the secondary needs to be replaced however and what was the best unit on the defense could be this season’s worst. The defensive line is the strength and despite the dismissal of starting tackle Adrian Davis, it still returns three other starters. The two best linebackers return with Dennis Thornton and Matt Couch anchoring the middle and both were tackling machines last season with 104 and 97 stops respectively. Turnovers were an issue last year as the Herd had just 19 takeaways so getting the ball on defense is going to have to improve.

Schedule - Five of the first seven games are on the road and none of them are easy. Marshall starts the season at West Virginia and following a home date with Hofstra, the Herd travel to Kansas St. and Tennessee the next two weeks. A bye week gives them two weeks to prepare for the C-USA home opener against Central Florida, one of the favorites to win the title in 2006. Marshall is then back on the road for two more weeks at SMU and UAB, neither of which are cakewalks. In the second half, the Herd catch a break with Memphis and UTEP coming to Huntington but a trip to Southern Mississippi in the season finale is a bear. Two of the top teams in the conference, Tulsa and Houston, are not on the schedule which is a fortunate occurrence.

You can bet on… Marshall will have a much better offense this season but how much better will determine how much improvement there will be in the win/loss record. Last year was the first losing season in Marshall in 18 years so another sub-.500 season will not go over well. The Herd were not profitable for their backers last season but that could change this year with the better offense. This team has faced six top 25 teams in the last three years, going 5-1 against the number and that doesn’t include the cover against Kansas St. last season. The three non-conference foes on the schedule this year had better not be looking ahead or they could be fighting for their lives.