The bottom line here is that winning 13 games in a row is ridiculously difficult. If it weren't, we'd see it all of the time. I feel the main reason Marshall is in the discussion of the access bowl is because of the accolades from the media pundits and a possible "others receiving votes" (if not higher) start in the polls...The issue is, all of that won't matter one bit if we lose because we're gonna get everyone's "A" game and had better have our chinstraps buckled tightly otherwise we could really just stomp 'er flat!

In response to the MTSU poster. I'm not sure about your "run first" comment...While initially true a couple of seasons ago, the playcalling has been pretty indiscriminate. We don't care to run any time...Cato reads what the D is giving, so to paint us as a run first team is using a pretty broad brush.

I painted you guys as a pass first, pass second and run it when the time is right.

MT has been run first in recent years.

(06-17-2014 03:52 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I painted you guys as a pass first, pass second and run it when the time is right.

MT has been run first in recent years.

It's completely based on what Cato sees at the line of scrimmage. We had an 1000 yard rusher last season.

(06-12-2014 02:48 PM)AirRaid Wrote:  

(06-12-2014 12:21 PM)ESE84 Wrote:  

(06-12-2014 11:50 AM)AirRaid Wrote:  AAC SOS> CUSA SOS

Again, this will be a fun season. We're assuming Marshall has that 13-0 season and we have seen those blow up in unexpected places (see Houston, University of, in 2011). You are assuming that past C-USA and AAC records/pre-season projections will hold in 2014 actual results (that's why we play the games). And then concluding a one loss AAC will win out over said 13-0 C-USA champion. Lots of variables.

Fair enough.

(06-12-2014 01:37 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(06-12-2014 10:47 AM)AirRaid Wrote:  A 1-loss AAC/MWC will get the access bowl bid over Marshall. If Marshall loses a single game, Marshall ain't going. Marshall fans better hope they don't stumble.

Cool story, now find your way back to a Houston or AACk board. I remember the last time a CUSA team had a chance to do something big. I bet you do too.




USM (10-2) 49
Houston (12-0) 28

The very same season we hung 60+ on Marshall, or have you conveniently forgotten that? Look man, I wasn't here to piss you off, seems I am able to do that without even trying. 1-loss Marshall isnt getting into an access bowl, unless everyone else is 8-4 or 9-3 from all G5 conference. Thats just how it is, hurling insults ins't going to change that

Also the very same season we had a 34-7 lead over UH in the 3rd quarter and lost by 1...

(06-13-2014 10:31 AM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(06-13-2014 10:13 AM)Cnelson203 Wrote:  The only real difference is in 1999, we beat Clemson at their place on a last minute score. Otherwise, our schedule was pretty vanilla.

And we had to do it the hard way. We had to basically drive 121 yards while getting the ball at our 35. There was 4 penalties (3 phantom) and 5 holding calls (all phantom). The ACC officials did everything possible to help Clemson win that game. Just like they helped UNC beat us in 2000. The holding call on Starkey was pure BS on the Leftwich to Watts TD. The flag wasn't thrown until Watts was at the 5 yard line on a 72 yard pass.

Starkey graduated in '99. I know the call you mean but it wasn't him on a Leftwich to Watts play, I assure you.

(06-17-2014 04:18 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 03:52 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I painted you guys as a pass first, pass second and run it when the time is right.

MT has been run first in recent years.

It's completely based on what Cato sees at the line of scrimmage. We had an 1000 yard rusher last season.

I'm not sure how that changes the fact that your offense is pass first or how it changes the primary point I was making which was:

Your passing offense opens up the running game and makes it easier to get big gains on the ground when you do run it. Don't you guys know your own team?

(06-17-2014 09:26 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 04:18 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 03:52 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I painted you guys as a pass first, pass second and run it when the time is right.

MT has been run first in recent years.

It's completely based on what Cato sees at the line of scrimmage. We had an 1000 yard rusher last season.

I'm not sure how that changes the fact that your offense is pass first or how it changes the primary point I was making which was:

Your passing offense opens up the running game and makes it easier to get big gains on the ground when you do run it. Don't you guys know your own team?

It really depends on the team we play as to whether or not we pass first or run first.

I think in most games, it is pass first, but we certainly have the talent to run a run first offense and do on occasion. In our game against UAB last season, we had 3 100 yd rushers and Cato had less than 300 yds passing.

(06-17-2014 09:26 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 04:18 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 03:52 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I painted you guys as a pass first, pass second and run it when the time is right.

MT has been run first in recent years.

It's completely based on what Cato sees at the line of scrimmage. We had an 1000 yard rusher last season.

I'm not sure how that changes the fact that your offense is pass first or how it changes the primary point I was making which was:

Your passing offense opens up the running game and makes it easier to get big gains on the ground when you do run it. Don't you guys know your own team?

We actually passed 48.9% of the time and rushed 51.01% of the time. But go on..

(06-17-2014 09:13 PM)MUther Wrote:  Starkey graduated in '99. I know the call you mean but it wasn't him on a Leftwich to Watts play, I assure you.

I thought Starkey grad in 2000 sorry. It was Chris Massey under center in 2000 then and who they called the flag on. The flag was still 1000% BS. I was at the game.

(06-17-2014 09:44 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  It really depends on the team we play as to whether or not we pass first or run first.

I think in most games, it is pass first, but we certainly have the talent to run a run first offense and do on occasion. In our game against UAB last season, we had 3 100 yd rushers and Cato had less than 300 yds passing.

Actually Run or Pass is left completely up to Cato. He is signaled in 2 plays and if he sees a hat on hat in single man coverage he hands the ball off. If he sees a more complex defense he will get in a passing formation or take off with the ball.

(06-17-2014 10:23 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 09:44 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  It really depends on the team we play as to whether or not we pass first or run first.

I think in most games, it is pass first, but we certainly have the talent to run a run first offense and do on occasion. In our game against UAB last season, we had 3 100 yd rushers and Cato had less than 300 yds passing.

Actually Run or Pass is left completely up to Cato. He is signaled in 2 plays and if he sees a hat on hat in single man coverage he hands the ball off. If he sees a more complex defense he will get in a passing formation or take off with the ball.

true, but I still think there is a loose strategy discussed before the game as to what the strengths and weaknesses of the defense are and how the weaknesses might be exploited.

(06-12-2014 09:19 AM)DrEvilGuapo Wrote:  I received my Phil Steele magazine in the mail yesterday. Below is the predicted order of finish for the East and West divisions.

East:
1 Marshall
2 Middle Tennessee
3 FAU
4 (tie) ODU
4 (tie) Western Kentucky
6 UAB
7 FIU

West:
1 UTSA
2 (tie) North Texas
2 (tie) Louisiana Tech
2 (tie) Rice
5 Southern Miss
6 UTEP

With respect to positions, here are the top-ranked C-USA schools:

QB: Marshall
RB: Marshall; Louisiana Tech
Rec: Marshall; ODU
OL: North Texas
DL: Marshall
LB: Marshall
DB: Marshall
ST: UAB
Coach: North Texas

Bowl Projections:

New Orleans: Rice vs. ULL
New Mexico: North Texas vs. Colorado State
Boca Raton: FAU vs. Ball State
Bahamas: Louisiana Tech vs. Toledo
Hawai'i: Middle Tennessee vs. San Diego State
Heart of Dallas: UTSA vs. Kansas State
Orange: Marshall vs. Auburn

If we finish tied for 2nd in the west and make a bowl then this season would go a long way for Holtz staying in Ruston. We have lots of talent at some positions but we have to put a decent OL together, QB play must improve and Dixon needs to stay healthy.

(06-17-2014 10:23 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 09:13 PM)MUther Wrote:  Starkey graduated in '99. I know the call you mean but it wasn't him on a Leftwich to Watts play, I assure you.

I thought Starkey grad in 2000 sorry. It was Chris Massey under center in 2000 then and who they called the flag on. The flag was still 1000% BS. I was at the game.

So was I. And every other game that year. Including TJ mfing Duckett running all over us in the second half of Mich St. and their backup QB becoming 10X better than the one we knocked the crap out of.

(06-17-2014 09:44 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 09:26 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 04:18 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(06-17-2014 03:52 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I painted you guys as a pass first, pass second and run it when the time is right.

MT has been run first in recent years.

It's completely based on what Cato sees at the line of scrimmage. We had an 1000 yard rusher last season.

I'm not sure how that changes the fact that your offense is pass first or how it changes the primary point I was making which was:

Your passing offense opens up the running game and makes it easier to get big gains on the ground when you do run it. Don't you guys know your own team?

It really depends on the team we play as to whether or not we pass first or run first.

I think in most games, it is pass first, but we certainly have the talent to run a run first offense and do on occasion. In our game against UAB last season, we had 3 100 yd rushers and Cato had less than 300 yds passing.

I think that says more about UAB's defense than Marshall's offense. UAB's defense had more holes than a chain-link fence.

Cato makes the call based on numbers in the box. In reality that's why we have trouble with Ohio, their coach does a great job of showing 7 in the box and then sending one of the slot cover guys on a run blitz. They try and force Cato in to a run call. When Cato started ignoring the box call and just threw the ball anyway they really couldn't stop us. Hopefully our coaches finally pick up on that when they watch the tape again this year.