The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:Uh, who will be at the Heisman Presentation?

You're -really- stretching with THAT claim.

If Omar Jacobs produces big numbers,he should be high in the Heisman voting.

Unless BG runs the table in the regular season, he won't be.

It's possible for Omar to go even with two losses.A split on their out of conference schedule(a win@Wisconsin and loss@Boise State) and a close conference loss to Miami or Toledo might get Omar to NYC: if his numbers are outstanding.He is certainly capable of putting up those hugh numbers.

I do agree with Eagle in the Gym on one point, though: That far too many of us are being snivelling crybabies about Marshall.

The MAC will be fine without Marshall.

But the MAC would be stronger with Marshall -- and a lot of the chest beating, false bravado and taunting in this thread resembles, to a T, the insipid post left here by yesterday by a certain Louisiana-Lafayette fan.

I wish Marshall fans well.

I said it. And I mean it. I wish Marshall fans well.

Some of 'em are jerks, but there is a good bunch of people following that team.

TeeGee, who runs the Herd Grapevine, is a very good guy.

HerdFan4Life is an exceptionally good guy. He reminds me of a Rocketfootball in green. He rarely loses his cool -- but he finally slunk out of here because he couldn't take the nonsense many of us were throwing at him.

There are probably many others I could or should name. I regret that I can't. But they haven't been around lately, and I'm not so good with names.

Even GreenSteve and Mako are good guys. Sure, their occasional hit-and-run lobs of turds into our punch bowl have become exceedingly transparent as of late.

(I mean, sweet Jesus, are these guys really pouring over issues of the Eastern Echo in order to squeeze some rain on our parade? The Eastern freaking Echo?)

But, look, I think I've virtually known GreenSteve and one or two others since before Marshall entered the MAC.

At their core, they are good, smart fans -- just good, smart fans with (at this point) bassackwards opinions of the MAC that I happen to strongly disagree with. :)

Let's face it: We are all caught in an extremely difficult situation. There is a lot of blame to go around for why the relationship between fans of Marshall and the rest of the MAC has grown so hostile.

Some Marshall fans have a completely unreasonable, destructive level of hate for our conference, which they have proceeded to take out on our fans.

Some MAC fans have a completely unreasonable, destructive level of hate for Marshall, which they have proceeded to take out on their fans.

It has run both ways for a long time.

So I wish Marshall fans well, and I hope what follows isn't taken personally.

I do not wish Marshall well.

I take the fact that they are leaving the MAC personally. Conference USA may be a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. It doesn't make sense to me, and I'm not sure it ever will.

Far too much of Herd Nation sees Conference USA for what it is this season rather than what it will be in five.

This haiku -- one of three I submitted to goodbyeherd.com -- sums it up for me:

In Conf'rence Texas,
The grass looks greener. It's them
Green-colored glasses.

One of the sweetest moments of the 2004 was watching Omar Jacobs kneel on the Marshall 2 yard line, right in front of a scoreboard showing we had scored 8 touchdowns that day.

Part of me still wishes Jacobs would have handed the ball to P.J. Pope and let him run it in.

I draw solace from the possibility that Conference USA will be an enormous disappointment for Marshall.

I foresee one-bid basketball seasons and a financial noose that gradually gathers around the neck of the league. I foresee teams fleeing for the Big East, making it even less geographically logical for Marshall.

I admit to enjoying schadenfreude now and again, and I anticipate it when I look at Conference USA Lite ™.

Also, I continue to believe that "Conference USA" is the single dumbest name coined in amateur or professional sports since the World Football League served up the "Philadelphia Bell."

Finally: I think the Herd just might be back some day.

I can anticipate the cheat-thumping that will come in response: "Hope not!" "No way!"

Whatever.

This was another haiku I submitted last year. It still fits:

Long goodbyes? No need.
Like a bad case of herpes
The Herd will be back

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:Uh, who will be at the Heisman Presentation?

You're -really- stretching with THAT claim.

If Omar Jacobs produces big numbers,he should be high in the Heisman voting.

Unless BG runs the table in the regular season, he won't be.

It's possible for Omar to go even with two losses.A split on their out of conference schedule(a win@Wisconsin and loss@Boise State) and a close conference loss to Miami or Toledo might get Omar to NYC: if his numbers are outstanding.He is certainly capable of putting up those hugh numbers.

The fact is that if you're in a "non bcs" conference, your team MUST run the table for your star QB to be considered.

In 1998 Culpepper was one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the nation and had a 9-2 record. He won Florida Athlete of the Year. He finished just 6th in Heisman voting.

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:Uh, who will be at the Heisman Presentation?

You're -really- stretching with THAT claim.

If Omar Jacobs produces big numbers,he should be high in the Heisman voting.

Unless BG runs the table in the regular season, he won't be.

It's possible for Omar to go even with two losses.A split on their out of conference schedule(a win@Wisconsin and loss@Boise State) and a close conference loss to Miami or Toledo might get Omar to NYC: if his numbers are outstanding.He is certainly capable of putting up those hugh numbers.

The fact is that if you're in a "non bcs" conference, your team MUST run the table for your star QB to be considered.

In 1998 Culpepper was one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the nation and had a 9-2 record. He won Florida Athlete of the Year. He finished just 6th in Heisman voting.

Which, in all likelihood, saved his pro career.

-Dan

I am sure 90% of Marshall followers are fantastic fans who are great people. The problem is they have more than their fair share of instigators and malcontents. In time, these same posters will drive a wedge between Marshall fans and the other CUSA members. The honeymoon will be short lived.

Photodan Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:Uh, who will be at the Heisman Presentation?

You're -really- stretching with THAT claim.

If Omar Jacobs produces big numbers,he should be high in the Heisman voting.

Unless BG runs the table in the regular season, he won't be.

It's possible for Omar to go even with two losses.A split on their out of conference schedule(a win@Wisconsin and loss@Boise State) and a close conference loss to Miami or Toledo might get Omar to NYC: if his numbers are outstanding.He is certainly capable of putting up those hugh numbers.

The fact is that if you're in a "non bcs" conference, your team MUST run the table for your star QB to be considered.

In 1998 Culpepper was one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the nation and had a 9-2 record. He won Florida Athlete of the Year. He finished just 6th in Heisman voting.

Which, in all likelihood, saved his pro career.

-Dan

Perhaps you're right.

The 1998 winner was noneother than.....................................................RICKY WILLIAMS!

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:Uh, who will be at the Heisman Presentation?

You're -really- stretching with THAT claim.

If Omar Jacobs produces big numbers,he should be high in the Heisman voting.

Unless BG runs the table in the regular season, he won't be.

It's possible for Omar to go even with two losses.A split on their out of conference schedule(a win@Wisconsin and loss@Boise State) and a close conference loss to Miami or Toledo might get Omar to NYC: if his numbers are outstanding.He is certainly capable of putting up those hugh numbers.

The fact is that if you're in a "non bcs" conference, your team MUST run the table for your star QB to be considered.

In 1998 Culpepper was one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the nation and had a 9-2 record. He won Florida Athlete of the Year. He finished just 6th in Heisman voting.

Omar's passing numbers, if at the current rate would eclipse Daunte's four year numbers in less than 2-3/4 seasons.Plus current the Heisman voters I think have a greater appreciation for the quality of MAC QBs.

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:

Boca Rocket Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:Uh, who will be at the Heisman Presentation?

You're -really- stretching with THAT claim.

If Omar Jacobs produces big numbers,he should be high in the Heisman voting.

Unless BG runs the table in the regular season, he won't be.

It's possible for Omar to go even with two losses.A split on their out of conference schedule(a win@Wisconsin and loss@Boise State) and a close conference loss to Miami or Toledo might get Omar to NYC: if his numbers are outstanding.He is certainly capable of putting up those hugh numbers.

The fact is that if you're in a "non bcs" conference, your team MUST run the table for your star QB to be considered.

In 1998 Culpepper was one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the nation and had a 9-2 record. He won Florida Athlete of the Year. He finished just 6th in Heisman voting.

Omar's passing numbers, if at the current rate would eclipse Daunte's four year numbers in less than 2-3/4 seasons.Plus current the Heisman voters I think have a greater appreciation for the quality of MAC QBs.

Care to provide proof of that?

I find it hard to believe considering the records Daunte broke.

Don't make a Toledo fan have to defend the numbers of a BG quarterback. It's just not right.

-Dan

Photodan Wrote:Don't make a Toledo fan have to defend the numbers of a BG quarterback. It's just not right.

-Dan

The truth is the truth!
For example:
Daunte career:(four years)
passing TDs=84 passing yardage=11,412
Omar 2004:
passing TDs=41 Passing yards=4,002

single season INT%: Daunte 10 INTs per 381 attempts
Omar 4 INTs per 462 attempts

There are too many to elaborate.

I'll add my two cents.

I've respected Marshall for many years - even back in the day when they were known for basketball, not football. The Herd built up their share of accomplishments on the gridiron since returning to the MAC as well. Because of that, I'm glad to welcome them to C-USA.

I also respect the MAC. The 2003 season alone proved what the league can accomplish (BTW, I considered Northern Illinois' victory over Maryland one of the locks of the year going into that season - I was just shocked that the Terps managed to send it to overtime). The record the MAC has built up against C-USA in Mobile effectively eliminates any smack talk, that's for sure!

Do I believe we will become "C-USA Lite"? Not really. Obviously, the biggest hit is in basketball - but, at the same time, the league hasn't accomplished much in the NCAAs, with the exception of the two Final Four runs and UAB's advancement to the Sweet 16. We won't get six in the dance, but I expect two to three bids to be the norm, and the league should be more competitive and fun to watch as well.

In football, Louisville's improvement over the last couple of years will be the only real loss - and this is a school that was 1-10 just a few years ago. The team that's won the most titles in league history - Southern Miss - remains. There are also other strong programs, both ones that are remaining and ones coming in. I don't see any reason the league will even skip a beat on the gridiron.

For a while, the MAC was a one-trick pony in football - Marshall. That definitely hasn't been the case lately, and I see no reason the league won't be just as strong as it has been the last few years.

In other words, I don't see a winner and a loser in this deal. I think both leagues will be just fine.

Southern Miss Alum Wrote:I'll add my two cents.

I've respected Marshall for many years - even back in the day when they were known for basketball, not football. The Herd built up their share of accomplishments on the gridiron since returning to the MAC as well. Because of that, I'm glad to welcome them to C-USA.

I also respect the MAC. The 2003 season alone proved what the league can accomplish (BTW, I considered Northern Illinois' victory over Maryland one of the locks of the year going into that season - I was just shocked that the Terps managed to send it to overtime). The record the MAC has built up against C-USA in Mobile effectively eliminates any smack talk, that's for sure!

Do I believe we will become "C-USA Lite"? Not really. Obviously, the biggest hit is in basketball - but, at the same time, the league hasn't accomplished much in the NCAAs, with the exception of the two Final Four runs and UAB's advancement to the Sweet 16. We won't get six in the dance, but I expect two to three bids to be the norm, and the league should be more competitive and fun to watch as well.

In football, Louisville's improvement over the last couple of years will be the only real loss - and this is a school that was 1-10 just a few years ago. The team that's won the most titles in league history - Southern Miss - remains. There are also other strong programs, both ones that are remaining and ones coming in. I don't see any reason the league will even skip a beat on the gridiron.

For a while, the MAC was a one-trick pony in football - Marshall. That definitely hasn't been the case lately, and I see no reason the league won't be just as strong as it has been the last few years.

In other words, I don't see a winner and a loser in this deal. I think both leagues will be just fine.

Louisville is a huge FB and BB loss.The football team is on the verge of being a"top10" team.

When was the MAC a one-trick pony? Particularly with regards to Marshall?

Oddball Wrote:When was the MAC a one-trick pony? Particularly with regards to Marshall?

When they first got in and won the league - and the ensuing bowl bid - several years running.

Not intended as an insult to the other MAC schools, just an acknowledgement of Marshall's dominance of the league at that time.

If there is anything in the world that I hate more than a team, school , fan or resident of OHIO , I have no clue as to what it might be, never in the history of mankind has anything been developed that is more ignorant, stupid , and just flat out a waste of air space than any of the four aforementioned. Without MARSHALL coming back to the MAC , and remember you guys came after us , the MAC would already be a D1-AA conference. At least now you people can have a few more years before that happens

I for one was totally against re-entering the MAC basically due to knowing the rediculousness of the MAC fans arrogance, and for what I have no idea outside of just being from Ohio and Michigan and living in the shadows of OSU MSU and Univ of Michigan, heck YSU had a better football program than the MAC from top to bottom until THE HERD came in and raised the bar.

As usual the MAC fans arnt smart enough to realize the benefits they gained having Marshall back in the MAC , how the heck do you people think you rcvd the second bowl, even if it was basically contengent on Marshall being the team coming in ..again ignorance.

As for me we cant slam the door on the MAC fast enough, at least now we rid ourselves of association with idiots from Ohio, New York and Michigan.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Will we dominate CUSA as we did the mac the majority of the years we were there, no not know but I do know this , it will certainly be nice to play in stadiums that are not listed on condemened list as well as stadiums that have more than 50 people from the home school show up or 10-15 show up for a game in Huntington when a MAC school comes to town, at least with CUSA the fan support is there , at home and on the road, they however are proud of the schools they graduated from unlike those in the MAC who wish they had graduated from a Big Ten school , show up at a MAC home game in Big Ten colors as well as support the Big Ten more than the MAC and their alma mater...as was once said and is so fitting now.................


GO TO HELL MAC GO TO HELL...

MARSHALL 77

MARSHALL 77 Wrote:If there is anything in the world that I hate more than a team, school , fan or resident of OHIO , I have no clue as to what it might be, never in the history of mankind has anything been developed that is more ignorant, stupid , and just flat out a waste of air space than any of the four aforementioned. Without MARSHALL coming back to the MAC , and remember you guys came after us , the MAC would already be a D1-AA conference. At least now you people can have a few more years before that happens

I for one was totally against re-entering the MAC basically due to knowing the rediculousness of the MAC fans arrogance, and for what I have no idea outside of just being from Ohio and Michigan and living in the shadows of OSU MSU and Univ of Michigan, heck YSU had a better football program than the MAC from top to bottom until THE HERD came in and raised the bar.

As usual the MAC fans arnt smart enough to realize the benefits they gained having Marshall back in the MAC , how the heck do you people think you rcvd the second bowl, even if it was basically contengent on Marshall being the team coming in ..again ignorance.

As for me we cant slam the door on the MAC fast enough, at least now we rid ourselves of association with idiots from Ohio, New York and Michigan.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Will we dominate CUSA as we did the mac the majority of the years we were there, no not know but I do know this , it will certainly be nice to play in stadiums that are not listed on condemened list as well as stadiums that have more than 50 people from the home school show up or 10-15 show up for a game in Huntington when a MAC school comes to town, at least with CUSA the fan support is there , at home and on the road, they however are proud of the schools they graduated from unlike those in the MAC who wish they had graduated from a Big Ten school , show up at a MAC home game in Big Ten colors as well as support the Big Ten more than the MAC and their alma mater...as was once said and is so fitting now.................


GO TO HELL MAC GO TO HELL...

MARSHALL 77

Blah, blah, blah... Move your feet, not your lips.

-Dan

Southern Miss Alum Wrote:

Oddball Wrote:When was the MAC a one-trick pony? Particularly with regards to Marshall?

When they first got in and won the league - and the ensuing bowl bid - several years running.

Not intended as an insult to the other MAC schools, just an acknowledgement of Marshall's dominance of the league at that time.

Actually, in '97 (when they got in) they made it into their self-hosted championship game through the back door, and then beat a severely decimated Toledo team. They also have been shown definitively to have cheated in all of their "championship" years, and have been accused (rightly, imo, I might add) of quite a bit bit more cheating than was uncovered by the NCAA. Even taking their run at face value, they had one dominating year. Period.

MARSHALL 77 Wrote:As for me we cant slam the door on the MAC fast enough

You know, for a group of people who can't wait to get away from the MAC, you sure have a tough time staying away.

Southern Miss Alum Wrote:

Oddball Wrote:When was the MAC a one-trick pony? Particularly with regards to Marshall?

When they first got in and won the league - and the ensuing bowl bid - several years running.

Not intended as an insult to the other MAC schools, just an acknowledgement of Marshall's dominance of the league at that time.

As I mentioned before, they didn't dominate when you consider they never won a championship off of their home field, they got caught cheating and had scholarships taken away and were put on probation, and here are the scores of those home championship games:

1997
Marshall 34
Toledo 17

I give you that one! Randy Moss killed us!


1998
Marshall 23
Toledo 17

1999
Marshall 34
WMU 30

2000
Marshall 19
WMU 14

2002
Marshall 49
Toledo 45


2001 was at Toledo and Toledo beat Marshall in that MACC Game. Anyway, outside of 1997 Marshall wouldn't have won those games on a neutral field. Won 1 game by 6 points, 1 by 5 points, and 2 by four points on their home field. And of course those NCAA infractions were found too.


Now that the MACC is on a neutral field and Marshall can't cheat, they are just 14-10 in the last two years in the MAC and finished no better than 5th place in the MAC in each of the last two years.

Photodan Wrote:Don't make a Toledo fan have to defend the numbers of a BG quarterback. It's just not right.

-Dan

Okay. Happy to help.

Omar threw for 4,002 yards in 2004. That's about the 30th best season of passing ever in Division I-A -- just ahead of Carson Palmer's 2002 season.

Culpepper isn't on that list.

Culpepper does have some season records. He put up 4,153 yards of total offense in 1998, which was the 22nd best season ever in I-A ever heading into 2004.

Omar Jacobs had 4,302 yards of total offense in 2004, which puts him about 14th best ever on the current list.

(For what it's worth, Josh Harris remains 7th on the list. He had 4,643 in 2003)

And keep in mind, Omar is a sophomore. It is reasonable to expect he will continue to grow as a quarterback.

But even if he doesn't and just keeps up this pace, we are looking at about 12,350 yards for a career (including his 345 as a freshman).

That would be one of the ten best careers ever in Division I-A. Heading into the 2004 season, Culpepper ranked 20th at 11,412.

All this comes with a huge caveat: Will Omar Jacobs play a senior season?

Hard to say. But if he does and avoids injury, he will pass Culpepper in quite a few career categories.

As far as Heisman buzz: Omar is getting some right now. Go to ESPN.com and look at their MAC preview. Omar is all over it.

And it's not just yardage. 41 touchdown passes? Four picks? It's almost inhuman.

He will be taken seriously this season by Heisman voters.