MARSHALL 0 - 11???

[Peake]

I will put money on it that Marshall Losses more than it wins this season. It doesn't matter how much "better" Marshall is thier schd is loaded with what 9 bowl teams, and they beat one of those and that's it. Things are going to get no easier this season and they should open up at best 2-4.

It is a fact that Marshall makes more money off of not going to a bowl in C-USA than going to one in the MAC. From top to bottom C-USA is a better conference, but as far as football goes, well that is a toss up year to year. Let me say this, if Marshall were still a member of the MAC and not left, name me a year under Snyder they win the conference? Marshall did, and I repeat did dominate the MAC, but their days of dominating were coming to an end fast!

This team will not go bowling count on that.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

DANG, ROUGH CROWD. LEAVING THE MAC, I TOO AGREE. WAS A MISTAKE. BECAUSE THEY BASICALLY LOST THEIR ENTIRE FAN BASE AT AWAY GAMES. WHERE ALL THE TRIPS WERE DRIVABLE IN THE MAC. I JUST SAW THAT AS A BIG DOWN POINT JOINING THE C-USA. BUT I WISH COACH MARK, AND THE HERD A GREAT SEASON.

[Tartanblue]

At the time of the switch or talk of it, C-USA also had Cincy and Louisville in it and was a conference on the rise. Then they all left.

[marshallman]

I will put money on it that Marshall Losses more than it wins this season. It doesn't matter how much "better" Marshall is thier schd is loaded with what 9 bowl teams, and they beat one of those and that's it. Things are going to get no easier this season and they should open up at best 2-4.

It is a fact that Marshall makes more money off of not going to a bowl in C-USA than going to one in the MAC. From top to bottom C-USA is a better conference, but as far as football goes, well that is a toss up year to year. Let me say this, if Marshall were still a member of the MAC and not left, name me a year under Snyder they win the conference? Marshall did, and I repeat did dominate the MAC, but their days of dominating were coming to an end fast!

This team will not go bowling count on that.

OK peake, I'll remember this post. You are right about the brutal schedule. I think Marshall would have had a winning season last year in the MAC. They had no teams that were dominate at all.

[Peake]

Remember all you want but C. Michigan would have dominated Marshall. Marshall saw no team in C-USA that would compare to C. Michigan. Lafever is a poor man's Tim Tebow, and their version of the spread would have sufficated the Marshall defense. Marshall beat one team last year with a pulse (ECU). I will put money on it with you that Marshall will not go to a bowl. I am not saying things wouldn't be better in the MAC, but they wouldn't dominate like they did. Marshall is bad team in C-USA, and a slightly above average team in the MAC.

[marshallman]

Yea, I know what you mean. They compare to Michigan in the Big Ten. A bad team! I 'll bet you they don't go to a Major bowl. They may even end up playing Marshall in a bowl this year. You seem to always flash to any team in Michigan. When are you going to throw in W. Michigan or E. Michigan? If any team from that place up north is going to dominate it will be Michigan State. I'll bet Marshall wins more games this year than Michigan!

[claypantherfan]

Yea, I know what you mean. They compare to Michigan in the Big Ten. A bad team! I 'll bet you they don't go to a Major bowl. They may even end up playing Marshall in a bowl this year. You seem to always flash to any team in Michigan. When are you going to throw in W. Michigan or E. Michigan? If any team from that place up north is going to dominate it will be Michigan State. I'll bet Marshall wins more games this year than Michigan!

That deffinately wont happen Marshall be lucky to get 4 wins and I bet Michigan will win this year 9 plus games

[Peake]

I bet you really played at Marshall. Half the time you fail to even put together a complete sentence. I thought of C. Michigan because they were the best team in the MAC last season. They put what 50 points on a Big Ten team in Purdue. If the best team would have been Toledo I would have said Toledo, it has nothing to do with Michigan as a state.

Yes Marshall compares to Michigan. Great comparison. I am going to compare Marshall a team that won all of 3 games to a team that won 9 games and beat the defending National CHampion and Heisman winner. Here it comes, the Appy State comment. How'd Marshall do against New Hampshire again? Yes Marshall and Michigan really have anything in common.

If you are going to make comments about Michigan say something educated. I bet you couldn't even name 5 current Michigan players if I asked you to. Tell me what Michigan is going to look like this year and why tehy'll be so bad. Give me something to work with beside your average bs.

I'll put $1,000 on it right here in front of God and everyone that Michigan wins more than Marshall.

[NDROCKS!75]

theres no way in hell that the herd is goin 0-11, they may go 0-8 in theyre comfrence, but deffinatly not 0-11 in the whole season!

[Black Panther]

At the time of the switch or talk of it, C-USA also had Cincy and Louisville in it and was a conference on the rise. Then they all left.

Quick history lesson: The reason C-USA lost UC and UL is simple.The ACC robbed the Big East the Big East robbed the C-USA and the C-USA robbed the MAC.That's why they (UC/UL) are no longer there and why Marshall is no longer in the MAC.

[marshallman]

I bet you really played at Marshall. Half the time you fail to even put together a complete sentence. I thought of C. Michigan because they were the best team in the MAC last season. They put what 50 points on a Big Ten team in Purdue. If the best team would have been Toledo I would have said Toledo, it has nothing to do with Michigan as a state.

Yes Marshall compares to Michigan. Great comparison. I am going to compare Marshall a team that won all of 3 games to a team that won 9 games and beat the defending National CHampion and Heisman winner. Here it comes, the Appy State comment. How'd Marshall do against New Hampshire again? Yes Marshall and Michigan really have anything in common.

If you are going to make comments about Michigan say something educated. I bet you couldn't even name 5 current Michigan players if I asked you to. Tell me what Michigan is going to look like this year and why tehy'll be so bad. Give me something to work with beside your average bs.

I'll put $1,000 on it right here in front of God and everyone that Michigan wins more than Marshall.

Yes, I played a Marshall. I'll bet you never even played high school football. Do you know what spell check is? Did you even go to college? I can name 10 plus Michigan players, but why? I'm defending Marshall here. As far as Michigan looking bad this year they have no QB, no line, No RB for this new spread attack. I will put $1,000 on it right now they will not win 8 games this year. More than Marshall? yes, but not even 8 games. Marshall will have a winning season this year and this is with a freshman QB starting. I think its sad that you bring God into this anyway.

[Peake]

First of all the God thing is a figure of speech. Come on man.

Michigan will have an inexperienced line, doesn't mean they will be bad. They return Steve Schilling who was a freshman all-american last season. Mark Ortman started 3 games last season as well.

Michigan has more than enough at RB to fit this system. If you watched Michigan in the bowl game last season they ran a version of the spread 50% of the time with Mike Hart. Hart is a grat running back, but he was not a great fit for the spread and did just fine. Brandon Minor and expecially Carlos Borwn fit the system perfect. Brown had three 100 yard games last season including one in a win at Illinois. Throw in Sam McGuffie who will see significant time as a freshman and Michael Shaw who runs a 10.39 100m; I think you have no clue what you are talking about.

QB play, now that is yet to be seen. Threet or Sheridan will not be Pat White, but they will not utilize either like White. Watch for a lot of flier passes to keep the defense from stacking the line. Threet was a 4* QB coming out of college, the kid can make this a vertical attack if he wants.

Michigan's defense is loaded, so if they live up to early season hype their is no reason they don't win 7 or 8.

You compared Michigan and Marshall, you have no cred with me. Why should you know Michigan? Most people who are true fans know their enemy as well as they know their own team.

BTW, you are correct I did play High School, I did play at the next level, I did graduate with two degree's and now I am working on my masters.

[claypantherfan]

okay marshallman what position did u play in college football

[marshallman]

Freshman, freshman, freshman thats all you keep saying for this coming year. I don't think they are going to carry Michigan this year. Just like TP will not carry OSU this year. I know all about Michigan and what they got coming in. I was born and raised a Buckeye and keep up on them too. The spread RR runs is run dominate with the QB and the 50% spread Michigan did under Carr was more pass last year, totally different. I'm giving you some insight into Marshall because this is a Herd thread. They were down because Snyder was left with 4 starters returning his first year, He was hired the day of the spring game, entered a new conference his first year and has now three recruiting classes under him. He has seen all the teams in C-USA now once at home and once away. They are not going to be that bad this year. I don't know if you dislike the Herd or what but you don't know much about them so you have no credit here either.


BTW, I have an AD, BA, MA degree and I played WR, CB, TE in college. I also ran Track in college.

[seofan_via_dublin]

Rich Rodriguez's spread attack is not just a QB run option spread, it is an adaptable play
with what you've got spread.

At Tulane he ran a spread that was more of a spread it out and pass attack.

At Clemson he used both the run and the pass with great effectiveness.

At WVU, over the last 3 years, he adapted his option to account for a fast and mobile QB that from more than 10 yards out, couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a 747.

Michigan fans and opposing coaches will see things out of Ann Arbor this season that they haven't for a long time, if ever.

No team in the Big Ten runs an effective, no-huddle, sprint to the line, spread attack like RR will have at Michigan. His system will adapt to what he has at his disposal, just like it has a several other schools already. His strength, for the first time in a long while will actually be on the defensive side of the ball.

Very few teams this season should score more than 20 points on Michigan's defense, and if they do, they will likely win. I wouldn't expect Michigan to score less than 20 a game though, with the exception of the OSU game that is.

Marshallman, you keep saying that the Blundering Turd will have a winning season this year, what 7 teams on their shcedule do you expect them to beat?

[Orestes]

I didn't realize RR was the head coach at Tulane and Clemson. I thought Tommy Bowden was the coach. You know, the guy who still runs a pass-first/balanced offense.

TULANE

1997: 366 passes vs. 424 runs (54% Run)
1998: 375 passes vs. 518 runs (58% Run)

CLEMSON

1999: 422 passes vs. 486 runs (54% Run)

(Don't know what happened in 2000. I think he was still at Clemson.)

WEST VIRGINIA
2001: 355 passes vs. 474 runs (57% Run)
2002: 279 passes vs. 714 runs (72% Run)
2003: 252 passes vs. 600 runs (70% Run)
2004: 259 passes vs. 589 runs (69% Run)
2005: 193 passes vs. 625 runs (76% Run)
2006: 265 passes vs. 628 runs (72% Run)
2007: 246 passes vs. 589 runs (71% Run) - not including bowl game


BTW, why is Michigan's defense going to be so great? Didn't they graduate some starters? When was the last time they were that impressive on D? 2006, when they were exposed late by Ball State, OSU, and USC?

I think RR will be fine at Michigan, but Michigan winning 8 games will depend on the schedule. I just don't see them being a legitimately good football team. O-line will be weak. Not much at WR. Bad QBs. Decent, but not great RBs. Michigan saw a HUGE drop off at RB last season without Hart. After last season's OSU game, the main reason Michigan lost was due to injuries ( ), but if these RBs for 08 are so good, they should have been plenty good enough to get more than 82 total team yards against OSU.

The D-line should be solid. Big questions at LB IMO. Lost their best pass rusher in Crable. Both corners should be solid, but I am not buying the "best tandem in the US" BS. They are solid. They lost their safeties, who both sucked last season, so why were the new 08 starters watching in 07? I'm not saying the defense will be bad, but it will have to be great for Michigan to do much this season IMO.

[Peake]

First of all to Marshallman, I worked in the media covering Marshall for 4 years, so I know just about all I need to know about Marshall.

Fred Jackson at Media Day said this crop of RB's is as good as he has had at Michigan top to bottom. Jackson is one of the most respected RB coaches in America including NFL. He has been approached many times by NFL teams to come aboard. He said that the two freshman are special and the only player he could compare them to was Justin Farges, but with more speed. He also said that Minor and Brown fit the offense perfect. Why didn't they produce against OSU last season. 1st of all because the OSU D was darn good. Second, because either one didn't really play in that game because Hart was back and this was Hart's senior year.

Defense? Wasn't OSU supposed to have a great defense that same year and MIchigan and Florida exposed them? The front 4 for Michigan are as good as anyone in the country. Last time I said that was 2006 with Branch and Woodley. Brandon Grahm has the potential to be better than Woodley and he is a junior. Jamison lost 15 pounds and is quicker than he has ever been. TT dominated OSU two years ago and than decided to get fat. He lost 37 pounds this offseason and should be a first day seletion. WIll Johnson is a workout warrior. He just broke both the hang clean and bench mark and 525 (bench) and 335(HC). At LB Michigan returns Obi Ezeh who is only a sophomore and was a Freshman All-American last season. John THompson started 4 games last season as well, and remember the name Jonus Mouton. Mouton was an All-American Safety out of high school and is now a Rsoph and ready to go. The secondary is more than just solid. Warren frehsman all american last season and Trent will be very very solid. The safeties are a big ????. If Brown plays like how should then I will feel much much better. Brandon Harrison will be the FS and he has a lot of starts as well at CB and Nickle. Michigan's D has the making to be as good, aside from OSU, as anyone in the conference.

QB, well that has yet to be seen. Why in the world would you say UM's line is weak when they haven't taken a snap yet? You don't go to UM to play on the line an be weak. They will be young but I seriously doubt they will be weak. By the end of the season I put money on it Michigan's OL will be one of the top 3 in the conference.

[Orestes]

Outside of Long, the Michigan O-line was bad last year. OSU's D-line was a team weakness and they dominated the entire game. Now, Long is gone, and the line has been depleted in other ways. They will take a step back. I didn't mean weak in the physical sense, but as a position.

I agree Michigan's D-line will be good, but I'm not sold on "best in the country." The LBs will be decent, but not great, or shouldn't be expected as great. As for the safeties, you mentioned Brandon Harrison who has been average at best his entire career, and a RS Frosh who is living off of high school hype. I am still waiting on Mike D'andrea to make a play. You are also basing a lot on weight-room production and camp insight. Bam Childress was a 3-time camp all-star at OSU. I didn't say Michigan's defense will be bad, or even average. I just do not see a juggernaut in this group, and that is what it would have to be for 8+ wins IMO.

Utah
Notre Dame
Wisconsin
Illinois
Penn State
Michigan State
Ohio State

Those are all possible or likely losses. I don't care about natural talent. OSU lost to Northwestern in 2004 when they were inexperienced and young. Northwestern could not sniff OSU's talent.

[Peake]

I hear what you are saying but I remind you that Troy SMith was a 3 star wasn't he and not really expected be a QB, turned out alright. Laurinitus was a 3 star and was a stude after getting one start in the bowl game as a freshman right? I think Obi will progress much like he did after his freshman to sophomore year. Will the LB's be grat. who know's, but they are a much faster group than in the past. Up front they are solid and have plenty of dpeth. THey are at least top 5 in the cuntry. Stevie Brown I believe is a Rsophmore who actually started two games last season and played in all 13. Harrison has been average, but he has plenty of experience so we'll have to see.

The oline was not bad last year. They were not as good as they were built up to be I will give you that but I would say that probably 100 or so teams would take the Michigan line over their own last season. OSU D-Line was not weak by any means. Gholston gives you so much versatility anyway because he was being moved on both sides in that game. I wathced that line destroy a much better Florida D-line a few weeks later. They will probably take a step back but we are not talking they will be "bad".

Top to bottom Michigan has enough talent aside from Wisconsin and OSU to beat anyone any given day.

I can't believe you are on the ND bandwagon either. THey were awful last season. Mostly because they couldn't block a soul last year, that won't change this season.

[Orestes]

I want Michigan to at least beat Utah and Notre Dame. I just worry about that offense early in the year. They lost tons of talent from 2007. I am just of the opinion that the season will end anywhere from 6-6 to 8-4, but a lot will depend on the QB.

The OSU/UM rivalry should be on fire though. JT and RR are both successful coaches but are polar opposites of each other. Those will be classic matchups.