MU vs. CSU in New Mexico

[All4TheHerd]

Obviously, it has been confirmed that New Mexico is our destination and our opponent is a 7-5 Colorado State team.

I figured I would start a new thread so we can all discuss and focus on the bowl game itself.

I, for one, think its a good opportunity to really see how good we are. Doc is used to Florida, he's used to (major debate here) lesser teams in Boca, St. Petersburg, etc.

Now he is REALLY out of his element and playing a team who is just about the same as us, however, in what everyone would agree, is a better conference.

Many people complained that Doc and Hamrick would take a lesser bowl to keep MU playing in Florida. Obviously, due to the pecking order of the conference, this did not happen this year.
We can refer back to NIU all we want about how this didn't change the footprint of MU, but this time its different. We actually have a chance to get out of our comfort zone and see where we stack up outside of I-95. I challenge Doc, the staff, and our team, to work hard and show Colorado State, and the Mountain West, why Marshall is still so well known.

Feel free to post comments, analysis of the team (frankly, I saw them once, and they blew a huge lead on Boise State, which would be akin to some of our losses this season), and whatever.

I figured I would start a new thread entirely dedicated to our bowl game.

 

[All4TheHerd]

Found a brief preview of the matchup.
Obviously not much was said but I think it touches on strengths and weaknesses decently well.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...17-date-location-tv-schedule-streaming-online

 

[oldeherd]

Gives us a chance to see how we stack up against a team from a different part of the country and a different conference than what we are normally use to. Remember how people use to grouse and complain about teams like Boise and others in the Mountain West who had passed MU and CUSA in prestige, in the eyes of the Media, etc.? Well, now here is Doc and the Herd's chance to restore some of the luster to our reputation and give Herd football some cred West of the Mississippi River and in the SW and Rocky Mountain area!!

 

[bbneutralfan]

Agree oldeherd with your assessment and want the team to win. I hope I am wrong concerning one thing. If I am not mistaken if we win Doc gets a contract extension and that includes his staff - Bill Legg. I’m fine with us winning but really hope Doc takes a hard look at that situation (Legg) afterwards. Again I may be completely wrong regarding contract extensions but I believe this is the current practice.

 

[ilmherdfan]

This is a tough draw for us but I think it’s crucial to win. You can’t go into the offseason losing 5 of 6 games.

 

[Sash19]

I think this will be a very tough game to win given the non-football factors-travel distance, altitude, lack of Herd fans and "curse" on the Herd when they play out west.....They will need to play a great game to win.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

Sash - agreed, especially the altitude. CSU lives & breathes air higher that 5300ft; We will only have 3 days to acclimate! & I’m not sure you can do anything to prepare. The travel not so much - team flew to SA just 3 weeks ago. + all the non football stuff (same for both teams). Looks like there is going to be a battle of the bands, so I am sure the band is looking forward to THAT bus ride!

 

[HFF-SLTX]

Agree oldeherd with your assessment and want the team to win. I hope I am wrong concerning one thing. If I am not mistaken if we win Doc gets a contract extension and that includes his staff - Bill Legg. I’m fine with us winning but really hope Doc takes a hard look at that situation (Legg) afterwards. Again I may be completely wrong regarding contract extensions but I believe this is the current practice.

If true, Legg will be motivated to open the playbook up and throw in the kitchen sink. I would expect to see a dive right on 1st and 2nd down, instead of dive lefts. Instead of throwing a fly to the outside on 3rd down, we could possibly see a few more seam and out routes to Yuracheck on 3rd and long. As for the kitchen sink, we may see some sort of reverse on a 2nd and toledo situation.

 

[31Herd55]

Look for Legg to set up many punting opportunities for Vedvic. Yurachek will be our main decoy and Litton will enjoy overthrowing receivers in the 5300 ft altitude. King will be given 20-25 slams to reach his 40 yards rushing...we may even see our power back get a carry on a 3rd & less than 1.

And Litton will get his normal 5-7 completions on 3rd downs, which will be thrown to blanketed receivers 2 yards shy of the 1st down markers.

Hope the D can keep us close enough to win it with a late pick-6 or punt return.

Good Times to be enjoyed by all Herd fans.

 

[RhinoD]

When looking at the bowl possibilities and opponents for CUSA, this is actually a fun and interesting matchup... Colorado State has a good QB and two very good WRs. Our defensive backs will be tested. They want to play a 44-40 type game. The CSU defense has been hard to get a handle on, they will give up 14 one week and 59 the next. They have lost 3-of-4 coming in.

On a side note, this will be a "home" game for the Rams who are offering, with the bowl's approval Im sure, super cheap tickets to get fans to go ($10 for students and $20 for GA). It's about a seven hour drive from Ft. Collins to Albuquerque.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

When looking at the bowl possibilities and opponents for CUSA, this is actually a fun and interesting matchup... Colorado State has a good QB and two very good WRs. Our defensive backs will be tested. They want to play a 44-40 type game. The CSU defense has been hard to get a handle on, they will give up 14 one week and 59 the next. They have lost 3-of-4 coming in.

On a side note, this will be a "home" game for the Rams who are offering, with the bowl's approval Im sure, super cheap tickets to get fans to go ($10 for students and $20 for GA). It's about a seven hour drive from Ft. Collins to Albuquerque.

Oh yeah Rhino - CSU will fo sure have the home crowd advantage. I am hoping herdnation will step up and purchase a bunch of the donated tickets. If you love the Herd & can't make it, this seems to be a good way to show support. Of course that is based on individuals budgets & $40 isn't a dealbreaker. I plan on purchasing a couple. I have lost track of how many we have to sell before we get to keep some of the excess.....anyone know?

 

[mlblack16.]

Oh yeah Rhino - CSU will fo sure have the home crowd advantage. I am hoping herdnation will step up and purchase a bunch of the donated tickets. If you love the Herd & can't make it, this seems to be a good way to show support. Of course that is based on individuals budgets & $40 isn't a dealbreaker. I plan on purchasing a couple. I have lost track of how many we have to sell before we get to keep some of the excess.....anyone know?

One of our many weaknesses appears to be how flat we play in front of no crowd. It doesn't seem to be so much a need for our own crowd, just any collective of fans in the stands. Hopefully there is a good crowd and Chase will play like he did at NC State.

 

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

The altitude concern is completely overblown. I've played at the two highest altitude locations recently, and not a single player claimed that it impacted them; no fatigue, no breathing issues, no cramping, etc.

 

[Dorrej]

The altitude concern is completely overblown. I've played at the two highest altitude locations recently, and not a single player claimed that it impacted them; no fatigue, no breathing issues, no cramping, etc.

Cmon Rifle, we've gotta have the excuses primed and ready to go. It's never Doc's poor coaching it's always the player execution, youth, injuries, bad luck, altitude, long travel, etc.

 

[31Herd55]

Cmon Rifle, we've gotta have the excuses primed and ready to go. It's never Doc's poor coaching it's always the player execution, youth, injuries, bad luck, altitude, long travel, etc.

Too much LEGG

 

[Dorrej]

Too much LEGG

An extra Legg on the sideline has been holding the team back for years.

 

[Tim Hensley]

About 10-12 years-ago, when I was running to Charlottesville on Amtrak, I saw UVa play Colorado State at Scott Stadium on a sweltering September afternoon. It was something like 30-26 Cavaliers and CSU was down on the goal line and scored on the last play to win.

I know that they have recently built one hell of a stadium for a G-5 school.

 

[All4TheHerd]

Will we have

The altitude concern is completely overblown. I've played at the two highest altitude locations recently, and not a single player claimed that it impacted them; no fatigue, no breathing issues, no cramping, etc.

I agree. Plus if there is any lag in oxygen, 3 days should be enough to get used to it for 1 game.

 

[johns1124]

The altitude concern is completely overblown. I've played at the two highest altitude locations recently, and not a single player claimed that it impacted them; no fatigue, no breathing issues, no cramping, etc.

Bingo!

 

[goherdorgohome2]

Different time zone = loss...............

 

[31Herd55]

Opponent with a pulse = loss.........

 

[Herd Fever]

Bill Legg still calling plays = Loss

 

[mlblack16.]

CSU shows up = loss