Quick Rant...

[Herdstruck]

Honestly, looking at our overall body of work, this season wasn't a failure, nor was it a sprawling success.

Considering where we would have been under Snyder, with a whole new team, new QB, new approach, and basically just adjusting to the high we had of a senior led team last season.
Then key injuries to everyone, our starters on the line, our RB, others...including our QB, who has actually seen some action.
In comes Litton and others filling in...so depleted we were, we had WR's playing RB.

The funny thing is, they were actually pretty good. A true freshman in Litton has done better than many expected on here.
He made dumb mistakes, but freshman tend to do that.
Legg's offense needed major adjustments because of the impact of injuries. I don't think anyone really knows just how much that can change an entire team's dynamic...and with not 1 player, but several, out, its insane what can happen from it.
Heater, well, he's just awesome. The defense gave up plays, yes, but you can't expect them to be able to entirely keep up with the offense for 90% of the game (seeing that's basically how long they were out there) with an offense as good as theirs and everything. They gave us everything they had.
Doc also, might have recruited a very deep team, for the first time in a while...having been able to get wins, despite what all I had just said had happened to us...it's a bit of a miracle. Sure, Alabama, Florida, and other big name schools can to...but even they lose as well.
Hey, would you fire Les Miles after a 9-3 season? I wouldn't. I also wouldn't dog this team after all they've been through.

We can only sit back and see what bowl we go to. Wherever we go, I hope to be able to go and support the team. If not, I'll do what I did last time...write the BG a check for the amount of a ticket and what I'd spend if I went...as my way of thanking them.

As I said, this team is not perfect, I don't think anyone should have expected them to be so, especially with all the adversity they've faced. I'm happy for them and happy to see the younger guys get exposure.
They're going to need it...if this team is to step up their OOC game level, this might have been a better and more long-term investment than people know...freshman gaining valuable experience in both winning and losing...and being around with a very young QB to lead them in the future?
I'll take that over what we had several years ago any day.

Go Herd


Rant over.

 

[zz1038]

Spot on, good post

 

[ARandomHerdFan]

I have no issue with this post, and tip my cap to you.

 

[bbneutralfan]

Better than most of Herdstrucks posts elsewhere.

 

[raleighherdfan]

Could have just said.... "We were extremely lucky to play in a very weak ass league in order to win. The first real team we played,we got smoked. At least Snyder is not our coach."

 

[31Herd55]

Well said, Struck

 

[sistersville]

A team that had a good season. Very good if we beat a decent team in a bowl

 

[Herdstruck]

Could have just said.... "We were extremely lucky to play in a very weak ass league in order to win. The first real team we played,we got smoked. At least Snyder is not our coach."

Lucky? Marshall controlled several of their games this season. Minus MTSU, OH, and today. Oh KSU? Alright...but I don't look at it as a narrow win. I see it the way 90% of America sees it.. a win. 9% of KSU fans see it as a narrow win, 1% of people who just hate everything, like you, see it as something else. Losers see close losses as something to gain from, winners see it as another win, and moving onward.
The first real team we played was Purdue...who certainly gave MSU a scare...another was USM...who is challenging for a CUSA title...hell, everyone minus North Texas and Norfolk...had a pulse.
So your whole approach to being critical and attempting to speak for me, was wrong.

 

[ilmherdfan]

As bad as yesterday was, I still agree with this post. We got beat by a team that is far supierior to ours.

When you start a freshman QB (who hadn't expected to be the starter) and then lose your best o-lineman and add in losing the best RB in the conference both for pretty much the whole season you are going to see a serious drop-off.

Not to mention we graduated our best CB, LB, one of the greatest receiver/QB combination in our history.

Let's hope we can get it together before a bowl game and avoid losing 3 of our last 4 so we can go into the offseason with some momentum. We get MTSU and WKU at home next year.

 

[whf2]

IMHO we weren't nearly as good as struck indicates or as bad as other promote. We were just middle of the road in an average G5 conference. Why did it happen, because its football. And one other reason is because a very good quarterback who would have played this year took his talents elsewhere so he wouldn't have to sit another year last year. Other kids got tired of the discipline and left, or were voted out of the Shewey by their team mates. So let's be really honest, sometimes a foundation cracks and needs to be bolstered / reparied. This was that year IMHO. No excuses, its football. Facts are facts, they need no help.

 

[herdalicious]

I'll be interested to see how recruiting looks going into next year. There are some good pieces in place, but look who our top returning players are at most positions. We're going to have some gaping holes next year and, barring a christmas miracle, Marshall will take a step backward next year.

 

[andy4theherd]

I'll be interested to see how recruiting looks going into next year. There are some good pieces in place, but look who our top returning players are at most positions. We're going to have some gaping holes next year and, barring a christmas miracle, Marshall will take a step backward next year.

i'm starting to think your prediction that the team made up of dismissed players could beat the actual team next year may come true...

 

[31Herd55]

Lost some talented players, but most teams do. Malcontents have to go. Better off in the long run

 

[RhinoD]

We are in a good place going into next year... need to find a couple game - ready offensive linemen and a couple of wide receivers.

 

[anon_0314hp8ssprnn]

We are in a good place going into next year... need to find a couple game - ready offensive linemen and a couple of wide receivers.

Also 2 QBs. One is in the fold with one more needed. If Birdsong wants to play full time next year, it's conceivable that he could transfer.

 

[raleighherdfan]

Lucky? Marshall controlled several of their games this season. Minus MTSU, OH, and today. Oh KSU? Alright...but I don't look at it as a narrow win. I see it the way 90% of America sees it.. a win. 9% of KSU fans see it as a narrow win, 1% of people who just hate everything, like you, see it as something else. Losers see close losses as something to gain from, winners see it as another win, and moving onward.
The first real team we played was Purdue...who certainly gave MSU a scare...another was USM...who is challenging for a CUSA title...hell, everyone minus North Texas and Norfolk...had a pulse.
So your whole approach to being critical and attempting to speak for me, was wrong.

Could have just said, "None of this changes what I also could have said before."

Face it. We play in a shitty league. I certainly hope we could "control" most of the games we played. Because we played a bunch of nobodies. "A win is a win."????? Lmao. Tell that to those who vote for rankings.

Speaking of losers and their mentalities...another year where some Marshall fans continue to give excuses for losses and poor play/preparation and once again say "next year will be our year"

 

[31Herd55]

Live your sports life with your glass half full.

 

[oldeherd]

Could have just said, "None of this changes what I also could have said before."

Face it. We play in a shitty league. I certainly hope we could "control" most of the games we played. Because we played a bunch of nobodies. "AG
Speaking of losers and their mentalities...another year where some Marshall fans continue to give excuses for losses and poor play/preparation and once again say "next year will be our year"

Generally, agree with the original post except for ONE GLARING FACTUAL ERROR:
In a 12 game season, we played exactly FOUR TEAMS WITH A PULSE: Ohio, MTSU, So. Miss and WKU. WE LOST TO THREE OF THEM!!! Purdue, the butt wipe of the Big Ten, FCS weakling, Norfolk State, North Texas (1-11), Charlotte (2-10), Kent State and FAU, both 3 and 9, etc., etc., etc. Hell, I was hoping to count Old Dominion as having something above a flat line, but they lost today to 3-9 FAU and end up 5-7 and not bowl eligible. So when others scoff and deride the Herd's schedule and accomplishments this season, there is a VERY VALID REASON that they do so!! That is reality, like it or not.

 

[31Herd55]

Truest... The schedule did suck duck eggs...but we have to play the games on the schedule.

OOC games getting better, let's hope the conference gets better.

 

[raleighherdfan]

Generally, agree with the original post except for ONE GLARING FACTUAL ERROR:
In a 12 game season, we played exactly FOUR TEAMS WITH A PULSE: Ohio, MTSU, So. Miss and WKU. WE LOST TO THREE OF THEM!!! Purdue, the butt wipe of the Big Ten, FCS weakling, Norfolk State, North Texas (1-11), Charlotte (2-10), Kent State and FAU, both 3 and 9, etc., etc., etc. Hell, I was hoping to count Old Dominion as having something above a flat line, but they lost today to 3-9 FAU and end up 5-7 and not bowl eligible. So when others scoff and deride the Herd's schedule and accomplishments this season, there is a VERY VALID REASON that they do so!! That is reality, like it or not.

Shhhhhhhhhh. Herdstruck thinks our season was special.

With that said, I can't wait to see who Doc recruits....then kicks off the team next season.

 

[usm70]

During Fedora's first year as head coach he went out and signed a boat load of impressive players, I think that class rated at 32 in the country. I am not aware of any of them being with the program a year later. You give those kids a chance and they just do't work out. After that the classes went back to regular kids.

And regarding CUSA, we all want out, but unless you have $$$ ( Louisville) or major growth (UCF) this is it. What you want in the meantime is to kick as much A** as possible so people know who you are.

 

[Herdstruck]

During Fedora's first year as head coach he went out and signed a boat load of impressive players, I think that class rated at 32 in the country. I am not aware of any of them being with the program a year later. You give those kids a chance and they just do't work out. After that the classes went back to regular kids.

And regarding CUSA, we all want out, but unless you have $$$ ( Louisville) or major growth (UCF) this is it. What you want in the meantime is to kick as much A** as possible so people know who you are.

I'm pretty sure thats what Boise decided to do. They were never considered by the Pac-12 or Big-12. Academically they are a joke and atheltically, nothing.
Thing is, despite the departures, Boise went on to win the conference, alot, even if it was pitiful. Then the MWC stepped up their game and became more competitive.
I hope that happens here soon. I even shook my head at some of the performances by other CUSA schools.

Just ignore what others think, and keep winning.

 

[Herdstruck]

Shhhhhhhhhh. Herdstruck thinks our season was special.

With that said, I can't wait to see who Doc recruits....then kicks off the team next season.

Where did I ever say the season was special? I just said it wasn't stellar nor was it a total disaster.
We did lose our 2 highest rated recruits this season, yes, but we also ended up with a solid 9 win record. I honestly don't care WHO we beat. When we beat Purdue, this entire board could care less what Purdue would do this season and were happy with the lable of beating a big 10 school.
Now, all of a sudden, some are ready to turn that against us as well.

Doc didn't dismiss AJ-L...the TEAM dismissed him. Leggett left for whatever reasons. Can't stop 'em from going...and while it hurt, others stepped up in their steads.
I'd rather Doc keep a consistent team of discipline than one with no discipline and total chaos.
'A win is a win' is pretty much the premise of the CFP and has been since its inception...but continue to think otherwsie.