Silver lining.

[johns1124]

We were never really in contention for Access.
We have a fairly good team that played like shit after having multiple weeks off (multiple times).

Our concern should be Wells. What does this do to his psyche? He just played an "Exceptional"
Freshman game. Now, how he bounces back is going to tell us what he is all about. Hopefully,
not like IG or CL, known for pulling "Disappearing Acts". The team comes back, wins out goes to
the Conf. Championship; Wins.

Right now most Bowl Projections put us in MB against Coastal. I didn't like it last week, but I will
take it now. If we can finish up with a Bowl win against an undefeated CC. I'll take it. Still may set us
up for a good showing in next year's Pre-Season Poll. Which is basically all we were playing for anyway.

Just My Opinion.

 

[RhinoD]

I agree with your premise... It's just so damn disappointing that its hard to see the positives right now.

If we end up playing a road game at Coastal to end the season, then so be it. Beggers can no longer be choosers so we need to take the highest ranked, best matchup we can find.

As for next season, we bring back a lot of talent, have a weak non-conference slate, and should certainly be the class of CUSA. We have to figure out how to not have "one of those games" like we seem to have every damn year. Usually its either MTSU or Charlotte, this year it was Rice.

 

[herdalicious]

After the way things went last Saturday, I'd have to think Coastal would humble us, Old World Style.

 

[Herdmeister]

We were never really in contention for Access.
We have a fairly good team that played like shit after having multiple weeks off (multiple times).

Our concern should be Wells. What does this do to his psyche? He just played an "Exceptional"
Freshman game. Now, how he bounces back is going to tell us what he is all about. Hopefully,
not like IG or CL, known for pulling "Disappearing Acts". The team comes back, wins out goes to
the Conf. Championship; Wins.

Right now most Bowl Projections put us in MB against Coastal. I didn't like it last week, but I will
take it now. If we can finish up with a Bowl win against an undefeated CC. I'll take it. Still may set us
up for a good showing in next year's Pre-Season Poll. Which is basically all we were playing for anyway.

Just My Opinion.

Since traditionally the SBC winner usually goes to New Orleans and CUSA has a New Orleans tie in, I still think the Herd vs CCU in the Big Easy. To bad it is in a covid year. That would have been a fun time had there been the usual bowl festivities

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

After the way things went last Saturday, I'd have to think Coastal would humble us, Old World Style.

Yep. I'd say right now, they beat us pretty soundly. Of course, we do have the Doc bowl factor. But an upstart Coastal would be well motivated to continue their success as the new media darlings of college football.

 

[RhinoD]

Since traditionally the SBC winner usually goes to New Orleans and CUSA has a New Orleans tie in, I still think the Herd vs CCU in the Big Easy. To bad it is in a covid year. That would have been a fun time had there been the usual bowl festivities

This would make sense in a normal year, but this year its logistically impossible unless they push the New Orleans Bowl back to a later date... MU and Coastal theoretically should both be playing league championship games on Dec. 19. No way they play each other in New Orleans at 2 p.m. on Dec. 23.

My guess is New Orleans will take a ranked Louisiana team and either UAB or UTSA (whoever doesn't play in the CUSA title game).

 

[Marshall2004]

I have been critical of Doc, and I am flabbergasted at the inexcusable performance this past Saturday. However, I thought all along that the Appy win was inflating expectations of this team a bit, particularly nationally. When the season started I thought the team had weaknesses in a freshman QB, an average WR corp that seemed filled with 2nd and 3rd options, and a suspect defensive line.

Grant Wells has outperformed expectations. He has all the physical tools and is accurate with good mechanics. His weaknesses seem to be reading defenses. Experience type things. I do feel that, though they have outperformed in spots, the WR corp is still fairly pedestrian as a group. The best of them is out for the year. But against more inventive defense schemes or when Wells is pressured, the WRs don’t do him tremendous favors, with a few notable exceptions (Johnson got behind the D on our first possession Sat and Wells misses him).

Our defensive line and whole defense has been amazing. Much better than anticipated. A great unit.

None of this excuses not feeding the league MVP more against Rice or involving Gaines in the passing game when Wells was struggling. That said, I am just not ready to throw up my hands with Wells or this team. Saturday was a gut punch, but I really feel this team could be 1998 Marshall and Saturday was their Bowling Green. I am very much looking forward to beating Charlotte, hosting the title game, and securing a favorable bowl matchup in a year when there is likely to be more matchup flexibility.

 

[mlblack16.]

After the way things went last Saturday, I'd have to think Coastal would humble us, Old World Style.

Like the Iron Sheik, they will break our backs, make us humble. But they are still raisin ball jabronis.

BTW, if you don't follow him on Twitter, your life is missing something special.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

ml - Who are you suggesting to follow?

 

[mlblack16.]

ml - Who are you suggesting to follow?

Like the Iron Sheik...

 

[ilmherdfan]

After getting exposed on Saturday, I want no part of Coastal Carolina. They’d beat us by 17.

 

[usaHERD]

Before Saturday I felt good in facing Coastal in a bowl game. After Saturday I am not sure we could stay of the field with them. I am sticking with what we have faced every year in a game we are expected to win and we get kicked in the mouth. Taking the Rice game out of the equation and us getting back on track against Charlotte I feel we can play with anyone. We had some growing pains for late in the season. With everyone healthy and fired up I think we can take it and lead into next season with some swagger.

 

[MU PIKE]

Grant will bounce back as he always has in any sport he has ever played.

 

[muthed]

Grant will bounce back as he always has in any sport he has ever played.

Do you know him or have you followed him through hs? I hope you're right. Saturday was totally uncharacteristic of him based on what he did in the previous 7 games. But I'm with you. I putting my chips on him Friday night.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

Grant will bounce back as he always has in any sport he has ever played.

Has he ever had a game like this when he was in HS? I was wondering about this today? Just curious if he did and how be bounced back the next game.

 

[MU PIKE]

My son played football,baseball,basketball with Grant from midget league on till high school so I have watched him overcome adversity when it struck. He has the mentality not to dwell, is a quiet kid and always seemed to bounce back when he had a down day. I like his chances to turn it around Friday.

 

[ilmherdfan]

A lot will depend on how the o-line performs. They opened up no running lanes and Grant had more pressure than in any other game this year. If they can’t either get guys back for figure something out, Grant may be a lot better but the offense will still struggle.

Grant had a horrible game, no question. There isn’t any defending 5 interceptions and no points. But he had no help from the line.

 

[muthed]

My son played football,baseball,basketball with Grant from midget league on till high school so I have watched him overcome adversity when it struck. He has the mentality not to dwell, is a quiet kid and always seemed to bounce back when he had a down day. I like his chances to turn it around Friday.

Thanks. Good to know.

 

[herdalicious]

Everybody has a game like that at some point. I can't think of a Marshall QB who didn't have at least one shockingly bad performance his freshman year.

Come to think of it, the last time we were undefeated and nationally ranked, our QB threw four picks in a game and got us beat, and that guy was a senior playing in his last home game.

 

[muthed]

Everybody has a game like that at some point. I can't think of a Marshall QB who didn't have at least one shockingly bad performance his freshman year.

Come to think of it, the last time we were undefeated and nationally ranked, our QB threw four picks in a game and got us beat, and that guy was a senior playing in his last home game.

CP, 1995, vs. Chatty. 1st start, but 2nd game. Threw 5 INTs, but we still won.

 

[AmeriKenny]

A lot will depend on how the o-line performs. They opened up no running lanes and Grant had more pressure than in any other game this year. If they can’t either get guys back for figure something out, Grant may be a lot better but the offense will still struggle.

Grant had a horrible game, no question. There isn’t any defending 5 interceptions and no points. But he had no help from the line.

Time to revamp the O-line!

 

[Herd1972]

CP, 1995, vs. Chatty. 1st start, but 2nd game. Threw 5 INTs, but we still won.

Chad actually had 6 picks that game.

 

[muthed]

Chad actually had 6 picks that game.

I stand corrected. When you get to 5 or 6, 1 more means little.

 

[HuntersvilleHerd]

Everybody has a game like that at some point. I can't think of a Marshall QB who didn't have at least one shockingly bad performance his freshman year.

Come to think of it, the last time we were undefeated and nationally ranked, our QB threw four picks in a game and got us beat, and that guy was a senior playing in his last home game.

Absolutely correct about Cato in the WKU game... but when not throwing picks, he was throwing for 400 yards and 7 TD’s. Grant looked like he’d never played a college game before, & the pick-6 was one of the worst you’ll ever see... like he thought the defender was his receiver. But Cato’s freshman year also had its moments, as they all do.

Grant has certainly overachieved up until Saturday, and how he responds mentally & learns from that horrible tape will determine if we can get back on track or if we spiral further. I think he’ll bounce back, but a healthy O line Friday sure would help.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Cato threw 4 pics in 3 games during his career I think. - WKU, Purdue, and OU. Wells will be OK. He just has to make sure he doesn't try to be super man next game and press too much - that usually compounds the issue. Learn from it and move on.

 

[ohio herd]

Time to revamp the O-line!

Let me see if i have this correct. A few weeks ago this same OL was rated the 6th best in America by one source. We then have the 2 starting OT sit out due to COVID and a knee. Suddenly we have some issues and you want to scrap this unit? Assuming Ulmer will miss it is safe to safe that Adams will need to rotate out. His body just can't handle 70 snaps anymore. Tucker will do fine. Getting that game under his belt will help him. Best case scenario is Ulmer can play and they rotate Tucker and Adams. That being said, I think that we will develop a game plan that will work in our favor and you will see us win the battle in the trench on Friday. Just my view from where I sit

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Let me see if i have this correct. A few weeks ago this same OL was rated the 6th best in America by one source. We then have the 2 starting OT sit out due to COVID and a knee. Suddenly we have some issues and you want to scrap this unit? Assuming Ulmer will miss it is safe to safe that Adams will need to rotate out. His body just can't handle 70 snaps anymore. Tucker will do fine. Getting that game under his belt will help him. Best case scenario is Ulmer can play and they rotate Tucker and Adams. That being said, I think that we will develop a game plan that will work in our favor and you will see us win the battle in the trench on Friday. Just my view from where I sit

Cramsey and Doc have to know that Charlotte will try to do exactly what Rice did and make Grant beat them through the air. The know Rice whipped us on the edge and we need to take care of that. If they can't get an effective game plan together knowing that, and what happened last year, maybe they need to move on.

 

[ohio herd]

Cramsey and Doc have to know that Charlotte will try to do exactly what Rice did and make Grant beat them through the air. The know Rice whipped us on the edge and we need to take care of that. If they can't get an effective game plan together knowing that, and what happened last year, maybe they need to move on.

Sure.I mean if that happens you would think we drop a TE back to help block the edge. We could use play action or have Grant roll out of the pocket. Even I know that , if they can't figure that out then wow just wow