Marshall Thundering Herd Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
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2010 Record: 5-7 C-USA Record: 4-4 (4th, East) 2011 Returning Starters: 16; 5 offense, 9 defense. kicker, punter
Coach: Doc Holliday, 5-7 (1 year)
Offensive Coordinators: Bill Legg, Tony Peterson Defensive Coordinators: Chris Rippon
2011 Marshall Players to Watch: RB Tron Martinez, WR Aaron Dobson, RG CJ Wood, DE Vinny Curry, SS Donald Brown, FS Omar Brown
2011 Marshall Strengths:
Defensively, the Thundering Herd should rise to the top of C-USA with so many talented returning starters and improved depth. Offensively, Marshall’s wide receiving unit is easily its biggest strength. In Holliday’s version of the spread, several wideouts will get opportunities to showcase their skills; five of the team’s top seven receivers return.
2011 Marshall Weaknesses:
No one stepped up as a primary ball carrier in the spread offense a year ago. The threat of the run needs to be there to support a new quarterback. An assertive and efficient signal-caller must emerge. The kicking game could also be a problem.
2011 Marshall Offense:
Marshall wasn’t exactly a juggernaut offensively last year, averaging only 20.8 points per game, but the Thundering Herd might actually have some trouble matching that total this season, since they will be without two-year starting quarterback Brian Anderson and four of last year’s top five receivers. Marshall does welcome back last year’s three top rushers, although none topped 350 yards, and the team averaged just 3.4 yards per carry while producing only seven rushing TDs. Martin Ward (345 yards), Andre Booker (264) and Tron Martinez (262) will all get the chance to become the featured back, but more than likely they will share the work again. If Marshall can make a sizeable improvement over last year’s meager 1,166 yards rushing, it will help the offense considerably. With Anderson gone, sophomores Eddie Sullivan and A.J. Graham will vie for the starting gig under center. Sullivan completed just 6-of-24 passes last year, while Graham redshirted. Sullivan has decent mobility, and Graham is a better athlete and stands taller (6’4″) in the pocket. Whoever wins the quarterback job and Graham had the edge coming out of spring drills will throw to Antavious Wilson and Troy Evans, while a variety of youngsters, including true freshmen Conelius Jones and Craig Wilkins, vie for time in the Marshall spread attack that often features four and five receivers. The line loses two starters from last year but returns tackle Ryan Tillman, guard/tackle C.J. Wood and tackle Corey Tenney.
2011 Marshall Defense:
The Thundering Herd had a pretty good season on defense last year and held three of their final five opponents under 18 points. Although top tackler Mario Harvey is gone, plenty of talent returns, beginning with senior end Vinny Curry, who had 12 sacks last year and is one of the most productive defensive players in Conference USA. The rest of the defensive line is relatively young but has potential, particularly end Trevor Black and tackle Brandon Bullock. With Harvey gone, expect senior Kellen Harris to move to the weak-side spot, while savvy senior Tyson Gale handles the middle and junior Devin Arrington works the strong side. Expect to see true freshman Armonze Daniel early on. Safety Omar Brown picked off three passes last season should challenge for all-conference honors this year. Marshall’s secondary suffered a blow when safety Donald Brown was dismissed from the team in July. The corners should belong to sophomores Monterius Lovett and Darryl Roberts.
2011 Marshall Special Teams:
Tyler Warner is back as Marshall’s kicker, but his longest field goal was from 41 yards last season, so if competition emerges, he may have to prove himself. He attempted eight field goals, missing the last three, making the last five. Kase Whitehead averaged 40.1 yards on 78 punts; he nailed 20 inside the 20-yard line and forced 22 fair catches. Marshall welcomes back two good return specialists in Evans and Booker. Evans had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and was the team’s primary punt returner.
| 2011 Marshall Football Schedule | Marshall Football Sportsbooks |
2011 Marshall Predictions:
Even though it’s hard to imagine the Herd challenging for C-USA laurels, this is a program on the rise. Marshall played 28 true or redshirt freshmen last year and won four of its last five games. Coach Doc Holliday used his Florida connections to grab one of the top recruiting classes in the league, so the future is bright. That doesn’t mean there aren’t concerns this season, especially with a non-conference schedule that includes West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Louisville. The Herd’s offense needs Graham or Sullivan to become a reliable signal-caller, and the ground game has to wake up. Defensively, Marshall should be in good shape, but some more playmakers have to emerge from a talented group of youngsters.
2011 Marshall Betting Odds:
Marshall Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000
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