(10-22-2014 08:26 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(10-22-2014 08:03 PM)THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:  I think you should try stopping Johnson... how'd that work for FIU?

Johnson is a bowling ball and the more contact you give him the harder he runs. SI just done a piece on Devon Johnson, Cato isn't the only one receiving attention on this team.

You don't see to many 6'1 248 RBs that can shoot the gaps and keep running. I still think he is a Mike Alstott (Tampa Bay 96-07) clone. Alstott was also 6'1 248.

SI: Converted RB Devon Johnson

And Alstott is hopefully a future Hall of Famer, but that's another conversation.

I'm scarred ****less of Johnson. We've been torn up by the run all year long, and expect the same to happen this Saturday. Marshall has improved in their running game and on the defensive side of the ball. This is one of the most complete G5 teams I've ever seen, coupled with Marshall's great home record, I don't expect this one to be pretty.

I'm both excited and saddened the game is on national TV.

Doc Holliday -- FAU Press Conference

(10-22-2014 02:12 PM)owlcountry40 Wrote:  

(10-22-2014 12:30 PM)goherd24herdfans Wrote:  

(10-22-2014 12:28 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(10-22-2014 12:21 PM)goherd24herdfans Wrote:  

(10-22-2014 12:12 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Personally, I am not worried much about Cato. i think FAU can (and may) contain him. We have done it once. I am more worried about rushing defense, which has not stopped many people this season. Also, FAU can put points on the board, unlike FIU, for example. In bunches. We have proven that.

I do not think this is going to end 63-10 or 56-10 as someone here suggested. Highly unlikely. 45-24 is more likely. FAU may well put up 450 yards on Marshall (while allowing 600 or more). So, this is going to be an interesting game to watch from the standpoint of offensive play. Whether or not this game will remain competitive late - depends on whether FAU can get over our early game blues. For some reason, game after game, we fall behind early and then have to make a concerted effort to get back. This happened against Wyoming, UTSA, WKU, and FIU (to a certain extent). Only in one game (against Tulsa) did we start well and ended up running them over. So, if FAU manages to stay within 14 at the half, this game will have a competitive ending.

I respect your opinion. However i disagree. I do not see FAU scoring more than 14 in this one. And Marshall can easily get over 50. FAU can score against soft defenses like WKU, but how does it do against nebraska? Against FIU? Against wyoming? Out of All 3 of those, I believe marshall has a better defense.

That being said. Come up and enjoy a good game and atmosphere. Hopefully a few owl fans make the trip.

FAU did score 41 against UTSA. And Nebraska was a tough sledding for us as we lost our QB midway through the second quarter.

If we don't have three red zone turnovers, like we did against FIU, the Owls will score quite a bit. A much weaker FIU offense scored 13 on Marshall. FAU could score twice that much.

I doubt Marshall can score over 50 on even our soft defense. But that is why they actually play the games. Good luck. let's hope both teams avoid heavy injuries.

That soft FIU offense put 38 on you.

True 13. 7 vs 1st and 2nd string however. Again, you under estimate our defense. But thats your right. We will see who is correct in a few days. If i am wrong, ill be the first to admit it.

The FIU score does not tell the story. We out played them in everything expect turnovers we will that game 99 out of a 100 we turned the ball over 3 times inside their 20 we beat our selfs. FIU couldn't move the ball for most of that game they had a 100 yard finale return and a garbage touchdown at the end.

LOL. Amazing. 38-10.

(10-22-2014 12:13 AM)goherd24herdfans Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 07:32 PM)FAUAEPi Wrote:  Isn't this the Marshall University that needed a last second FG to beat FAU last season? I know that was last year and Marshall is another animal this year, especially at home, but God y'all have become some pompous jerks. Picking up right where ECU left off IMHO. I mean, when Herd24 is being one of the more reasonable fans, that's when you know...

AEP... i may be many things, but unreasonable is not one of them. However straight forward or harsh my posts may be, they usually contain valid content and an educated opinion of the subject matter at hand. Except for pissing off AAC fans... i do that just for fun, although i even include valid info for that as well, such as the CFCC computer polls that expose ECU for what they are, an overrated POS football team that would lose to MU by 29 or more again.

(10-22-2014 09:11 AM)MU42 Wrote:  FAU will bring a crowd about the size of my family, which at this time is 3 (me, my wife, and daughter). Not a bash against them, but I bet few if any ppl graduate from FAU and move to Ohio, WV, or Kentucky area. Also no one wants to travel from sunny Florida to WV in the fall or winter. Just saying.

I graduated from Fau and moved back to Ohio. Thought about going as Marshall is 4.5 hours away but I have a wedding. Maybe next time!


Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

Marshall matches up with all with essentially all C-USA teams. In order to beat Marshall you need to have athletes. If you can have DBs that can match-up with their WRs in man coverage, you have a chance. That's what kept FIU in the game so long. You also need some serious beef to limit Johnson. I don't think any C-USA school has that combo. FIU has the athletes, but no beef. Thus, they got outplayed in the 2nd half, even though FIU had a crazy TOP advantage. You also need a competent offense. FIU doesn't really have that either at the moment. I don't think FAU's defense is good enough to beat Marshall, but they do have enough athletes to make it interesting. But hey, you never know, that's why they play the game.

This will be a test. We typically have trouble with running/athletic QB's. FAU has some athletes for sure. Thankfully, we do play well at home. We are going into the toughest part of our schedule - its full of solid teams and land mines.

(10-22-2014 02:31 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(10-22-2014 12:12 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  I do not think this is going to end 63-10 or 56-10 as someone here suggested. Highly unlikely. 45-24 is more likely. FAU may well put up 450 yards on Marshall (while allowing 600 or more). So, this is going to be an interesting game to watch from the standpoint of offensive play.

Marshall hasn't give up 450 yards in a single game this season. The most The Herd has give up was against Little Miami with 417. The closet anyone else has come was FIU with 385.

Because of our offense and the production it puts out our defense doesn't get the love from anyone. But our defense has only give up 20 or more points twice this year, to Little Miami with 27 and to MTSU with 24. Our defense is allowing 16.6 points per game. Our 1st team defense is allowing 8.2 points per game if you want to put that in perspective.

FIU with their very soft offense put 385 yards on you? What makes you think that a much better offense, such as FAU's can not put 450?
And I have never seen dividing first team defense from second team defense. it's all DEFENSE.

(10-22-2014 02:31 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(10-22-2014 12:17 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Are you sure Marshall is a "legit top 15 team"? How would you know? Marshall is an excellent team and they may well finish in top 15 (or even top 10). But they will not have any victories against any top 15 teams to show how they are a LEGIT top 15 team. Right now, about 30 teams would like to make that statement. But they can not all be top 15. What about WVU, for example? Can Marshall guarantee that they are better than WVU?

Marshall is a more complete team than the Who, we have more offensive WRs, TEs that can catch, in Holgerson's offense he doesn't use TEs and a better backfield. You take Kevin White out of their receiving core and they suck.

But you have to take him out of equation. it must be difficult to do as no one truly managed to do that. However, remember, last year, FAU did take Marshall's entire offense out of the equation.

(10-22-2014 02:31 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  I know for a fact Marshall is a better and more complete team than #18 ECU and #15 Arizona.

Actually, you don't. What facts do you have suggesting that? You have wins versus non-discreet opponents? If the class of your opposition is MTSU, how can you definitively state that Marshall is a top 15 team (even if the Herd do finish in top 10 as it may appear possible)?

(10-22-2014 02:31 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  I would line this Marshall team up with anyone in the country. Would we win them all, no. Would we be embarrassed at all, maybe in one or two games. We would go toe to toe with almost anyone. I haven't said that about a Marshall team since 1999.

I think that would take a big homer to say this.

(10-23-2014 07:34 AM)Fish Wrote:  Marshall matches up with all with essentially all C-USA teams. In order to beat Marshall you need to have athletes. If you can have DBs that can match-up with their WRs in man coverage, you have a chance. That's what kept FIU in the game so long. You also need some serious beef to limit Johnson. I don't think any C-USA school has that combo. FIU has the athletes, but no beef. Thus, they got outplayed in the 2nd half, even though FIU had a crazy TOP advantage. You also need a competent offense. FIU doesn't really have that either at the moment. I don't think FAU's defense is good enough to beat Marshall, but they do have enough athletes to make it interesting. But hey, you never know, that's why they play the game.

FAU does have athletes at DBs to match with Marshall's WRs. Some of them may play on Sunday, at least DJ Smith should. Problem is we can't stop the run. FIU could not expose us as, indeed, FIU's defense, not offense, beat us.

Marshall is just in another class this year. They probably have the best rush offense, rush defense, and pass defense in the conference. You may even argue they have the best pass offense.

How is FAUs defense going to slow them down? FAU gives up 194 yards rushing per game (5.1 yards per attempts) and 271 yards passing per game (7.3 yards per attempt)

(10-23-2014 09:40 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(10-23-2014 07:34 AM)Fish Wrote:  Marshall matches up with all with essentially all C-USA teams. In order to beat Marshall you need to have athletes. If you can have DBs that can match-up with their WRs in man coverage, you have a chance. That's what kept FIU in the game so long. You also need some serious beef to limit Johnson. I don't think any C-USA school has that combo. FIU has the athletes, but no beef. Thus, they got outplayed in the 2nd half, even though FIU had a crazy TOP advantage. You also need a competent offense. FIU doesn't really have that either at the moment. I don't think FAU's defense is good enough to beat Marshall, but they do have enough athletes to make it interesting. But hey, you never know, that's why they play the game.

FAU does have athletes at DBs to match with Marshall's WRs. Some of them may play on Sunday, at least DJ Smith should. Problem is we can't stop the run. FIU could not expose us as, indeed, FIU's defense, not offense, beat us.

You're giving up almost 300 yds per game through the air...

Ive said it before and I'll say it again:

Marshall has 4 WRs that can out run any corner or safety in this conference in Angelo Jean Louis, Deon-Tay McManus, Devonte Allen and Justin Hunt. If any of them get behind your secondary its over.

And goliath74 if you want to call my thinking we could stay with almost anyone in the country a big homer then I feel sorry for you. This team is ranked in the top 30 of everything in the NCAA. And in the top 10-15 in a lot of things. We would go toe to toe with just about anyone no matter what conference.

(10-23-2014 09:48 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Marshall is just in another class this year. They probably have the best rush offense, rush defense, and pass defense in the conference. You may even argue they have the best pass offense.

How is FAUs defense going to slow them down? FAU gives up 194 yards rushing per game (5.1 yards per attempts) and 271 yards passing per game (7.3 yards per attempt)

#1 total offense, total defense, scoring offense, scoring defense, rush defense, rushing offense,
Pass effeciency, pass defense effeciency, opponents 3rd down conversion, opponents 4th down conversion, opponents penalties, PATS, punting

#2 - 3rd down conversions, sacks against (pass protection), pass defense, pass offense

#3 - interceptions, kickoff coverag3

#4 - redzone D, kickoff returns, field goals

Dead last in penalties incurred and only 7th in TO margin. Two things to clean up. But I'll take it.

(10-23-2014 09:48 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Marshall is just in another class this year. They probably have the best rush offense, rush defense, and pass defense in the conference. You may even argue they have the best pass offense.

How is FAUs defense going to slow them down? FAU gives up 194 yards rushing per game (5.1 yards per attempts) and 271 yards passing per game (7.3 yards per attempt)

The best pass offense is certainly not Marshall's. Marshall's pass offense is not even the best in the C-USA.

(10-23-2014 10:50 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(10-23-2014 09:40 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(10-23-2014 07:34 AM)Fish Wrote:  Marshall matches up with all with essentially all C-USA teams. In order to beat Marshall you need to have athletes. If you can have DBs that can match-up with their WRs in man coverage, you have a chance. That's what kept FIU in the game so long. You also need some serious beef to limit Johnson. I don't think any C-USA school has that combo. FIU has the athletes, but no beef. Thus, they got outplayed in the 2nd half, even though FIU had a crazy TOP advantage. You also need a competent offense. FIU doesn't really have that either at the moment. I don't think FAU's defense is good enough to beat Marshall, but they do have enough athletes to make it interesting. But hey, you never know, that's why they play the game.

FAU does have athletes at DBs to match with Marshall's WRs. Some of them may play on Sunday, at least DJ Smith should. Problem is we can't stop the run. FIU could not expose us as, indeed, FIU's defense, not offense, beat us.

You're giving up almost 300 yds per game through the air...

Actually - 273 yards per game. And if you exclude Nebraska and Alabama games - only 239 yards per game.

Well, with all due respect...Let's examine the FAU pass defense:

6-1 Nebraska - 286 yds. Average 229.7 +56.3
6-1 Alabama - 430 yds. Average 290.9 +139.1
1-6 Tulsa - 269 yds. Average 287.4 -18.4
3-4 Wyoming - 161 yds. Average 192.4 -31.4
2-5 UTSA - 272 yds. Average 192.6 +79.4
3-5 FIU - 160 yds. Average 179.8 -19.8
2-4 WKU - 335 yds. Average 416.7 -81.7

So the teams that you have held below their average all have losing records. The teams you have played with winning records have surpassed their average passing ypg by bunches. And two of them (19 and 18 yds below average), to me are negligible.

Alabama is 26th in the nation in pass yardage at 290.9. Marshall is 28th at 290.1, and Nebraska is 71st at 229.7.

Now, if you happen to shut down our pass game and/or beat us on Saturday, believe me, I will be the first to congratulate you and admit I was wrong... That's why we play the games because anything can happen...But I just don't see you shutting us down.

That being said, everyone have a safe trip and let's have a good injury-free game.

(10-23-2014 02:29 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  Well, with all due respect...Let's examine the FAU pass defense:

6-1 Nebraska - 286 yds. Average 229.7 +56.3
6-1 Alabama - 430 yds. Average 290.9 +139.1
1-6 Tulsa - 269 yds. Average 287.4 -18.4
3-4 Wyoming - 161 yds. Average 192.4 -31.4
2-5 UTSA - 272 yds. Average 192.6 +79.4
3-5 FIU - 160 yds. Average 179.8 -19.8
2-4 WKU - 335 yds. Average 416.7 -81.7

So the teams that you have held below their average all have losing records. The teams you have played with winning records have surpassed their average passing ypg by bunches. And two of them (19 and 18 yds below average), to me are negligible.

Now, if you happen to shut down our pass game and/or beat us on Saturday, believe me, I will be the first to congratulate you and admit I was wrong... That's why we play the games because anything can happen...But I just don't see you shutting us down.

That being said, everyone have a safe trip and let's have a good injury-free game.

I still believe we will lose in the 17-24 point range. FAU, however, can shut down Marshall's passing game. It won't help us much as we can not stop the run.

P.S. Looking at average is not useful. Obviously, Alabama and Nebraska are going to have smaller offensive averages as they will spend most of their schedule playing P5 defenses.

P.S II Also notice how FAU has two 6-1 P5 teams on the schedule and no winless FCS schools. That, certainly, changes things quite a bit, does it not?
removing those from the calculation, FAU would end up allowing only 239 yards per game through the air and marshall - with 217. I would not call this a groundshaking difference.

(10-23-2014 01:52 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(10-23-2014 09:48 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Marshall is just in another class this year. They probably have the best rush offense, rush defense, and pass defense in the conference. You may even argue they have the best pass offense.

How is FAUs defense going to slow them down? FAU gives up 194 yards rushing per game (5.1 yards per attempts) and 271 yards passing per game (7.3 yards per attempt)

The best pass offense is certainly not Marshall's. Marshall's pass offense is not even the best in the C-USA.

I think if it needed to be.. It would be.. Cato, Shuler and co have been the best pass offense in this league before.. If we weren't as balanced on offense and we weren't as good on the defensive side of the ball and had to rely on our passing game again to be the best then I honestly think it would be.

Alabama and Nebraska are in different area codes in the passing game...

Alabama is 26th at 290.9, Marshall is 28th at 290.1, and Nebraska is 71st at 229.7... The only teams you really shut down were Wyoming and FIU... While you kept WKU below their average, they still shredded you for 335 yds...and UTSA passed above their average...

But we probably will pass below our average if the run game is successful..

But I'll placate you...Forget passing ypg...let's look at completion percentage (how successful are opposing qb's against the vaunted FAU db's?)... With AL and Neb - 55.8% Without 53.6%... Not a glaring difference...

So I guess we'll just have to respectfully agree to disagree...

Goliath is the delusional FAU fan. Others understand the situation. This will be a fun time for herd fans, and our pass offense is #2 in cusa but could easily put over 400+ yds if we needed to. When you can rush for 300 a game, you wont need to be passing for 450 agame. No need to. I love beig able to be 300 and 300, so balanced you cant stop us.