3:06pm: Hotline with Dave Weekley

Tuesday Takeways

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—The Thundering Herd is exactly where we thought it would be at this point in the season. At 6-0, Marshall finally climbed its way back in to the top 25 after an 11 year absence.

How far has this program come under Doc Holliday? Following the 49-24 win over Middle Tennessee State on Saturday there were less than thunderous applause when it was announced over the P.A. that Marshall was bowl eligible. In 2011, winning six games was overachieving and winning a bowl game, any bowl game, was a major accomplishment. Now, the expectations are much higher, in fact higher than they’ve ever been before.

Cato honored by the conference
Cato completed 17-of-33 passes for 337 yards and three touchdown passes, to go with a four-yard touchdown run to cap the Herd’s first possession of the third quarter, in a 49-24 win over Middle Tennessee. The TD passes extended his consecutive games with a TD pass streak to 38, tying him with Russell Wilson (NC State-Wisconsin) for the FBS record, a mark he can break in his hometown Saturday as Marshall visits FIU. Cato has won one Offensive Player of the Week honor in each of the last three seasons.

Who can slow down the offense?
So far the only team that has slowed down the offense is Marshall itself. While sporting a perfect record it has been far from flawless. There have been turnovers. Cato has thrown three interceptions inside the redzone this year. Even though those picks came after the game was well in hand, it is something coach Doc Holliday would like to avoid.

The biggest killer to Marshall drives this year have been penalties. Even Marshall has a tough time converting a 2nd and 25. The Herd was penalized eight times for 101 yards on Saturday. That seems minuscule compared to the 20 penalties it racked up against Akron.

Don’t dismiss this team
Marshall’s best argument to voters the rest of this year may be simply “Watch the this team.” Those who want to dismiss Marshall’s record and statistics as the result of weak opponents, Michael Wilbon, or would rather talk about attendance, have not actually watched this team play. After watching all six games so far and talking to analysts who watch games and look for the little things that make teams good, I firmly believe this is a very, very good football team.

If Marshall continues down the path it is headed, voters and committee members who will decide who gets to play in a major bowl game at the end of the season, need to take the time to actually watch this team play.

Looking ahead
The final six games alternate home and away games starting this weekend at FIU. Marshall also goes on the road to Southern Miss (11/8) and UAB (11/22) with home games against FAU (10/25), Rice (11/15) and Western Kentucky (11/28).  It sounds crazy but the biggest obstacles in front of the Herd are this weekend and at UAB.

The Herd over the last several years has had some trouble in focusing while in Florida and FIU’s defense is statistically impressive, ranking first in Conference USA in total defense and pass defense. However, its offense is very unspectacular. The Panthers are at or near the bottom in most offensive categories.

Then, an empty Legion Field, in November, against a decent UAB team. Marshall has gone to UAB and lost before. The Herd will have to make an extra effort to remained focused and create its own intensity in an atmosphere that will more closely resemble a practice rather than a game.





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