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BCS formula gives Owls edge over Herd in home field tie-breakerBy Doug SmockCHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A sudden blip of support in the two polls associated with the Bowl Championship Series appeared to swing Marshall's attempt to host the Conference USA championship game, but the Thundering Herd will travel to Rice for Saturday's game.In a clear result of the Herd's 59-28 win over East Carolina on Friday, Marshall received votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Harris poll, each of which constitutes one-third of the BCS formula. Six computer indexes, such as the Sagarin ratings, make up the other third.According to Conference USA officials, Rice's strength in the computer rankings outweighed Marshall's advantage in the polls. But Marshall supporters are questioning whether the application of the BCS formula was correct.