Topic: So let’s say we win Saturday

[ThunderingHerdFan]

If Marshall wins Saturday, I’m supposed to ignore it and just be miserable with the state of our athletic programs because we’re not playing in the College Football Playoff as the number 1, undefeated, unscored upon team in the nation. I’m supposed to be mad we’re not playing in a conference championship game with 18 RETURNING STARTERS (nevemind that multiple missed the loss to MTSU that sunk us).

I mean, that seems to be the way around here at the moment. Even when we know we’ve been disappointing, even when we know the quality of play is terrible, we are supposed to carry that with us every second of every day, including in the midst of winning football games those very people give you no chance to win.

[Herdmeister]

Beating Virginia Tech will help this season, sure.  It won't make is successful season in my opinion, but it'll help.  I have a hard time considering any season successful when we are basically out of the running for the conference championship in early November.  Sad to say, but the debacles against MTSU/SMU made it hard to say it was a successful season.  We used to 'Play for Championships', and that's still the standard I want us to strive for.  The losses to MTSU/SMU pretty much made it clear that by early November (11/3) we were no longer Playing for the conference championship.  For that reason no, it's not a successful season regardless of our end records, if we beat VT or win our bowl game.  It may not be a failure of a season if we accomplish those things, but it won't be successful either.  Sorry, but I have a higher standard for Marshall football than a good record in a crappy conference, and hopefully beating up on a name program who is trying to keep a bowl streak alive.  I hope we win, and I'll be cheering the whole time.  But it won't have a huge impact on my thoughts on this season.  I do, however, give Hamrick props for getting this game scheduled and the subsequent other 2 games.  That was a great deal.

I agree with you but you mistakenly said we lost to SMU (Southern Methodist University)? We didn't play them. We played USM (University of Southern Mississippi). 
Not trying to be a smart alec but I see that so often so I used your post as a chance to correct it.
As for the post, I agree and appreciated it.

[Green Dog]

Yes it would be a successful season. Anytime we get a win over a P5 team (even an average one)
is a great day in my book. Combine that with a bowl win for a 10-3 record and absolutely yes.

Its not what anyone on this forum or any player/coach wanted but 10 wins is 10 wins. Not an easy thing
for the huge majority of Teams in any conference.

Now, if we lose to VT and the bowl game it will be just another under achieving season under Doc.

[forphase1]

I agree with you but you mistakenly said we lost to SMU (Southern Methodist University)? We didn't play them. We played USM (University of Southern Mississippi). 
Not trying to be a smart alec but I see that so often so I used your post as a chance to correct it.
As for the post, I agree and appreciated it.

Yup.  I knew it was Southern Miss, but used the wrong abbreviation for them.  Thanks for catching it...original post corrected.   :-)

[chris88]

Not so sure about the national exposure. Viewership on some of them is VERY bad. Just how much interest will there be in a game in New Orleans on Dec 15 between North Texas and maybe Georgia Southern? If you lived anywhere outside their areas, would you watch?

I don't know, most Marshall bowl games rate pretty high for TV audience among lesser bowls.  If a couple million people watch on national tv I'd say it's still a win from that perspective. I usually watch at least part of all CUSA bowl games unless work etc get in way.

As far as going south for games I think it's much better because frankly I am not going to any bowl unless I can make it an extended vacation and get some sun in process.  2 trips to Motor City bowl was enough for me.  It's like when they had the Super Bowl in NYC.  I'm not paying a bunch of money to be uncomfortable and freeze....and the Statue of Liberty is not as appealing in January.. at least to me.

[SuperAnjario]

CUSA has a given number of bowls. It matter not the team record. ESPN and CUSA will put teams where they believe it makes most sense to THEM.

Not correct.  There is some preference given to schooos that had better seasons.  The records do matter.  Champ never going to Bahamas or Hawaii unless it wants to.

[SuperAnjario]

Not so sure about the national exposure. Viewership on some of them is VERY bad. Just how much interest will there be in a game in New Orleans on Dec 15 between North Texas and maybe Georgia Southern? If you lived anywhere outside their areas, would you watch?

Wrong again.  Bowls do extremely well on TV.

[SuperAnjario]

No matter the bowl Marshall plays in, they will play a MAC, SB or AAC team Facts! CUSA bowl tie ins are with those leagues.

Wrong again!  We have ties with the Mountain West and Big 10 and a secondary agreement with the Independence Bowl against the SEC or ACC.  Additionally, horse trading occurs.  P5 opponent unlikely, but any G5 possible.

Probably headed to Tampa or Boca against the AAC.

[herdgameplan]

If possible give me Marshall vs UCF or USF in Boca!

[mckayt]

Condescending.  Leather helmet comment=old and doesn't matter?

[parshall2marshall]

I've already stated a couple of times that I hated the circumstances / setup for this game.

UVA had their game pretty much in the bag, and let it slip away. I think the same thing might happen to Marshall. Unless there is more Herd Pride and less shenanigans than I expect to see from and around "the most prepared, most invested team in the country".

Most likely scenario in my book is a close loss at VT and a FL bowl win for 9-4. I will still watch the games, but I doubt I will be posting anymore about MUFB if it plays out like I think it will. Just my personal opinion that, especially given the circumstances around the VT game, Hamrick and Doc know that our fan base won't take two losses to close this particular season. Apologies for being such a bitter and bad fan.

[chris88]

I don't know if it has changed, but previously I thought the only team that got to choose it's bowl was the conf champ and the rest were decided by CUSA and tv partners with input from schools.