Topic: What I have learned about non Marshall fan college football reviewers

[Johnnyherd]

I?ve mentioned before, I travel for work and I?ll put on YouTube videos during some commutes.  Here?s some generalizations that I have noticed when I watched Sun belt previews and Marshall previews.

In general, we are an American sweetheart.  People want to see us win.   Maybe it?s the WAM movie.  People say good things about us and our fans.  This is a good thing so don?t be a$$hole to anyone but USPAM.

Many people respect and remember our history in the 90?s / 2000?s and bring up Moss

Some people think we are bigger than we actually are and have more resources than other Sunbelt programs

Most reviewers absolutely love Huff and think he?s bound for big things.  I did run into a couple reviewers that thought he should be fired, which was a surprise.

Here is the number one thing and most important thing that I noticed and I knew this but I vastly underestimated its importance in terms of popularity with the serious (Non Marshall) college football fans and analysts.

If you don?t have a likable, talented and recognizable Quarterback absolutely no one gets excited about your program and no one really cares to watch you, talk about you or bother taking an interest in your season.   This could probably be overcome with a stable of running backs. 

People love offense and they love excitement.  People are still in love with Coastal Carolina and Chadwell?s unique offense.

We have really done ourselves a major disservice by putting such an insufferable offense on the field for the last few years, it?s cost us exposure and it?s probably cost us national viewership and support and likely the amongst our very own fans. 

It?s apparent if you want people to watch and care, put on an exciting brand of offensive football, if you have an innovative offensive style or you have a captivating player the exposure alone is worth it?s weight in gold. 

The concept of Funbelt is akin to the Fun and Gun concept, not exactly F&G of Florida, but the concept of unpredictable, fearless and exciting games.  Going for it on 4th down, fake punts/FGs and sending the house to blitz the QB.   

Doc put us to sleep punting on 3rd down, 40 yards from the end zone.

[elginherd]

I?ve mentioned before, I travel for work and I?ll put on YouTube videos during some commutes.  Here?s some generalizations that I have noticed when I watched Sun belt previews and Marshall previews.

In general, we are an American sweetheart.  People want to see us win.   Maybe it?s the WAM movie.  People say good things about us and our fans.  This is a good thing so don?t be a$$hole to anyone but USPAM.

Many people respect and remember our history in the 90?s / 2000?s and bring up Moss

Some people think we are bigger than we actually are and have more resources than other Sunbelt programs

Most reviewers absolutely love Huff and think he?s bound for big things.  I did run into a couple reviewers that thought he should be fired, which was a surprise.

Here is the number one thing and most important thing that I noticed and I knew this but I vastly underestimated its importance in terms of popularity with the serious (Non Marshall) college football fans and analysts.

If you don?t have a likable, talented and recognizable Quarterback absolutely no one gets excited about your program and no one really cares to watch you, talk about you or bother taking an interest in your season.   This could probably be overcome with a stable of running backs. 

People love offense and they love excitement.  People are still in love with Coastal Carolina and Chadwell?s unique offense.

We have really done ourselves a major disservice by putting such an insufferable offense on the field for the last few years, it?s cost us exposure and it?s probably cost us national viewership and support and likely the amongst our very own fans. 

It?s apparent if you want people to watch and care, put on an equal exciting brand of offensive football, if you have an innovative offensive style or you have a captivating player the exposure alone is worth it?s weight in gold.

It's been more than a few years.

Snark button on:
No sh$t!
Snark button off.

[Johnnyherd]

See 2 things, I grew up playing conservative football.  Running the ball and capitalizing on turn overs and being hyper vigilant not to lose the game.   This, in combination of my new found Marshall soccer fandom, where goals may take 30 minutes or more and winning is all that matters, it was lost on me how football viewership and popularity had become so much more than just winning.

[MUonium]

it's easy- if you aren't above average at enough key positions, especially the obvious ones, then you are likely going to be average or worse in the W-L column, average or worse in fan appeal, average or worse in general interest and economic gain.  we see the difference a coach can make (Pruett AND staff, Grassie, Caldwell, etc).  are we seeing the difference in leaders like Smith and Spears?

every Herd fan on the planet knows we've squandered the brand over the last couple decades and at other times.  to be clear, AD wide, not all has been or is negative.  but the dire question remains for the Prez and AD- how does Marshall improve upon AND sustain especially what has traditionally been the money sports, FB and Men's basketball?  its not like its gotten any easier since NIL and the transfer portal.  good luck, Herd

[Johnnyherd]

it's easy- if you aren't above average at enough key positions, especially the obvious ones, then you are likely going to be average or worse in the W-L column, average or worse in fan appeal, average or worse in general interest and economic gain.  we see the difference a coach can make (Pruett AND staff, Grassie, Caldwell, etc).  are we seeing the difference in leaders like Smith

I agree.   A much simpler way of saying things

If you don?t have the players to be great everywhere, then just be exciting and talented on offense and trust your offense and be fearless with it, even if it means losing sometimes.  People will tune into watch a fun offense and it?s great for the brand nationally.

We tried to make a move in this direction with the hiring of Tim Cramsey but I don?t believe Doc knew how to recruit the players to make his system go and Doc as a HC was a complete contradiction to that style. 

Doc played not-to-lose, wait on their mistake, rather than roll the dice to win.  Punt and play defense 1st and foremost.

I?m interested to see the direction ODU?s program goes.  ODU did something similar to what we tried to do with Cramsey.  They hired Fordham?s record setting OC and he brought his QB with him. Last year they struggled a little to get the new offense up and running but this season and the next should be interesting to watch.

I remember hearing that Fordham?s OC set the all time record for total yards in a season prior to being hired by ODU.

[MicDrass1]

New College Football gave Herd poor ratings but Pennington has a nice arm & a couple of our wrs are very fast.