Topic: Doug Smock: Marshall steps into AAC’s banner year

[biggreenarms]

So just how has the AAC fared? Check the rankings, where three teams reside in the Associated Press Top 25: League champion Houston 14th, Navy 21st and Temple — the team once tossed out of the Big East — 24th.

And commissioner Michael Aresco is lodging a mild protest about it.

“I still think our teams aren’t ranked high enough, based on what they’ve done,” he said last week. “I thought Houston should have been higher. A lot of eyes opened when Houston beat Vanderbilt 34-0. That’s a Vanderbilt team with a very good defense.

“They beat Louisville at Louisville, and Louisville became a very good team. The loss at UConn was sort of a ‘trap game,’ they were coming off an emotional win against Memphis where they came from behind. They had Navy coming up for all the marbles [division title], and they didn’t have their quarterback.

“You look at the other teams, and Memphis isn’t in any of the top 25s, but they could easily have. And I thought they should have.”

Houston and Memphis are two of nine former Conference USA members, seven of them Marshall rivals from C-USA’s 2005-12 lineup. Herd fans could only watch as the Big East/AAC siphoned off Houston, Memphis, Tulsa, Tulane, Southern Methodist, ECU and Central Florida.

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/20151220/doug-smock-marshall-steps-into-aacs-banner-year

[HerdnClt]

I believe the AAC is 0-2 in bowls. Western Kentucky thumped UCF and Temple was beaten up by Toledo. AAC must have a good PR firm hired. Keep it rolling Herd.

[herdfifteen]

Most overrated conference in the nation, WKU beat up on one front runner and Toledo outclassed Temple.

[herdfan429]

Ucf went 0-12 so they didn't even come close to sniffing a bowl game. You mean uSf

[coloradoherd]

I believe the AAC is 0-2 in bowls. Western Kentucky thumped UCF and Temple was beaten up by Toledo. AAC must have a good PR firm hired. Keep it rolling Herd.

Yes, as you've noted, not only is the AAC 0-2 so far, they are 0-2 against C-USA and the MAC.  

Granted, it was the C-USA champion against the (5th?) place team in the AAC, but USF looked very strong the second half of the season.  And the Toledo victory over a ranked Temple was a strong statement.  

We need to do our job and beat UConn.  

[bbcard1]

I thought USF would have been a very tough draw for us. I just hope no one is going in thinking UCONN is going to hand us the game.

[MUther]

We are good enough to spank them.  They are not good enough to spank us.  They can beat us but it will be a trenches type game for them to win.  They won't hand us anything and we have the tools to take it.  My biggest fear is that we look like a deer inn headlights when we start, we commit stupid penalties, and we don't adjust at half if they're hanging around or winning.  If we can come out and establish a little offense early with confidence then we win going away.  Our defense is just as good as theirs if not better.  They did enough in every game but WKU for us to win (and performed more than adequately at WKU but that's not saying much against their offense).  I think it will be more of the same with UCONN.  Wouldn't be surprised to see us win by 30, win in a squeaker, or lose in a squeaker.   Would be very shocked to lose by 10 or more points.

[BHFIOHIO]

USF was 6-2 AAC ....def not a middle of the pack...thumped Templejust like Toledo

[HerdnClt]

Overrated!

[GoHerd2112]

I'm hoping these 2 losses by the AAC, especially the Temple loss, will give our guys a shot of confidence before they even take the field.
I can see Cinncy and Navy winning their games. Houston and Memphis are going to have their hands full.