I don't understand why people are criticizing Marshall for hiring the PR firm. I remember several years ago when Oregon was starting to promote themselves nationally and they rented a huge billboard in Times Square to build Heisman hype for Joey Harrington. All Marshall is doing is trying to market their program. I think it is a smart move which will have trickle-down effects on recruiting, create general awareness about the university and possibly lead to increased donor money.
I agree with you, but Marshall did not hire the firm, C-USA did in the hopes that Marshall's success has a halo effect for the conference.
And good for them.
I'm no fan of Marshall's but I'm finding myself rooting for them to win out. Why can't an undefeated team have a shot at the title? We all know how people will answer, but the success of Marshall, NIU, Boise St (in the day) or whatever hot outsider team of the season there is at least keeps the smaller conferences relevant. The autocracy of the P5 has always been bad, but it seems to be getting worse as the gap between them and other conferences continues to widen -- especially due to big TV contracts.
I don't like where college football is going, so if a team outside of the P5 can shake things up a little, more power to them. And if that team is Marshall, so be it (as long as their fans don't gloat on this board)