Herd fan here.  Couple of things.  First, some of you need to feed me a plate of crow over my prediction last year.  I'll be the first to accept it, if anyone is willing to serve.  I was way too high last year on our D line, a freshman QB and didn't really realize how slow our linebackers were.  Except for the QB, all that's gone.

Second, I know you guys can't look past NMSU...so I'll do it for you.  I also know we can't look past Western Carolina...so I assume you'll do it for me. 

Third, I'm pumped about the 9/15 game.  If you check the Marshall boards, you'll see that people are already calling it the "Game of the Year."  I agree.  We play Purdue on the road, and Southern Miss.  I figure we win Purdue and lose USM.  But I think OU is the best team we play the rest of the year. I don't put much stock in the PSU win.  I predicted OU would win that by 14, though I thought it would be higher scoring.  Not do downplay the achievment AT ALL.  But OU is talented where it counts, very, very well coached, tough and disciplined.  You just didn't have the pre-season love you deserved.

I think Marshall is the "Game of the Year" for OU too.  Not that I think we're better than PSU, or OU for that matter.  I think OU wins out in conference and your remaining non-conference schedule is soft.  So, the way I see it, a night road game at MU is the only thing standing in the way of an undefeated year for OU.  To me, that spells the "Game of the Year" on 9/15. 

Your problem comes from three angles.  First, Cato, who is definiately a lot better than last year, thanks in no small part to a much better O line and the sophomore "bounce."  The other problem is that it's an evening start in Huntington.  As I recall, we've lost 2 games starting after 6pm in the last 22 years in Huntington, one in OT to WVU 2 years ago.  The other was App. State in 1995, if I recall correctly.  It's a hard place to go and win, especially at night.  Last year's Herd team was cocky and overlooked an OU team that would have beaten the Herd even if they had given full effort.  So, instead of being humble and losing by 7, they were stupid and got beat by a million.  You won't see that again.  You'll get full effort from the Herd this year.   

I think OU is better than MU and will score a lot.  But I think our offense is much, much better than last year, so it's a close matchup.  I'm not sure I'd make this prediction if I wasn't a Marshall fan: Home field advantage is the difference in this one.  In a shootout: MU 49, OU 42. 

I for one do night like to serve crow because I have tasted it and I don't care for it. I am glad someone else brought this game up and not me because I was tempted to start a thread last night but resisted because I did not want to get caught looking ahead.

I agree that this game could be Ohio's biggest game of the year if it hopes to continue making a national splash. The Joan is a tough atmosphere to play in and I certainly hope Ohio fans make the trip. The Marching 110 is making the trip which will add the the excitement as well.

Despite what happened in Morgantown, Marshall will be tough to handle especially at home and still stewing over what happened last year. Hopefully Ohio has all of its defensive backs because Cato is going to be tossing the ball around like crazy. Marshall will need to make this game a track meet and NOT turn the ball over if it is to win. Ohio needs to get pressure on Cato to disrupt him and also grind out nice long drives on offense to wear down Marshall's defense. In other words do exactly what we did to Penn State. People need to realize that Penn State's defense was pretty much the same as last year and I was really impressed at Ohio's dominance at the offensive line.

Are any of you guys attending the Bobcat Bash at Ohio University Proctorville that day?

Gallia.  I figured some would want to talk this game, but not bring it up for the reason you suggest.  Thanks on the crow...we all know that feeling! 

Agree completely on your keys to the game.  FANS, come on down.  Should be plenty of seats, but still over 30K in attendance, so it'll be a lot of fun.  As always, just come by the tailgates and we'll give what we have to give in the way of food/beer.