I am pretty pumped about this game. Solich is a great coach and you have an experienced and disciplined team. It looks to me like the herd has more talent but Marshall is very young and is likely to have an unpredictable season. Good luck this Saturday. My Kelly green glasses say the herd pulls this one out in a close low scoring game.

OU's best football days are ahead. The bypasses around Lancaster and Nelsonville will make games more accessible to your primary market. Overtime, the new Pickerington campus and Osteopathic outpost in Columbus will also cultivate additional fans. Consistent fan support will result in improved talent.

Thanks.  We think that as good as these days might be, the best is yet to come, too.  As for Marshall, I expect them to improve this year, even though they're a young team.  Teams generally get better during the second year of a coach's tenure because they're more used to his system.  I think most OU fans have put extra emphasis on this game, not just because of the rivalry, but also because the Cats' schedule this year is one of the weakest in the FBS (based on last year's records), so a win over Marshall could lead to a huge season.  I expect a bit of a shootout, with maybe both teams scoring in the 30s, and with luck the Cats winning.  Should be a good game.

MarshallAlum77,

You are misinterpreting Ohio's team strength.  While we can run, we are going to have a very good passing attack this year.  Tettleton is a dual-threat QB.  We are no longer the one-dimensional team of the past.  If we were going to be primarily a running team, Phil Bates would be our starter, rather than our wildcat QB and one of our WRs. We have the best stable of WRs in the history of Ohio University.  If we can't run on you, we will pass on you.  This is a multi-pronged offense. 

Let me tell you that Marshall is my second favorite college football team.  I root for Marshall every week, save one.  And, this is the one.  Each fall I bleed two shades of green.

Yours truly,

OhioCatFan

Just like in March, right? Or yesterday?

It will be at least 65%-35% in favor of Ohio. We'll have more students than Marshall has in total fans. Book it.

You all brought about 10 fans to The Joan... We will be very well represented.

Your stadium is known as "The Joan." Not something I would brag about, but hey good for you.

Actually have been to "the Joan" once before for an Ohio v. Marshall game.  Pretty sure it was 1999, and I was 11.  If I remember correctly that was the year that Marshall went undefeated and had a great year.  I was impressed with the stadium; however I had a unfortunate encounter with a 20-something year old guy who told me as an 11 year old kid to "get back to Ohio or he'd kick the s*** out of me"  To this day, I haven't seen my father that infuriated.  I know that not all Marshall fans are that way, you seem very even-keel and easy to get along with and i appreciate the respect you have shown our message board unlike others, but I still have a sour taste in my mouth in terms of Marshall fans.  

P.S. It's just Peden, not "The Peden" 

Oh, I've been to "The Joan" on many occasions. It's one of the unfortunate side effects of growing up in the Huntington area. Must. Cheer. For. The. Herd. No. Dissent. Allowed. You. Will. Be. Assimilated. But at least those life experiences taught me that if my wife ever wants her name on a football stadium, Marshall is the university to go to with the check. "Hey, we don't want to honor the football team that died in the plane crash, even though that's our whole identity. Let's name it after a lady with no connection to the unversity except that she gave us $30 million! Because that's the most important thing!"

Ooooh, burn! You successfully pointed out we know better than to visit your crappy campus!

I can definitely believe that happened in Morgantown, but I just can't believe that this happened in Huntington.  What are the odds of you going to both cities and having your car vandalized both times?  Its just not believable.  Do OU fans like to travel to any away games?  I have never seen bad reports about the experience of visiting fans.

I went to the game at Marshall last year. I enjoyed the experience. People were nice to me in Huntington. There also were plenty of OU fans there. The visitors' section was full and there were Ohio fans all over the stadium. With these two schools, there were many cases where families were split. I can safely say there were a few thousand Bobcats fans there. My guess is the crowd will be close to 25,000 (sellout) for this weekend's game, and there probably will be 7,000 or 8,000 Marhsall fans.

I am shocked at the stories I have heard about negative experiences at a Herd game.  I have never seen that at a Herd game and in my experience visiting fans enjoy their time in Huntington.  I would encourage you to give Huntington another chance next year.  We enjoy visiting fans coming to Huntington.  

All of that said, perhaps we can salvage this thread.  I am looking forward to the Ohio offensive line v. the Marshall defensive line.  We have plenty of weaknesses on this team, but the defensive line is very very good.  I sincerely think they are an SEC quality defensive line.  Vinny Curry is the best DE Marshall has ever had in my opinion.  We have had some great ones, but Vinny is built like a classic DE.  

I honestly do not think OU will be able to run very effectively on our D-line.  I also question whether Marshall will be able to throw effectively on the OU defensive secondary.  What that leaves is OU trying to win with what I think you would agree is "plan B," the passing game.  Marshall will be left with trying to win with what I would call "plan B," the running game.  Who will execute Plan B?  

This is a close game.  Special teams and turnovers will be big.  I like our special teams.  I think the only way it breaks open is if Marshall can get the ball over the top or OU can find a way to run the ball.  I don't see either happening.  I think it will be a low scoring, nasty sort of game.  Good luck.