Marshall Football: Can Thundering Herd return to C-USA title game?

How will Marshall football fare in 2021?

This is a schedule that Marshall should take advantage of. They do not play any Power Five opponents and their toughest conference game, UAB, is at home this season.

A run to a New Year’s Six game is certainly in play.

• Game 1: at Navy (W) — Navy’s running attack could present problems, but I think Marshall’s defense is up to the task.
• Game 2: NC Central (W) — Marshall should win this game pretty big and get some younger players some experience.
• Game 3: East Carolina (W) — The Pirates will have a tough offense, but their defense will not be able to stop Grant Wells and the Marshall passing attack.
• Game 4: at Appalachian State (L) — Marshall won this one last year, but App State gets revenge in Boone.
• Game 5: at Middle Tennessee (W) — The Blue Raiders are another high-scoring offense, but I think Marshall’s defense gives them the edge.
• Game 6: Old Dominion (W) — The Monarchs are not going to be able to stop Wells and this offense.
• Game 7: at North Texas (W) — The Thundering Herd get bowl eligible with a win over the Mean Green.
• Game 8: FIU (W) — FIU is trying to find a quarterback and that is not something you want against a defense like Marshall’s.
• Game 9: at FAU (W) — FAU is another team with quarterback uncertainty and I think that gives Marshall the edge.
• Game 10: UAB (W) — Marshall gets revenge in a title game rematch from 2020 and a potential title game preview for 2021.
• Game 11: at Charlotte (W) — Marshall wins in a shootout with the 49ers.
• Game 12: Western Kentucky (W) — Marshall caps a great regular season unbeaten in conference play.

Prediction: 11-1, 8-0 C-USA

This might be a bit of an over projection, but with so many of their tougher games at home, I think it lines up perfectly for the Herd to have a double-digit win season and make a push for a New Year’s Six bowl.