By BRIAN WOODSON
BLUEFIELD — It’s been six years since the Marshall football team had a winning record, and five seasons since the Herd last played in a bowl game.
In Mark Snyder’s fifth year at Marshall, the Thundering Herd would like to break both of those barriers.
Marshall, which has posted records of 4-7, 5-7, 3-9 and 4-8 in Snyder’s time with the Herd, is on the hotseat, possibly needing to make some progress and face the prospects of being replaced by new athletic director Mike Hamrick.
It won’t be easy. While Marshall has some of Conference USA’s top players in tight end Cody Slate, defensive end Albert McClellan and linebacker Mario Harvey, the Thundering Herd plays in the much-improved East Division.
Marshall started last season at 3-1, but lost seven of its final eight games, shocking Houston 37-23 in Huntington. That win was even overshadowed when Cougars’ wide receiver Patrick Edwards broke his leg after running into a cart left near the back of the end zone.
As is usually the case, Marshall scheduled tough, facing road games at Virginia Tech and West Virginia, along with visits from non-conference foes Bowling Green and Southern Illinois.
In an offensive league, the Herd must score and score big. Running back Darius Marshall and Slate are pair of talented playmakers, but the key for the Herd is finding a quarterback.
Brian Anderson and Mark Cann both worked there last season with mixed results. Anderson is the projected starter heading into camp.
Defensively, the Herd has some stoppers, including DeQuan Bembry and T.J. Drakeford in the secondary, along with four returning linemen, led by McClellan.
Special teams has long been a thorn in Snyder’s side, and he’ll look for continued improvement from kicker Craig Ratanomorn and punter Kase Whitehead.
While Marshall would like to challenge for the top of the league, both Southern Mississippi and East Carolina appear to be destined to win the East and advance to the title game.
The surprise team could be Alabama-Birmingham, which could challenge Memphis, Marshall and Central Florida for third place.
Houston is the clear-cut favorite in the West, with a potent offense that simply outscores the other team. Tulsa appears to be the Cougars’ toughest foe, but the Hurricane suffered big losses on offense.
A look at Conference USA:
East Division
1. Southern Mississippi Eagles
2008 Record: 7-6, 4-4 / New Orleans Bowl, def. Troy 30-27.
Coach: Larry Fedora (2nd year, 7-6).
Starters returning: 19 / Off: 10, Def. 9.
Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Virginia (Sept. 19), at Kansas (Sept. 26), at Louisville (Oct. 10).
Key Conference Games: vs. Memphis (Oct. 17), at Houston (Oct. 31) vs. Tulsa (Nov. 21), at East Carolina (Nov. 28).
Offensive standouts: Damion Fletcher (RB), DeAndre Brown (WR), Austin Davis (QB), Ryan Hebert (OG), Kyle Burkhart (OT).
Defensive standouts: Eddie Hicks (FS), Anthony Gray (NT), Justin Wilson (SS), Martez Smith (LB), Deddrick Jones (DE).
Must replace: Gerald McRath (LB), Shawn Nelson (TE), Ryan McKee (OT).
Strengths: Experience. Davis (3,128 yds), Fletcher (1,313 yds) and Brown (1,117 yds) return, along with four offensive linemen. Nine returnees on defense should continue the Eagles’ long-time tradition of holding the opponents to among the fewest points in the league.
Biggest Issues: The loss of McRath, who left early for the NFL. The Eagles must replace Britt Barefoot who did all the kicking for USM. Southern Miss will have to play two key C-USA games at Houston and East Carolina.
Destination: Armed Forces Bowl. The Eagles are 4-1 in their last five bowl games. USM will lose to Houston in the C-USA title game.
2. East Carolina Pirates
2008 Record: 9-5, 6-2 / Liberty Bowl, lost to Kentucky 25-19.
Coach: Skip Holtz (5th year, 29-22).
Starters returning: 16 / Off: 9, Def: 7.
Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Appalachian State (Sept. 5), at West Virginia (Sept. 12), at North Carolina (Sept. 19), vs. Virginia Tech (Nov. 5).
Key Conference Games: at Marshall (Oct. 3), at Memphis (Oct. 27), at Tulsa (Nov. 15), vs. Southern Mississippi (Nov. 28).
Offensive standouts: Patrick Pinkney (QB), Terence Campbell (OT), Ben Hartman (PK), Sean Allen (C), Dwayne Harris (WR).
Defensive standouts: Nick Johnson (LB), C.J. Wilson (DE), Van Eskridge (FS), Jay Ross (DT), Emmanuel Davis (CB).
Must replace: Pierre Bell (LB), Davon Drew (TE), Brandon Simmons (RB).
Strengths: Pinkney returns for a sixth year of eligibility, and he’ll be able to throw to Harris and Darryl Freeney. The offensive line is deep and experienced. The Pirates have four players who would wind up as a first team C-USA selections.
Biggest Issues: Who runs the ball is an issue after Jonathan Williams was suspended, and leading rusher Norman Whitley missed spring ball. A brutal non-league schedule wore down the Pirates down the stretch last season. Plus, three of East Carolina’s toughest conference opponents will be played on the road.
Destination: Hawai’i Bowl, Skip Holtz and the big-game Pirates will be attractive to those fans waiting in Paradise.
3. Memphis Tigers
2008 Record: 6-7, 4-4 / St. Petersburg Bowl, lost to South Florida 41-14.
Coach: Tommy West (9th year, 78-79).
Starters returning: 12 / Off: 5, Def: 7.
Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Mississippi (Sept. 6), at Tennessee (Nov. 7).
Key Conference Games: at Southern Missisippi (Oct. 17), vs. East Carolina (Oct. 27), at Houston (Nov. 21), at Tulsa (Nov. 27).
Offensive standouts: Arkelon Hall (QB), Curtis Steele (RB), Carlos Singleton (WR), Duke Calhoun (WR), Dominik Riley (C).
Defensive standouts: Greg Jackson (LB), Alton Starr (SS), Jeremy Longstreet (LB), D.A. Griffin (CB), Winston Bowens (LB).
Must replace: Clinton McDonald (DT), Brandon Pierce (OT), Brenden Patterson (FS).
Strengths: Hall (2,275 yds), Steele (1,223) and Singleton (791 yds) are among the league’s top skill players, along with Calhoun at receiver. Four returnees make up the Tigers’ linebacker corps.
Biggest Issues: Only one starter is back on the offensive line, while the Tigers will be depending on a pair of SEC transfers on defense. Justin Thompson, a JUCO is switched from Oregon to Memphis, is also in the plans. Three of its four toughest C-USA games are on the road.
Destination: Eagle Bank Bowl. The Tigers are talented, especially on offense, and could be in Baltimore for the second year this game has been held.
4. Alabama-Birmingham Blazers
2008 Record: 4-8, 3-5 / no bowl.
Coach: Neil Callaway (3rd year, 6-18).
Starters returning: 18 / Off: 11, Def: 7.
Top Non-Conference Games: at Troy (Sept. 19), at Texas A&M; (Sept. 26), at Mississippi (Oct. 17).
Key Conference Games: vs. Southern Mississippi (Oct. 1), at Marshall (Oct. 24), at Memphis (Nov. 14), at East Carolina (Nov. 21)
Offensive standouts: Joe Webb (QB), Rashaud Slaughter (RB), Frantrell Forrest (WR), Jake Seitz (C), Terence Edge (OT).
Defensive standouts: Chase Daniel (SS), Keon Harris (LB), Anthony Barnes (DE), D.J. Reese (DT), Brandon Carlisle (CB).
Must replace: Kevin Sanders (CB), Swayze Waters (K/P), Joe Henderson (LB).
Strengths: This could be one of UAB’s best teams. Webb passed for 2,367 yards and ran for another 1,021 last season, while Slaughter and Forest are also talented playmakers. The offensive line returns four starters, while the defense will be led by three returnees on the interior. This could be the surprise team in C-USA.
Biggest Issues: A history of losing, and a difficult non-conference slate with three games on the road, and three more away from Legion Field against three of the top teams in the East. The loss of Waters leaves the Blazers looking for replacements in the kicking game. UAB lost its top three tacklers, along with three defensive starters in the secondary.
Destination: St. Petersburg Bowl. UAB, the surprise team in Conference USA, could surprise and get its first bowl bid since 2004.
5. Marshall Thundering Herd
2008 Record: 4-8, 3-5 / no bowl
Coach: Mark Snyder (5th year, 16-31).
Starters returning: 16 / Off: 8, Def: 8.
Top Non-Conference Games: at Virginia Tech (Sept. 12), vs. Bowling Green (Sept. 19), at West Virgnia (Oct. 17).
Key Conference Games: at Memphis (Sept. 26), vs. East Carolina (Oct. 3), vs. Alabama-Birmingham (Oct. 24), vs. Southern Mississippi (Nov. 21).
Offensive standouts: Cody Slate (TE), Darius Marshall (RB), C.J. Wood (OT), Ryan Tillman (OT), Bryant Milligan (WR).
Defensive standouts: Albert McClellan (DE), Mario Harvey (LB), Michael Janec (DE), Brandon Burns (LB), DeQuan Bembry (CB).
Must replace: C.J. Spillman (S), Darius Passmore (WR), Maurice Kitchens (LB), Brian Leggett (C), Josh Evans (OG).
Strengths: Marshall and Slate give Marshall a pair of playmakers, while McClellan leads a defense that also includes Harvey and Bembry, who have been difference makers for the Herd. Marshall was fortunate thanks to the schedule makers, not having to make the exhausting trip to El Paso until the last game of the season.
Biggest Issues: The quarterback, no matter whether it’s Brian Anderson or Mark Cann, must produce for Marshall to be successful. Passmore was big loss at receiver, leading little experience there, while the offensive line lost three starters, including Evans, who transferred this summer in a WVIAC school. Special teams have been albratross around Snyder’s neck since he arrived in Huntington.
Destination: Home. Marshall or Texas El-Paso could grab the final C-USA bowl, or perhaps claim another lower tier bowl bid. Here’s guessing the Herd finishes with another losing record and stays home again.
6. Central Florida Golden Knights
2008 Record: 4-8, 3-5 / no bowl.
Coach: George O’Leary (6th year, 78-69).
Starters returning: 15 / Off: 9, Def: 6.
Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Buffalo (Sept. 19), vs. Miami, Fla. (Oct. 17), at Texas (Nov. 7).
Key Conference Games: at Southern Mississippi (Sept. 12), at East Carolina (Sept. 26), vs. Memphis (Oct. 3), vs. Marshall (Nov. 1).
Offensive standouts: Brynn Harvey (RB), Brian Watters (WR), Jah Reid (OT), Rob Calabrese (QB), Rocky Ross (WR).
Defensive standouts: Bruce Miller (DE), Lawrence Young (LB), Torrell Troup (DT), Chance Henderson (LB), Derrick Hallman (FS).
Must replace: Joe Burnett (CB), Jason Venson (FS), Sha’reff Rashad (SS), Johnell Neal (CB).
Strengths: The offense returns practically everyone, including the top seven rushers and top eight receivers, along with four offensive linemen. The front seven on defense should be stout for the Knights.
Biggest Issues: The non-conference slate includes games against Miami and Texas. Calabrese must run the offense favored by new coordinator Charlie Taaffe. Only one starter returns to the secondary, and that is Hallman, who was a linebacker last season.
Destination: Home. The Knights haven’t bowled since 2007.
West Division
1. Houston Cougars
2008 Record: 8-5, 6-2 / Armed Forces Bowl, def. Air Force 34-28.
Coach: Kevin Sumlin (2nd year, 8-5).
Starters returning: 12 / Off: 8, Def: 4.
Top Non-Conference Games: at Oklahoma State (Sept. 12), vs. Texas Tech (Sept. 26), at Mississippi State (Oct. 10).
Key Conference Games: at Texas El-Paso (Oct. 3), vs. Southern Mississippi (Oct. 31), at Tulsa (Nov. 7), vs. Memphis (Nov. 21).
Offensive standouts: Case Keenum (QB), Bryce Beall (RB), Tyron Carrier (WR), Patrick Edwards (WR), Carl Barnett (C).
Defensive standouts: Marcus McGraw (LB), Brandon Brinkley (CB), Chase Turner (P), CJ Cavness (LB).
Must replace: Sebastian Vollmer (OT), Phillip Hunt (DE), Mark Hafner (TE).
Strengths: The Cougars could be one of the top non-BCS teams in the nation. The offense is loaded at all the skill positions, led by Keenum, who threw for 5,020 yards and 44 touchdowns last season. Beall also ran for 1,247, while Carter had 1,026 throught the air. Houston avoids East Carolina and Marshall, which shocked the Cougars last season.
Biggest Issues: Defense. The Cougars can score, but they can also give up the points. Only four players are back from last season so Houston might have to out-score teams, which usually isn’t a problem. Like points? Watch the Cougars and Texas Tech on Sept. 26.
Destination: Liberty Bowl. The C-USA champions, the Cougars will entertain, and that’s what a bowl committee looks for.
2. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
2008 Record: 11-3, 7-1 / GMAC Bowl, def. Ball State 45-13.
Coach: Todd Graham (3rd year, 28-13).
Starters returning: 13 / Off: 5, Def: 8.
Top Non-Conference Games: at Oklahoma (Sept. 19), vs. Boise State (Oct. 14).
Key Conference Games: vs. Houston (Nov. 7), vs. East Carolina (Nov. 15), at Southern Missisippi (Nov. 21), vs. Memphis (Nov. 27).
Offensive standouts: Damaris Johnson (WR). Slick Shelley (WR), Charles Clay (RB), Tyler Holmes (OT).
Defensive standouts: Mike Bryan (LB), James Lockett (S), Charles Davis (FS), Wilson Garrison (NG).
Must replace: Tarrion Adams (RB), David Johnson (QB), Brennan Marion (WR).
Strengths: Even without Marion, Tulsa is loaded at receiver. The defense returns eight starters, including all three linebackers. Three of the ‘Canes toughest non-league games will be at home, although all will be in succession over the final month of the season.
Biggest Issues: The Hurricane lost its most prolific offensive playmakers. Jacob Bower or G.J. Kinne — a transfer from Texas — will try to continue Tulsa’s pass-happy ways. Tulsa struggled mightily last season in pass defense and forcing turnovers.
Destination: The New Orleans Bowl. Houston is clearly the best team in the West. The ‘Canes will be second, and go bowling for a fifth straight season.
3. Texas-El Paso Miners
2008 Record: 4-4, 5-7 / no bowl.
Coach: Mike Price (6th year, 113-108).
Starters returning: 15 / Off: 8, Def: 7.
Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Kansas (Sept. 12), at Texas (Sept. 26).
Key Conference Games: vs. Houston (Oct. 3), at Memphis (Oct. 10), vs. Tulsa (Oct. 21), vs. Marshall (Nov. 28).
Offensive standouts: Trevor Vittatoe (QB), Kris Adams (WR), Jeff Moturi (WR), Cameron Raschke (OG).
Defensive standouts: Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith (S), Cornelius Brown (CB), Anthony Morrow (LB), Robert Soleyjacks (DE).
Must replace: James Hunt (TE), Terrell Jackson (RB), Adam Vincent (LB).
Strengths: The Miners can dig up some points, led by Vittatoe (3,274 yards, 33 touchdowns), and a pair of 50-catch receivers in Moturi and Adams. Four starters return to the offensive line. The return of Amy from an injury should help a defense that was horrid last season.
Biggest Issues: Seven starters return on defense, but that unit allowed nearly 470 yards and 37 points a game. UTEP must play three road games in succession near the end of the season, and no trip from El Paso is close. Road games to Kansas and Texas could get ugly.
Destination: Bowl, somewhere. The Miners or Marshall could secure the final bowl opening, perhaps at the International Bowl in Toronto.
4. Tulane Green Wave
2008 Record: 2-10, 1-7 / no bowl.
Coach: Bob Toledo (3rd year, 69-80).
Starters returning: 13 / Off: 7, Def: 6.
Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Brigham Young (Sept. 12), at LSU (Oct. 31).
Key Conference Games: vs. Marshall (Oct. 10), vs. Houston (Oct. 17), at Southern Mississippi (Oct. 24), at Central Florida (Nov. 21).
Offensive standouts: Andre Anderson (RB), Jeremy Williams (WR), Andrew Nierman (C), Joe Kemp (QB), Cody Sparks (TE).
Defensive standouts: Corey Sonnier (FS), Reggie Scott (DT), Ross Thevenot (P), David Kirksey (LB).
Must replace: Troy Kropog (OT), Brian King (WR), Devin Holland (LB).
Strengths: Anderson was fourth in the nation last season, averaging 142 yards rushing a game. Williams is a talented receiver, while three starters return on the offensive line. Thevenot has gotten lots of practice as the punter.
Biggest Issues: Kemp and Kevin Moore are both vying for the quarterback slot. The offense was 112th in the nation in scoring last season, while the Wave was 106th in scoring defense. Tulane starts the season with Tulsa, and ends it with three straight on the road.
Destination: Home. The ‘Wave will win more than two games, but not enough to keep playing in December.
5. Rice Owls
2008 Record: 10-3, 7-1 / Texas Bowl, def. Western Michigan 38-14.
Coach: David Bailiff (3rd year, 13-12).
Starters returning: 13 / Off: 4, Def: 9.
Top Non-Conference Games: at Texas Tech (Sept. 12), at Oklahoma State (Sept. 19); vs. Vanderbilt (Sept. 26); vs. Navy (Oct. 10).
Key Conference Games: vs. Tulsa (Oct. 3), at Southern Methodist (Nov. 7), vs. Texas El-Paso (Nov. 21), at Houston (Nov. 28).
Offensive standouts: Toren Dixon (WR), Scott Mitchell (OT), Corbin Smiter (WR), Taylor Wardlow (TE), Jake Hicks (OG).
Defensive standouts: Andrew Sendejo (FS), Cheta Ozougwu (LB), Scott Solomon (DE), Travis Bradshaw (LB), Chance Talbert (DT).
Must replace: Jarrett Dillard (WR), James Casey (TE), Chase Clement (QB).
Strengths: The defense will have to carry the Owls early, and has the potential to do that with nine returnees, led by Sendejo and Solomon. Dixon and Smiter combined for 80 catches themselves last season.
Biggest Issues: The Owls lost Clement, who threw for 4,119 yards and 44 touchdowns, along with Dillard and Casey, who combined to catch 198 balls for 2,640 yards. The top three running backs have also departed. Rice opens the season with three games on the road, including against a pair of Big Twelve foes.
Destination: Home: Rice has gone bowling two tims in the last three seasons after last going in 1961. It won’t happen this year.
6. Southern Methodist Mustangs
2008 Record: 1-11, 0-8 / no bowl.
Coach: June Jones (2nd year, 77-52).
Starters returning: 16 / Off: 8, Def: 8.
Top Non-Conference Games: at Washington State (Sept. 19), at Texas Christian (Oct. 3); vs. Navy (Oct. 17).
Key Conference Games: at Alabama-Birmingham (Sept. 12), vs. at Houston (Oct. 24), vs. Rice (Nov. 7), at Marshall (Nov. 21).
Offensive standouts: Emmanuel Sanders (WR), Aldrick Robinson (WR), Bo Levi Mitchell (QB), Cole Beasley (WR).
Defensive standouts: Pete Fleps (LB), Youri Yenga (LB), Bryan McCann (CB), Derrius Bell (CB).
Must replace: Thomas Morstead (K/P), Sean Lobo (OG), Serge Elizee (DT).
Strengths: The Mustangs are loaded with receivers, and Mitchell should be improved after throwing for 24 touchdowns. Yenga and Fleps are talented linebackers for a team with no where to go but up.
Biggest Issues: Balance on offense since SMU’s leading rusher last season had 190 yards and he’s gone. Mitchell also threw 23 interceptions for the Mustangs. SMU has never recovered from the ‘death penalty’ given by the NCAA years ago, having last played in a bowl game in 1984.
Destination: Home. Jones left Hawaii for a program that might never get back to respectability.
—Contact Brian Woodson
at bwoodson@bdtonline.com
