2009 College Football Predictions: Marshall Thundering Herd

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This is a continuation of our series on our exclusive 2009 college football predictions.  Follow all of our 2009 college football predictions here (team by team) or here (by conference).

Marshall Thundering Herd

2008 Record: (4-8, 3-5)
Coach: Mark Snyder, 5th year (16-31 overall)
Off. Coordinator: John Shannon (2nd year)
Def. Coordinator: Rick Minter (2nd year)
Returning Starters: 17 (7 offense, 8 defense, punter, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

Offense: The Marshall Thundering Herd returns seven starters to an offense that produced just 20.5ppg and 330.4yds/game. Sophomore QB Mark Cann (6-4, 238) returns after throwing for 1,767 yards, but he struggled late in the season, completing just 30 of 70 passes in the final three games. Junior Brian Anderson (6-3, 217) played in the final when Cann was hurt and threw for 177 yards and three TDs (14-of-19). He moved past Cann with that effort but will also be pushed by juco transfers Press Taylor and Jacob Laudenslayer. At running back, junior Darius Marshall (great name) led the team with 1,095 yards, but only one TD in the last eight games. They have an outstanding tight end in senior Cody Slate (6-4, 220), who caught 40 passes for 510 yards. The receivers lack experience as there is hope that juco prospect Wayne Bonner (6-4, 210) will add size and 4.5 speed to a team lacking playmakers. The offensive line returns just two starters from a unit that allowed just 13 sacks. Fortunately, both tackles are back in sophomores C.J. Wood (6-5, 288) and Ryan Tillman (6-5, 282).

Defense: Marshall returns eight starters on defense including all four on the defensive line. The defense was awful last season, especially against the pass, as six opponents passed for more than 300 yards against them. Five opponents rushed for more than 200 yards. The line is anchored by senior All-C-USA selection DE Albert McClellan (6-2, 252). At linebacker, senior Mario Harvey (6-0, 244) returns after leading the team in tackles with 107 and sacks with 4.5. The secondary is more of a concern as they have a pair of sophomore corners returning in DeQuan Bembry and T.J. Drakeford who should improve. Bembry had 80 tackles last season and a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss.

Outlook: Marshall opens with Southern Illinois at home, but then faces Virginia Tech. They also take on Bowling Green at home and rival West Virginia on the road. This is a pretty tough schedule for a team that has issues at quarterback and a defense that should be better but is still far off the rest of the league.

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