As Ive said before, I am disappointed in the Boca Raton Bowl vs NIU. But let me clarify a few things. Marshalls AD, Mike Hamrick DID choose the best option available. A 11-2 NIU team is a better opponent than a 6-6 Illinois team. And the location is better (FL vs TX) for our fan base and recruiting. However, in the midst of all the recent conference realignment, I was unaware of the C-USA bowl tie-in changes, which in my opinion are now terrible. Awful. Heres the last six C-USA champions & the bowl opponent they played: 2013 - Rice 7 vs Mississippi State 44 (SEC) 2012 - Tulsa 31 vs Iowa State 17 (B12) 2011 - Southern Miss 24 vs Nevada 17 (MWC) 2010 - UCF 10 vs Georgia 6 (SEC) 2009 - ECU 17 vs Arkansas 20 (SEC) 2008 - ECU 19 vs Kentucky 25 (SEC) Expectation leads to disappointment! But if youre angry with the MU administration not being able to get us a better bowl game, then you are not knowledgable of how the bowl selection process works. I just wanted Marshall to have the opportunity to play a good opponent from a power five conference in a bowl game. And that option just wasnt on the table, which is absolutely crazy to me. For any team, in any conference, to have only 1-loss which was by 1 point in OT ... That is the definition of an amazing season. Now that I live in Parkersburg (outside the Huntington bubble), as a Marshall fan I am definitely in the minority. But I proudly display my Marshall fandom. And the number one gripe vs Marshall this year has been our strength of schedule. And Im just not sure playing a great (& also disrespected conference champion) Northern Illinois team will silence any of the critics. And to all the people who are saying real fans wouldnt complain or just be a fan & support the team. Well to those people ... shut up. I purchased two season tickets this year, traveled to Akron, and went to the conference championship game. For me, thats over 30 hours of driving time. I sat through the rain three times this year to cheer on the Herd. The true or real fan argument is bad. Dont go there. Lastly, obviously I hope Marshall plays a great game on Dec 23rd to get another bowl win & our 13th win this season. I really would like to see Cato, Shuler & the rest of the seniors to end their college careers on a high note. During my years in college (2003-2006 seasons) the best record we had was 8-4 & the worst being 4-7. Ill take a 12-1 record any day. Always & forever, Go Herd.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:54:32 +0000
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