12.25.2009

On the Docket - Little Caeser’s Bowl: Marshall (6-6) vs. Ohio (9-4)

Synopsis: This is a reunion of a former MAC rivalry, ceasing after Marshall left for Conference USA a few years back. The Thundering Herd are without their head coach, Mark Snyder, who was fired at the end of the regular season. Marshall is led by running back Darius Marshall, who after serving a one-game suspension to start the season has had a fine year.

The Bobcats have become a prominent program (in MAC standards) since the hiring of former Nebraska coach Frank Solich. Solich has built the Ohio program from the ground up, and this year the Bobcats were the East Division champions. They lost to Central Michigan 20-10 in the conference championship game, but there is no doubt that Solich has this program moving in the right direction.

Player to watch: Theo Scott has made his only season as a starter at Ohio a memorable one, passing for 19 touchdowns and completing nearly 60% of his passes. Scott has accounted for 22 touchdowns altogether for the Bobcats. His best game came earlier in the season against Tennessee, when he threw for 319 yards and a touchdown in a 34-23 loss.

Who has the edge? Marshall is struggling down the stretch missing Darius Marshall and its other top playmaker, tight end Cody Slate, not to mention the firing of coach Snyder. Ohio is clearly a program on the upswing, while Marshall seems to have scrapped the foundation from within before the season has even concluded.

Prediction:

Ohio 24

Marshall 14

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