Marshall vs. Ohio: Herd Will Prevail in the Battle for the Bell

Saturday's game between Marshall and Ohio University will be a battle. However, coach Doc Holliday has the Herd primed and ready to ring the bell this year.

Last year, the Bobcats shredded the Herd 44-7. With the assistance of six Marshall turnovers and a freshman quarterback that wasn't ready for prime time, the Herd fell apart in the first half and were dominated.

However, there is no future in the past. That was then and this is now.

Marshall took a beating against WVU in a game they should not have opened with, but learned from the experience.

Sophomore quarterback  Rakeem Cato and company were completely outclassed for three quarters, but fought hard until the end of the game. They played WVU to a 14-14 tie in the fourth quarter, and Cato racked up some very impressive numbers.

He also showed something he did not have against Ohio last year: poise, maturity and confidence in his ability.

Another Marshall weapon is talented senior receiver Aaron Dobson, who is also having an outstanding year.

Any frustrations suffered against the Mountaineers were taken out on Western Carolina in Saturday's 52-24 victory. The Herd gained over 600 total yards in the romp. Cato and company are raring to go, and it seems that The Doc has healed their problems.

Defeating the Bobcats, however, will not come easy. After 10 wins last year, including a bowl victory over Utah State, Ohio University is on a roll.

They opened up with a 24-14 defeat of demoralized Penn State, and followed that last week by demolishing New Mexico State 51-24.

The Bobcats are poised to break into the top 25. Head Coach Frank Solich has a good team, led by quarterback Tyler Tettleton, a 6'0", 200-pound junior.

Tettleton has completed 46 of 64 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns, and has rushed for two more scores. Tettleton is elusive, having been sacked only twice on the season.

His favorite target so far is sophomore receiver Donte Foster. Foster, a 6'1", 193-pound redshirt junior, has 10 catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns through two games for the Bobcats.

Leading the Bobcats in rushing is Beau Blankenship, a 5'9", 202-pound junior. Blankenship has rushed for 277 yards on 58 carries with two touchdowns. He has also added seven catches for 72 yards.

The Bobcats are bringing a good team into Huntington Saturday. Just not good enough.

Prediction: Marshall over Ohio, 38-28

What do you think? Comments and predictions welcome!