Breaking down the Little Ceasars Bowl between Marshall (6-6) and Ohio (9-4).
WHO TO WATCH: Darius Marshall, RB, Marshall
Marshall missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain, but interim head coach Rick Minter said Marshall has looked good during the practices in Huntington, W.V., and should be 100 percent for the Little Caesars Bowl. Marshall rushed for 1,054 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Ohio has struggled against the run this year, averaging 150.92 yards per game.
WHAT TO WATCH: Ohio’s special teams
Punt returner LaVon Brazill, who played sparingly in the Mid-American Conference Championship, said he’s 100 percent and ready for the bowl game. Brazill is one of the most dangerous returners in the country. He averages 15.04 yards per return, and has returned three punts for touchdowns, more than any other player in the country.
WHY TO WATCH: Ohio looks to make history
Honestly, this bowl game could be a dud with Marshall playing with a lame duck interim staff. Ohio, on the other hand, is looking for its second 10-win season in its history as an FBS team. The Bobcats last won 10 games in 1968. It’s a dramatic turnaround from winning four games a year ago.
PREDICTION: This might be one of the most lackluster bowls this season, and that's mostly because no one knows whether the Thundering Herd will show up. Marshall coach Mark Snyder resigned at the end of the season, and the Herd's interim coach might not be retained. On the other hand, Ohio has been on a tear during the second half of the season. Despite losing the Mid-American Conference championship game, Ohio dominated most of their schedule and should do the same against Marshall. It’s hard to judge whether a team with a lame duck interim coaching will be motivated to play especially since several Marshall players were stunned when Snyder resigned. However, Ohio has a lot to play for and they’ll be up for their second consecutive game at Ford Field. Ohio takes it 35-10.
WHO TO WATCH: Darius Marshall, RB, Marshall
Marshall missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain, but interim head coach Rick Minter said Marshall has looked good during the practices in Huntington, W.V., and should be 100 percent for the Little Caesars Bowl. Marshall rushed for 1,054 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Ohio has struggled against the run this year, averaging 150.92 yards per game.
WHAT TO WATCH: Ohio’s special teams
Punt returner LaVon Brazill, who played sparingly in the Mid-American Conference Championship, said he’s 100 percent and ready for the bowl game. Brazill is one of the most dangerous returners in the country. He averages 15.04 yards per return, and has returned three punts for touchdowns, more than any other player in the country.
WHY TO WATCH: Ohio looks to make history
Honestly, this bowl game could be a dud with Marshall playing with a lame duck interim staff. Ohio, on the other hand, is looking for its second 10-win season in its history as an FBS team. The Bobcats last won 10 games in 1968. It’s a dramatic turnaround from winning four games a year ago.
PREDICTION: This might be one of the most lackluster bowls this season, and that's mostly because no one knows whether the Thundering Herd will show up. Marshall coach Mark Snyder resigned at the end of the season, and the Herd's interim coach might not be retained. On the other hand, Ohio has been on a tear during the second half of the season. Despite losing the Mid-American Conference championship game, Ohio dominated most of their schedule and should do the same against Marshall. It’s hard to judge whether a team with a lame duck interim coaching will be motivated to play especially since several Marshall players were stunned when Snyder resigned. However, Ohio has a lot to play for and they’ll be up for their second consecutive game at Ford Field. Ohio takes it 35-10.
Graham Watson | email
College FootballWatson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She also covered college football recruiting for the Dallas Morning News.
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