Herdnation.com's bold predictions and quick takes for 2017

*** Kaare Vedvik will lead Conference USA in kicking and punting. Everyone was aware of Vedvik's success as a punter, but his ascension to the starting kicker is nothing short of a miracle. Vedvik will close out the season with double-digit field goals made and average 45-plus yards in punting. ~Josh Stowers

*** Ty're Brady will be Marshall's first "outside" receiver since Josh Davis (2002) to surpass 1,000 yards. Brady's work ethic and natural ability are the perfect combination to light up Conference USA secondaries. Armed with the size, speed, and route running of a seasoned veteran, Brady will break out in 2017. ~Josh Stowers

*** Marshall will go 3-1 in non-conference play. Everything hinges on this weekend's game against Miami, which I expect to be a very tough one for the Herd. If Marshall can squeak out a win the schedule sets up nicely for MU. Cincinnati at Nippert will be a challenge but UC struggled last year and will be breaking in a new head coach in Luke Fickell. That game is doable. Of course, if Marshall loses to Miami to open the season things could fall apart quickly and 1-3 would be in play. ~ Chris McLaughlin

*** Marshall will cut their penalty yardage from 2016 by a third in 2017. Last season Marshall averaged 76.8 yards/game (13th in the league) in penalties. This year, Marshall will average less than 50 yards/game, a number that would've ranked 6th in C-USA in 2016. *** La Tech ranked 1st in C-USA last season with 44 sacks. Look for Marshall to equal or surpass that number in 2017. A much more athletic defensive front paired with a far more experienced secondary will allow for defensive coordinator Chuck Heater to turn up the pressure. Don't be shocked to see a linebacker lead the team in sacks. ~Josh Stowers

*** Willie Johnson will flash and surprise. Ty're Brady gets all of the buzz among the WR unit (for good reason) but Willie Johnson has quietly had a solid camp and looks to be fully back to health after a severe leg injury early last year. With defenses looking to minimize the impact Brady and TE Ryan Yurachek have on the passing game, Johnson could fit himself in 1-1 situations often. Look for him to take advantage. ~ Chris McLaughlin

*** Marshall's rushing attack only totaled 12 touchdowns last season. The additions of Trey Rodriguez, Tyler King, and Brenden Knox along with healthy a Keion Davis, Anthony Anderson, and Tony Pittman will no less than double that number (24). Look for two players to finish with double-digit touchdowns on the ground. ~Josh Stowers

***Brandon Drayton will remain a starter at safety all year. Some MU fans were surprised when the initial two-deep for the Miami game had the R-FR Drayton starting over senior Kendall Gant, but those who have been at practice were not shocked at all. Gant has been steady in defensive Chuck Heater's defense but has failed to show the game-changing ability many predicted when he signed with the Herd four years ago. Drayton, although to be fair has only done it in practice, shows a knack for the ball and may be just what the Marshall defense needs on the back-end to return to pre-2016 form. ~ Chris McLaughlin

*** Marshall gets the yards per carry back up over 4, led by 750 yards from Trey Rodriguez.

*** Chase Litton throws 30 TD passes, with 9 or 10 each for Tyre Brady and Ryan Yurachek.

*** Marcel Williams leads the team in number of receptions.

*** More passes are thrown to running backs – at least a total of 40.

*** Sacks allowed drop from last year’s 28 down to about 20.

*** Awards: Tarik Adams makes C-USA’s All-Freshman team. Litton, Brady and Marcel Williams make somebody’s All C-USA team.

~ Dick Ash

*** Chase Hancock leads the team in tackles.

*** Artis Johnson is in the top 3 in tackles.

*** Juwon Young finishes in the top 5 tacklers despite missing the first four games.

*** Frankie Hernandez stays healthy and leads the team in tackles-for-loss for the second year in a row.

*** C.J. Reavis is also among the top 5 tacklers. Marshall finishes at or near 2014’s 38 total sacks.

*** Awards: Brandon Drayton and Jaquan Yulee make C-USA’s All-Freshman team. Hancock, Young, Reavis, Artis Johnson, Ryan Bee and Chris Jackson make somebody’s All C-USA team.

~ Dick Ash

6-6

Miami (OH) - W

@ NC State - L

Kent State - W

@ Cincy - L

@ Charlotte - W

ODU - W

@ MTSU - L

FIU - W

@ FAU - W

WKU - L

@ UTSA - L

S. Miss - L
~ Dick Ash

7-5

Miami (OH) - W

@ NC State - L

Kent State - W

@ Cincy - W

@ Charlotte - W

ODU - W

@ MTSU - L

FIU - W

@ FAU - L

WKU - W

@ UTSA - L

S. Miss - L
~Josh Stowers

7-5

Miami (OH) - W

@ NC State - L

Kent State - W

@ Cincy - W

@ Charlotte - W

ODU - W

@ MTSU - L

FIU - W

@ FAU - L

WKU - L

@ UTSA - L

S. Miss - W
~Chris McLaughlin