To answer my own question - Since coming into D1A around 10 years ago, Marshall has been a home dog only twice. 6.5 to W. Mich and 2 to Miami Oh - They won outright both times. Has always been one of the tougher venues in the Mac while they were there and I think this is a tad too many points.
TANG said:
i think you just answered this question
TV!
when ESPN comes to you - if you are a school that craves being on National TV - and says, "If you play this game @ 3A we will televise it" the school will usually respond by saying, "Guess we better get some more Coffee for those at the game"
schools have STARTED basketball games at MIDNIGHT (EDT) because ESPN came to them and said, "If you play the game at this time we will show it live"
the ONE thing i will NEVER forget about ESPN is the day i was in the office of a VERY high up at espn - in the programming department. we were looking over the post-season NIT sked - back in the days when there wasn't a bracket but you found out who you would play next only AFTER you won your game.
we are looking over the draw and he is talking about that round and the next one and he is saying how if ceratin teams win that would make a great matchup to be shown on ESPN
NEVER underestimate how much power TV has when dealing with college athletics when dealing with "smaller schools"
if ESPN/Fox/wheoever says to a small school (Non-Football BCS for the most part) "Jump" the only response from the schools will be "How High"
ESPN told Marshall when to "jump" and Marshall decided to "jump" at that time. if they didn't - this game starts at a "normal" time and is NOT on ESPN.
