This blog post is rated “A” for “All the Marbles.”
How long has it been since either team has been in that position?
11 — Years since Marshall has won an outright conference title, the 2002 MAC crown.
56 — Years since Rice won an outright conference title, the 1957 Southwest Conference championship.
Now let’s look back at last season’s game …
2 — Overtimes it took for Marshall to beat Rice in Houston.
105 — Points scored in that game, 54 for the Herd and 51 for the Owls.
1,240 — Yards gained in that game, 593 for the Herd and 647 for the Owls.
65 — First downs gained in that game, 31 for the Herd and 34 for the Owls.
Here’s what’s changed since then …
63, 42 — Spots in the FBS rankings from 2012 to 2013 Rice has jumped in total defense and scoring defense, respectively.
71, 97 — Spots in the FBS rankings from 2012 to 2013 Marshall has jumped in total defense and scoring defense, respectively.
Here’s something Rice won’t like to see …
53.8 — Points per game Marshall’s offense has averaged in the last five games, all wins.
19 — Touchdowns that Herd quarterback Rakeem Cato threw in those games against just two interceptions.
Here’s something Marshall won’t like to see …
247.0 — Average yards per game Marshall has allowed versus FAU, Middle Tennessee, UAB and Tulsa, teams that have what could be considered power running games.
239.5 — Rice’s average rushing yards per game, 17th best in the FBS.
235 — Pounds on Rice RB Charles Ross’ 6-foot-1 frame.
And finally …
2 — As in “ESPN2,” which is where Herd fans can watch the game Saturday at noon. Obviously, those folks would have loved to attend the game in Huntington, but C-USA’s math dashed their hopes. And that’s a Numberosity I’ll leave up to all of you.
You a line.
1 – For where Marshall will rank in CUSA when the final second ticks off that clock.