— By Bill Cornwell
Marshall’s 2023 football team faces an uphill climb to claim a Sun Belt Conference East Division title, according to the league’s coaches.
The conference released its annual preseason coaches poll and awards Monday, and Marshall is projected to finish fourth in the Sun Belt East Division, behind favorite James Madison, Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina.
Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Old Dominion are picked to finish behind the Thundering Herd.
Marshall received two of 14 first-place votes in the coaches balloting and accumulated 68 points.
James Madison has 78 points and four first-place votes, while Appalachian State, which is also has four first-place votes, totaled 75 points. Coastal Carolina has three first-place votes and 71 points, while Georgia Southern received one first-place vote and 52 points to finish fifth in East Division voting.
Troy is picked to win the West Division as the Trojans edged out South Alabama in the coaches balloting.
The Trojans received 10 first-place votes and accumulated 92 points to the Jaguars’ four first-place votes and 85 points.
Third-year MU head coach Charles Huff says there is a lot of balance in the East Division, evidenced by all but two teams having at least one first-place vote and the Herd being only 10 points behind the Dukes.
“This goes to show how deep our league is and definitely how strong the East Division is,” Huff said. “I look forward to competing against all the teams in our conference.”
Marshall tied for the most Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team selections with four. Center Logan Osburn represents the offense on the preseason first team, while defensive end Owen Porter, linebacker Eli Neal and defensive back Micah Abraham give the Herd a trio of first-team defenders.
Marshall’s three defensive preseason all-league picks matched the three of Troy defenders.
Marshall running back Rasheen Ali and offensive lineman Ethan Driskell were each named to the Preseason All-SBC second team.
“I’m excited any time our guys get recognized for the hard work they’ve put in, and their on-field consistency,” Huff said. “With team success comes individual accolades.”
Coastal Carolina senior quarterback Grayson McCall is the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Old Dominion linebacker Jason Henderson got the nod as SBC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Huff, along with Porter and returning starting quarterback Cam Fancher, will meet the media in New Orleans on Wednesday.
2023 SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
East Division
1. James Madison – 78 Points (4)
2. App State – 75 Points (4)
3. Coastal Carolina – 71 Points (3)
4. Marshall – 68 Points (2)
5. Georgia Southern – 52 Points (1)
6. Georgia State – 31 Points
7. Old Dominion – 17 Points
West Division
1. Troy – 92 Points (10)
2. South Alabama – 85 Points (4)
3. Louisiana – 64 Points
4. Southern Miss – 62 Points
5. Texas State – 36 Points
6. Arkansas State – 33 Points
7. ULM – 20 Points