Marshall: 2026 Week 7 recap

Marshall sits at 3–2 with a rating of −12.5 (rank 115) after a 45–17 loss to James Madison in Week 5 that exposed significant offensive limitations. The Thundering Herd's rating has held flat week-to-week, suggesting the model views the performance as consistent with prior expectations rather than a step backward—but that's cold comfort given the 28-point margin. Red-zone efficiency is the most glaring problem: an 11% touchdown rate in the scoring area tells you Marshall is leaving points on the field in critical moments, compounded by a 34% third-down conversion rate that stalls drives before they get there. GIE projects 7.1 expected wins for the season and gives Marshall virtually no path to the playoffs (0%). Coastal Carolina visits this week, offering a chance to reset momentum at home.