Marshall Thundering Herd NCAA Football News

Sep 1, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Martin Ward is tackled by West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Isaiah Bruce and safety Karl Joseph in the first half at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Vinny Curry has every right to be worried right now, every right to be sucking down anti-depressants as if they were Jujyfruits.

Andy Bitter is the Virginia Tech football beat writer for The Virginian-Pilot. Andy joined The Pilot in October 2011 after spending three years covering Auburn for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Philadelphia Eagles have one of the best unknown players on their roster, just waiting to play.

The Herd could get off to a hot start in conference play and sneak into the top of the C-USA, battling East Carolina for the East Division title.

The added bulk on Vinny Curry's frame is discernible. His chest is all swolled. His arms stretch a few inches wider than last year.

The New England Patriots knocked out another deal with a drafted player, as seventh-round pass rusher Michael Buchanan agreed to a standard four-year rookie contract with the New England Patriots yesterday.

That came from noted college football prognosticator Phil Steele, a man who crunches numbers like an accountant with a Red Bull IV drip to determine which are the top teams entering each season.

Quarterback Rakeem Cato, wide receiver Tommy Shuler, tight end Gator Hoskins, center Chris Jasperse, defensive end Jeremiah Taylor, safety D.J. Hunter and punter Tyler Williams all made the first team.

When it comes to evaluating football players with an unbiased guy, there's one guy we always trust - Greg Cosell , the senior producer at NFL Films who spends his days locked away in the film vaults in New Jersey.

It's often said in the NFL that a player's biggest improvement takes place between his rookie season and his second year in the league.