By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin

FIU is back on the gridiron Saturday when the Panthers take on one of the top teams in Conference USA this season: Marshall. The Thundering Herd is 6-1 after a forgettable 3-9 season last year.

Marshall has one of the best defenses in the conference, led by a front seven that is second in C-USA with 22 sacks. Marshall has the top scoring defense and the No. 2 total defense in the league.

Offensively, the Herd has a balanced attack with a pair of good running backs and a sound, veteran quarterback leading an efficient passing game.

FIU is 1-4 against Marshall all-time with the lone win coming last year at FIU Stadium. For more on the Herd, here is Grant Traylor, the Marshall beat writer for the Huntington Herald Dispatch, to answer 5 Questions on Marshall. You can follow Grant on Twitter for all Marshall things: @GrantTraylor.

    

1. What have been the reasons for the Herd's turnaround from 3-9 last season to 6-1 so far in 2017?

GT: There is one reason and one reason alone for the Herd's turnaround: commitment to team. Last year, there was a selfish, individualistic tone with everyone worried about statistics, playing time, etc., and it led to the team's demise. This season, players are enjoying each other's success and utilizing a "We, not me" mantra that has led them to become really close.

2. What makes the running back duo of Keion Davis and Tyler King so good? The Herd has a balanced offense with Chase Litton and the receivers having a good season but does Marshall rely on its backs to get its offense going?

GT: The overall balance of the offense is solid, especially with three redshirt freshmen as major contributors on the offensive line. Keion Davis is more the consistent back who gains 3-5 yards and will occasionally break one, but King is a wildcard that can break loose at any time. The two serve their roles well and complement each other within the rushing attack.

3. Marshall has some good lines up front. The Herd has given up the fewest sacks (3) in C-USA and are second in the league with 22 sacks by its defense. Is the strength of the Herd defense their defensive line or are the linebackers and/or the secondary the unit's playmakers?

GT: Marshall's front-seven is as talented as I've seen in 12 years of covering the team, and that includes the 2014 team that won a C-USA title. Ryan Bee is a leader at defensive tackle, but Channing Hames and Ty Tyler are also becoming forces on the front. The LB corps is strong with Miami transfer Juwon Young and former walk-on-turned-tackles leader Chase Hancock leading the way. Safety Malik Gant is also another young talent that flies up against the run.

4. Davis has a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns, including a 99-yarder, but how are the rest of the Herd's special teams?

GT: The leader of the special teams is kicker/punter/kickoff specialist Kaare Vedvik. The Norway native made national headlines two weeks ago with a 92-yard punt - the 7th-longest in FBS history - and he has owned all three phases to help the Herd to a decisive field position edge.

5. How do you see Saturday's game between FIU and Marshall playing out?

GT: Two years ago, FIU came in to Huntington and didn't get off to a good start, which led to a 52-0 loss for the Panthers. Huntington is a tough place to play & the Herd is rolling, so the FIU offense needs to get going early to stay in the contest.

The second quarter has been key for both teams - it is where Marshall has taken control in its five-game win streak and FIU has struggled in its losses. I see it again being huge in this one.

If FIU can get to the locker room with a tight game, they have to feel good. That is easier said than done in Huntington, though. Whoever wins the battle on third down - a strength of both teams - has the upper-hand on a big C-USA East win.