Don't ask me or anybody else to predict if Marshall's football team can overcome its 2016 collapse.
With five-plus months before the 2017 kickoff, the more pressing question to ask about the Thundering Herd: Who is going to play for this team?
Yeah, go ahead and draw up a two-deep here in late March. By the time the Herd tees it up Sept. 2 against Miami (Ohio), that might look like my NCAA tournament brackets.
Shoot, the program is still suffering attrition. Newest subtractions include Fred Binot, the eight-game starter at left tackle, and reserve tight end Kaleb Harris. Who will fall by the wayside during the summer? Who will show up in the summer?
It's way too early on those questions, as the Herd kicks off one of its more important spring sessions Tuesday. There are issues that might be sorted out in the next five weeks, though.
This time around, I won't ask which positions have the most intriguing battles. I expect coach Doc Holliday to tell you they're all open, and it won't be coachspeak.
Here, I rank the position-group battles from most intriguing and most pressing to the least, at least in my amateur analysis. Here goes:
n Wide receiver: To me, this was the Herd's most underachieving unit, making cornerbacks in Conference USA look faster than they really were. This was wide, wide open even before Michael Clark and Deon-Tay McManus departed for professional football. If they stuck around, they should have been second-stringers by the end of April.
Ex-Miami Hurricane Tyre Brady was the best receiver in practice last year, but was sitting out his transfer year. Ex-UCLA commitment Darius Owens and junior-college import Marcel Williams are here. Willie Johnson is back after a fracture in his leg - in my experience, most recoveries from fractures are complete (mine included).
Brandon Rodgers is back, Tramell Carey has moved from defensive back and Hyleck Foster returns after a season and a half in the backfield.
n Quarterback: Chase Litton vs. Xavier Gaines. Chase Litton vs. Garet Morrell. Chase Litton vs. Chase Litton.
Gaines came last year with a lot of athleticism, but was raw. Morrell played two full games, but operated on a short, short leash.
Todd Goebbel moved to quarterback coach, which could be good for Litton's mechanics. But from several accounts, Litton has to keep his helmet on straight and regain his teammates' confidence.
n Offensive line: Binot's unexpected departure leaves two starters back - guard Jordan Dowrey and center Levi Brown - plus injury-riddled reserve Nate Devers. A.J. Addison has started, and Alex Locklear played significant snaps in 2016.
This is the spring for redshirt freshmen Tarik Adams, Sean Behrens, Alex Mollette, Alex Salguero and Will Ulmer to show if they've grown from big boys to collegiate linemen. For the Herd to have eight ready to play in September, such development is vital.
n Linebacker: A lot of promising names, but not a distinguished unit. And the battles here will be framed against the backdrop of Jaquan Yulee, the most anticipated nonqualifier on defense since Mario Harvey and Vinny Curry.
Miami transfer Juwon Young and midyear juco transfer Donyae Moody will be the new faces of this crowded unit this spring.
n Defensive tackle: Nyquan Harris, Jason Smith and others must take the upper hand, for the most part, in full-contract drills and scrimmages. Remember, the O-line is under considerable construction.
n Damien Dozier: Considering his hybrid use last year, I'm just going to list him separately. Can he build on his flashes of brilliance last season? Will he be an end or strong-side linebacker? An end, if I'm guessing right, but what do I know?
n Cornerback: If all goes well at outside receiver, it will make Chris Jackson and Rodney Allen sharper. Kereon Merrell needs to make a quick impact, and Jaylon McClain-Sapp and others must develop. It's my observation that most teams are never deep enough at this position.
n Safety: C.J. Reavis had his second shoulder surgery in January, so you're not seeing him this spring. Assuming coaches use midyear juco Artis Johnson here and not at linebacker, it will be interesting to see how he fits in.
n Defensive end: Much will be expected of Ryan Bee and Blake Keller, but they can't play every snap. Who else, besides maybe Dozier?
n Tight end: Ryan Yurachek needs a backup/running mate, and juco Armani Levias wasn't brought in to sit. Also, Point Pleasant redshirt freshman Cody Mitchell gets his first true chance to make an impression.
n Kickers: Kaare Vedvik is a pretty good punter. Marshall was 4 for 10 on field goals, and Parade All-American placekicker Cole Phillips isn't coming until June. Wake me up then.
Contact Doug Smock at 304-348-5130 or dougsmock@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @dougsmock and read his blog at http://blogs.wvgazettemail.com/dougsmock/.