HUNTINGTON - Marshall resumes its 2017 football odyssey this week, taking on its second "Power 6" opponent in Cincinnati.
Just wanted to see if you're awake.
And I want to reemphasize the American Athletic Conference's dream of joining the "haves" in the wild world of college football. The 12 schools aren't fooling around, either - the Bearcats may be sporting "P6" stickers on their helmets, and a special "P6" helmet was displayed during its media day.
But do Cincinnati and its 11 brethren schools really belong with the big boys? I waver between supporting and mocking the idea.
Then again, Rutgers is somehow in the Big Ten, so why shouldn't the AAC be promoted?
(Side questions: What is the mechanism for bringing in a new league to the "Power 5"? Is there a secret ritual ceremony with sacred oaths, etc.?)
The league consists of nine former Conference USA members, seven who were Marshall's league rivals from 2005-12. You could call it Conference USA 1.0, the league MU officials truly eyeballed when the school rose to Division I-A in 1997.
Its formation was comical, if you remember the Big East's momentary football expansion to, what? About 40 schools from sea to shining sea? I doubled over laughing when the basketball schools took their ball and the league name and ran for the exits. The AAC enjoyed one season in the old Bowl Championship series, then was exiled to the "Group of 5."
But don't weep for the American, for it seems to be in fine shape these days.
When Marshall fans enter the 102-year-old Nippert Stadium for the 7 p.m. contest Saturday, it won't be the same place they saw in 2007 when the Bearcats downed the Thundering Herd 40-14.
Using $86 million in private funds, the school closed the stadium for the 2014 season and got busy. Capacity was expanded from about 35,000 to 40,000, concourses were widened and a new building with sky boxes and greatly improved press areas was added.
From what I can see, the old-school charm has been retained. I love the way the stadium is plugged into UC's uniquely urban campus.
Similar improvements have been made at the other AAC campuses. Some came during their time in C-USA - Marshall played twice at Central Florida's disturbingly bouncy venue and once at Tulsa's splendidly overhauled Chapman Stadium.
Since leaving C-USA, Houston built a new place and escaped its Robertson Stadium dungeon, and Tulane built a new stadium and left the Superdome.
On the field in 2016, the AAC's 7-15 record against "Power 5" schools included Houston beating Oklahoma. Against other Group of 5 schools, the AAC was 11-1 in the regular season but 1-4 in bowl games.
The latter number makes me snicker. And get this: The new-and-not-so-improved version of Conference USA is 5-1 over the American in bowl games, including Marshall's 2015 win over Connecticut in St. Petersburg.
Does that matter? You're darned straight it does!
If the AAC wants a promotion, it needs to dominate the other "Group of 5" leagues in the regular season and postseason, regardless of matchups. Its fourth-best team should be able to beat champs from the other four leagues more often than not.
But truthfully, that league has earned its spot at the front of the G-5 class. That makes this an important game for Marshall, who needs to schedule and defeat AAC teams.
Who knows? The Herd's stature in the next conference realignment may ride on it.
nnn
Count me among those fully supporting the "take a knee" protest Sunday by NFL players, coaches and even an owner. Some players kneeled, while others locked arms or even stayed in the locker room during the national anthem.
When Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the anthem in August 2016, I didn't flinch. This is a country founded on dissent, for which many generations have fought to preserve. He had a cause he deeply believed in.
Besides, Kaepernick's protest was benign. He didn't turn his back on the flag. He didn't burn the flag. He didn't scream at anybody and he didn't threaten anybody, physically or otherwise. (The "pig socks" he wore to practice are a bit out of bounds, though.)
Alas, people these days get hysterical over matters much more trivial, and it doesn't help that we elected Donald Trump as president. I'll say this, though: Trump united the NFL and NFL Players Association, which isn't easy.
As for Kaepernick's exile from the sport, the 32 NFL owners have every right, barring acts of collusion, to not employ him.
Just don't try to tell me he wouldn't start for the Cleveland Browns.
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.