CHARLOTTE, N.C. - One could make the case that Marshall's second-half problems are overblown.
After all, the Thundering Herd has scored the first points after halftime in eight of nine games this season. Kent State is the only opponent to score first.
In five games of Conference USA play, Marshall is outscoring opponents 50-31 in the second half, a misleading figure that includes three meaningless touchdowns. Charlotte scored one with 6:08 left Saturday, and drove to the Marshall 11-yard line late.
But let's not kid ourselves. This Marshall team, at least offensively, is falling flat after halftime. Victories have been assured, but they've come with the satisfaction level of barely chilled skim milk.
Is the Herd playing down to the level of its competition, losing focus, easing up on the gas pedal, or some combination thereof?
There's no doubt about the level of competition - with the exception of Southern Mississippi, the Herd has played teams that won't play in a bowl game.
Those are Old Dominion, Florida Atlantic, North Texas and Charlotte. They are a combined 4-15 in league play, even with FAU and NT winning Saturday.
The Southern Miss game, a 31-10 victory, should be accorded full respect. The Golden Eagles remain tied for the West Division lead, setting them up for a major collision with co-leader Louisiana Tech on the season's final weekend. Nick Mullens continues to be the league's No. 2 passer.
That was a game that the Herd did indeed step on the opponent's throat. Leading 17-10 at the half, Deandre Reaves broke the game open with a 61-yard catch and run, and defensive tackle Jarquez Samuel scored on a fumble recovery and 3-yard dive.
The fourth quarter went scoreless, which was a testament to MU's defense. The Eagles were stopped at the MU 3-yard line, then turned over twice.
That Herd defense has been so good in the second half recently, it is a given. The offense, not so much.
Has that offense coasted after taking halftime leads of 24-3 and 31-3 the last two weeks? You can make that case, but players and coaches would disagree.
"We've just got to finish," Herd quarterback Chase Litton said.
"In the second half, we were in [the red zone] four or five times, ended up scoring three points. We can't do that. Defense put us in situations to succeed."
Yes, it did. Charlotte's second-half drive chart started with a punt, fumble, punt and interception. On consecutive possessions, the Herd started at the Charlotte 24 and the 50.
And scored only three points.
The short-field drive was aborted early, by 15-yard penalty for a chop block, accepted instead of a 6-yard sack. On its next possession, the Herd had a 13-yard Litton-to-Reaves touchdown wiped out when tackle Sandley Jean-Felix was flagged 15 yards for illegal use of his big, big hands.
After Nick Smith kicked his 39-yard field goal, Corey Tindal intercepted struggling Charlotte QB Lee McNeill to give MU the ball at its 45 with 12:46 left. But it was time to give the starters the rest of the evening off, and Michael Birdsong relieved Litton.
I'm not sure Marshall was "easing off the gas" the last two weeks. In the not-that-close 30-13 win over North Texas, the Herd pulled a successful fake punt with a 27-6 lead, yet settled for a field goal. Later, the Herd went for it on fourth-and-3 from the NT 7 and didn't make it.
So, no, I don't think this team is coasting. Let me restate that: The Herd is not intending to coast. There's that difference, which is tough to define.
For MU fans, it has been tough to watch.
But here's the thing: The Herd might not get a chance to coast the rest of the season.
Marshall has to turn around this weekend and head to Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders (2-2 C-USA) may be 3-5, but that has come against a tough schedule.
They have an explosive offense with freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill, had last week off and will play with a high level of desperation.
The Herd will then play at home against Florida International, with improved quarterback Alex McGough. The Panthers are 4-5 (2-3 C-USA) after being upset by FAU, but have not been blown out.
After that, it's the Black Friday grudge match at Western Kentucky.
Marshall's defense hasn't given up a meaningful touchdown in two games in a row, but don't expect that again. The Herd offense must cut out the dumb, dumb penalties, cash in on its red-zone trips and keep its focus for all four quarters.
Injury-related shuffles along the offensive line have played a factor - this time around, Fred Binot saw his first game-on-the-line snaps in relief of A.J. Addison at right tackle. (And remember, Clint Van Horn has had a long-term injury.)
But opposing defenses don't care.
The Blue Raiders surely won't, so there is much to fix and fine-tune in the MU camp this week.
Then again, the Herd is 8-1. I'm still remembering a 1-8 start not long ago.
"It's a hell of a lot better when you win, I know that," said MU coach Doc Holliday. "When you win games like that, you can be a lot harder on kids, really coach them hard and get after them and hold them accountable, which we do anyway.
"As long as you're winning, that's all that matters. I've never felt that losing a game helps in any way, shape or form. Winning gives you confidence, and we've got to keep it going. We've got a great challenge this week."