Marshall competed as a member of the East Division of Conference USA, and played their home games at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

[1] Before the season, Sports Illustrated ranked Marshall the 115th team in the FBS (out of 120) and predicted they would finish with a 1–11 record.

Against 11th-ranked Wisconsin, the Herd led 14–0 in the second quarter, but gave up 51 unanswered points in the remainder of the game.

Marshall held Rice quarterback Chase Clement to 84 passing yards in the first half, which was tied at 7, but went on to lose, 35–10.

In the season closer, they proved competitive for eventual Conference USA runners-up Tulsa.