HUNTINGTON -- This Saturday, Marshall University football coaches and players will be taking a day off from game action because of the Thundering Herd's bye week.

Marshall's coaching staff will be fully tuned in when Southern Miss (0-5, 0-1 Conference USA) takes on UCF (3-2, 1-0) at 7 p.m., Saturday, in Orlando and televised on the CBS Sports Network.

The game involves a pair of C-USA East Division rivals while also representing Marshall's next two opponents on the schedule.

Marshall (2-4, 1-1) plays Oct. 20 at Southern Miss and Oct. 27 against UCF in Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

Thundering Herd head coach Doc Holliday said the team will not convene to watch the game. Players have Saturday off before getting back into game-week mode Sunday with film study.

"Saturday will be theirs and we'll work as a staff, then we'll get back in there Sunday and work on that bunch (Southern Miss)," Marshall football coach Doc Holliday said. "I'm sure the coaches will be watching it."

As Marshall players get set for their final off day prior to the stretch run of the season, the Herd's focus shifts sharply to its pursuit of the C-USA East Division title.

Out of Marshall's final six games, five are against East Division foes. The Herd has yet to take on an East Division team in conference meaning the C-USA championship will still be played out on the field.

"I think we still have a good chance of winning the C-USA championship, so that's still our goal," Marshall cornerback Derrick Thomas said. "All our goals that we've had since the beginning of the season are still there, so we are still working toward that."

Other C-USA teams in action Saturday are UAB at Houston, SMU at Tulane, Memphis at East Carolina and a non-league matchup of UTSA at Rice.

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