HUNTINGTON -- Some odd conversations took place at recent Marshall University football practices.

In the same back-and-forth interviews, players spoke both of "worst loss ever" and looking forward to earning a bowl bid. The Thundering Herd, coming off a confounding setback at UCF, since has set its sights on Southern Miss and securing a needed sixth victory.

Win No. 6 would secure bowl eligibility. A seventh victory, under Conference USA bowl agreements, would assure a bowl bid.

Marshall (5-4, 3-2 C-USA) hosts East Division rival Southern Miss (5-4, 3-2) Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Kickoff is 4:30 p.m.

Despite boasting a winning record with three regular season games remaining, a malaise hovered immediately following the UCF setback. It didn't take long, however, to shake the hangover and return to work, evidenced by last week's workouts.

"Right after the game, that's the worst the locker room's ever been," Thundering Herd tight end and team captain Cody Slate said. "You couldn't really talk to anybody.

"But (this week) everything's been very positive. I haven't been to a bowl, so that's a goal I would love to accomplish."

A disruptive Edwards Stadium crowd certainly would aid that cause. Attendance is under the microscope, particularly after a sub-par showing of 18,878 in Marshall's most recent home game, a 20-point victory over UAB.

The Thundering Herd is 3-1 at Edwards Stadium this season, averaging 23,183 fans a game.

"It would be a shame if fans weren't upset (after the UCF game)," Marshall ticket manager Aaron Goebbel said. "It would mean they're not passionate.

"But after a couple of days you get perspective. If there was any time to show up and support the team, it's November 14th."

Marshall tight end Lee Smith, also a team captain, echoed the theme, accentuating opportunity a few days removed from last week's loss.

"We have three games left on our schedule and we can be 8-4," Smith said. "We win these games and we're 8-4. It would be the best season since I've been here, since (Marshall head) coach (Mark) Snyder's been here.

"And that's our goal right now -- get this bad taste out of our mouths and get these last three wins."

Long term, Marshall officials are addressing attendance in part through scheduling. West Virginia again will visit Huntington, next season, virtually assuring a season ticket sales spike, and a home-and-away series recently was signed with Louisville.

"We're going to try to bring in one BCS school every year," Marshall athletic director Mike Hamrick said. "But our program has to get to the point where fans come to see us play, not who we're playing.

"What you want to see is our team and that's Marshall. You can't depend on the opponent (to draw fans). Obviously it helps to have a good opponent, but where our program needs to be is when your fans, Marshall supporters, come to see your team."

AP Video