Marshall vs. Middle Tennessee Pick
Can Marshall handle being a road favorite when it takes on Middle Tennessee later tonight at 7PM ET. Here’s our take on the game.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Marshall is favored on the road, as the Thundering Herd is getting odds of -1.5 points against the Blue Raiders. The over/under total for the game has been set at 49.5 points. The home team has won the last six in this series, covering the spread in all six games. The public is currently putting 80 percent of the wagers on Marshall on the road. Tonight’s game takes place from Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The contest will air live on ESPN2.
Middle Tennessee is coming off a 25-23 loss at UAB this past weekend to fall to 3-4 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. The Raiders are 3-4 against the spread this season and 2-1 ATS at home. MTSU hasn’t had much of an offense, averaging just 20.4 points and 373.6 yards per game. Brent Stockstill injured his collarbone and sternum early in the season and has been replaced at QB by John Urzua. He has thrown for 1,302 yards with six touchdowns, but also has eight interceptions. Ty Lee is the leading receiver with 39 catches for 436 yards while Brad Anderson is the leading rusher with 367 yards. The Middle Tennessee defense has been better than the offense, as the Raiders allow just 25.4 points and 354.4 yards per contest.
Marshall is riding a four-game win streak entering Friday’s game following a 35-3 win over Old Dominion last week. The Herd are now 5-1 overall, 2-0 in conference play and 5-1 against the spread. The Herd are 2-1 ATS on the road. Marshall has been one of the better defensive teams in the country thus far, allowing just 15 points and 321.8 yards per game. Offensively, Marshall is putting up 26.5 points and 373.3 yards per contest. Chase Litton has thrown for 1,382 yards and 13 touchdowns to lead the offense while Tyre Brady has 34 receptions for 571 yards and six scores. Kelon Davis adds 393 rushing yards with a touchdown.
Bet on Marshall vs. Middle Tennessee
This should be a competitive battle, as both defenses will be able to pose a strong challenge to their opposing offense. The road team hasn’t had success in this series, failing to cover in the last four. Marshall also is just 3-8 against the spread in its last 11 conference games and 2-5 ATS in its last seven against losing teams. The Herd as a road favorite isn’t something I feel good about betting on.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MIDDLE TENNESSEE +1.5