The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (+8) are set to face off against the Marshall Thundering Herd (-8) at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. This important CUSA showdown kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action on CBS Sports Network.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Betting Preview
In this Friday Conference USA game, Marshall has been tabbed as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 8 points. The Blue Raiders are also receiving +250 moneyline odds while the Thundering Herd are -330. Should one side catches a lucky break early, it will probably create a nice in-game betting scenario.
The line initially opened at -7 but has recently moved.
The Blue Raiders have gained 1.4 units so far and are 2-2 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 1-3. The Thundering Herd are up 1.0 unit this season. The team is 1-3 ATS and has an even O/U record of 2-2.
The Blue Raiders have gone 2-2 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against conference opponents. The Thundering Herd are 3-1 SU overall and are also 1-0 SU in conference play.
When these two programs faced each other a year ago, Marshall knocked Middle Tennessee off by four touchdowns 38-10.
The Blue Raiders enter after a 25-24 victory over Florida Atlantic last weekTheir defense allowed the Owls to rush for 272 yards on 55 attempts, including three rush TDs. Devin Singletary had a productive day for the Owls in that one with 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 34 attempts. Offensively, Brent Stockstill completed 27 passes for 259 yards, as well as one score and a pick. Stockstill (56 rushing yards on 14 attempts) also spearheaded the ground attack and was complemented by Tavares Thomas (30 yards on 12 carries, one TD). Ty Lee (six receptions, 62 yards) and Patrick Smith (five catches, 89 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Marshall just earned a 20-17 win over Western Kentucky. The Thundering Herd defensive secondary allowed the Hilltoppers to air it out for 263 yards. Jacquez Sloan had a productive showing in the loss, recording 87 yards on four catches for Western Kentucky. For Marshall, Isaiah Green completed 18-of-39 passes for 288 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Keion Davis (65 yards on 16 rush attempts) mounted the running game as Tyre Brady (eight receptions, 162 yards, two TDs) and Obi Obialo (four catches, 80 yards) led the receiving corps in the win.
Middle Tennessee’s run the ball on 50.0 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Marshall has a rush percentage of 43.4 percent. The Blue Raiders have rushed for 122 yards per game and have four touchdowns on the ground this year. The Thundering Herd are averaging 107 rush yards per game and have four total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then the Thundering Herd ought to have the more disruptive lines up front, as their offensive line has yielded just five sacks while the D-line has logged 12 sacks. The Blue Raiders offensive line has allowed 11 sacks and their defense has generated only eight sacks.
The Blue Raiders offense has averaged 244 yards through the air overall and has eight passing TDs so far. The Thundering Herd have recorded 277 pass yards per contest and also have eight total pass scores.
Middle Tennessee seems to possess the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s let opponents rush for an average of 203 yards and pass for 226 yards per game. The Marshall D has given up 261.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 103.0 yards per game on the ground. The Thundering Herd are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.83 to opposing QBs, while the Blue Raiders have allowed a 7.05 ANY/A.
Offensively, Stockstill is up to 844 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 76-of-110 attempts with seven passing scores and only two interceptions. He’s got a 6.99 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 4.89 over the past two games.
In the other huddle, Isaiah Green has connected on 65-of-115 passes for 838 yards, seven TDs and four INTs. Green’s ANY/A stands at 6.59 for the year and 4.64 across his past two outings.
RELATED: Week 6 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Marshall Thundering Herd
SU Winner – Marshall, ATS Winner – Marshall
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Marshall offense has lost five fumbles this season while Middle Tennessee has let four get away.
The Marshall defense has notched 12 sacks on the year while Middle Tennessee has eight.
Middle Tennessee has averaged 3.54285714285714 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.0 over its last two.
Marshall has averaged 3.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.0 over its last two.
In its last three matchups, Marshall is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Middle Tennessee was getting 3 points in its last game and the O/U going into it was 65. The under cashed and Middle Tennessee covered in the 25-24 win over Florida Atlantic.
In its last three matches, Middle Tennessee is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Marshall was the underdog by 4 points in its previous outing and the O/U was 51.5. The under cashed and Marshall covered in the team’s 20-17 triumph over Western Kentucky.
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