The Florida Atlantic Owls (-3) and Marshall Thundering Herd will go toe-to-toe on the turf at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Kickoff for this big showdown is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET and FCBK has the TV rights.
Florida Atlantic Owls at Marshall Thundering Herd Betting Preview
In this Saturday Conference USA matchup, Florida Atlantic is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Owls are also receiving -155 moneyline odds while the Thundering Herd are +135. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 59.5 points. Multiple good in-game betting opportunities could be unveiled during this contest.
This game’s O/U has not moved after it was initially placed at 59.5. Having said that, the line opened at -1 and the early action has shifted toward the Owls.
The Owls are down 1.6 units so far and 1-5 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 4-1. The Thundering Herd are up 0.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-4 ATS and four of their games have gone over the total.
The Owls have gone 3-3 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against conference opponents. The Thundering Herd are 4-2 SU overall and 2-1 SU in conference play.
The Owls are looking to keep things going after a solid 52-33 victory over Old Dominion on October 6 where the defense allowed the Monarchs to pass for 390 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 118 yards and three scores. Travis Fulgham was unmatched for the Monarchs in that one with 151 yards and a score on 10 catches. On the offensive side of the ball, Chris Robison completed 21 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Singletary (168 yards on 19 rush attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Robison (34 yards on 11 carries, one TD) led the ground attack in the win. Jovon Durante (seven receptions, 111 yards) and Harrison Bryant (six catches, 133 yards, two TDs) handled the receiving duties.
The Marshall Thundering Herd are coming off of a 42-20 win over Old Dominion. The team’s defense allowed the Monarchs to rush for 106 yards on 31 attempts. Kesean Strong was a bright spot in the loss for Old Dominion, recording 52 rushing yards on 15 attempts, along with 47 yards and a score on four catches. For Marshall, Alex Thomson completed 18-of-29 passes for 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tyler King (195 rushing yards on 22 attempts, two TDs) and Anthony Anderson (91 yards on 14 carries, three TDs) handled the ground game in the win as Tyre Brady (nine receptions, 103 yards, one TD) and Marcel Williams (two catches, 21 yards) led the receiving attack.
Florida Atlantic has run the ball on 59.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Marshall has a rush percentage of 49.7 percent. The Owls have produced 237 rush yards per game (including 269 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 21 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Thundering Herd are logging 159 rush yards per game (214 in conference) and have 10 total rushing TDs.
The Owls offensive scheme has averaged 244 yards through the air overall (247 per game against conference opposition) and has seven passing TDs so far. The Thundering Herd have produced 244 pass yards per game (214.3 in the CUSA) and have 11 total pass scores.
Defensively, Florida Atlantic has allowed 190 rush yards and 278 pass yards per game. The Marshall defense has given up 276.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 103.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Thundering Herd are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.83 to opponents, while the Owls have given up an 8.35 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Robison has amassed 1,262 yards on the year, and has connected on 65 percent of his 151 attempts with seven scores through the air and five interceptions. He has a 7.37 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.97 over the last two games.
Alex Thomson has completed 18-of-29 passes for 182 yards, one TD and one INT for Marshall. His ANY/A sits at 5.07 for the year and 3.91 across his last two games.
These two schools faced off last year with the final outcome being a 30-25 win for Florida Atlantic.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Florida Atlantic Owls at Marshall Thundering Herd
SU Winner – Florida Atlantic, ATS Winner – Florida Atlantic, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Trends
The O/U for Florida Atlantic’s last game was set at 63.5. The over cashed in the team’s 52-33 victory over Old Dominion.
Florida Atlantic has averaged 5.9 yards per carry across its last three games and 5.7 over its last two.
Marshall has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over its last three outings and 5.4 over its past two.
Marshall has lost seven fumbles this season while Florida Atlantic has lost two.
In its last three games, Florida Atlantic is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Marshall’s last match was set at 56.5. The over cashed in that 42-20 triumph over Old Dominion.
Over its last three matchups, Marshall is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Owls offense has registered six pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Thundering Herd have put up three such plays.
The Florida Atlantic defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Marshall has given up four such plays.
The Florida Atlantic offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Marshall has created eight such runs.
The Owls defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Thundering Herd have given up zero such runs.
The Marshall D has sacked opposing QBs 20 times this season. Florida Atlantic has produced just seven sacks.
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