Two schools that prefer to mix in a lot of running plays, Head Coach Justin Fuente and the No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies (-5) are set to face off against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. The afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET and ACC Network will broadcast the action.
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Preview
In this Saturday game, Virginia Tech has been projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 5 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline bettors would currently need to spend $200 to win $100 back on the Hokies (-200). The Thundering Herd are getting +170 moneyline odds. Some good in-game betting opportunities could be unveiled during this contest, and oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 53 points.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this season as the Thundering Herd have gained 2.1 units and the Hokies are up 2.0 units.
The Thundering Herd have gone 8-3 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Hokies are 5-6 SU.
The Thundering Herd just got a 28-25 win over FIU last week where Isaiah Green completed 18 passes for only 176 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Brenden Knox (109 rushing yards on 19 attempts) mounted the running attack in the win while Tyre Brady (five receptions, 45 yards, two TDs) and Willie Johnson (three catches, 25 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Virginia Tech just earned a 34-31 win over Virginia. The defense let the Cavaliers run for 164 yards on 38 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Joe Reed had a productive outing in the loss, recording 119 yards and two touchdowns on four catches for Virginia. For Virginia Tech, Ryan Willis completed 14-of-33 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Steven Peoples (96 rushing yards on 19 attempts) and the signal-caller Willis (41 yards on 11 carries) spearheaded the ground attack in the win while Tre Turner (four receptions, 69 yards, one TD) and Hezekiah Grimsley (three catches, 31 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Marshall’s run the ball on 51.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Virginia Tech has an overall rush percentage of 54.0 percent. The Thundering Herd have rushed for 149 yards per game and have 15 scores via handoffs this year. The Hokies are putting up 173 rushing yards per game and have 16 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then the Thundering Herd ought to have the edge when it comes to quarterback protection, as their offensive line has allowed just 11 sacks while their D-line logged 32 sacks. The Hokies offensive line has allowed 23 sacks and their defense has logged only 32 sacks.
The Thundering Herd offense has tallied 229 yards/game through the air overall and has 19 passing scores so far. The Hokies have recorded 252 pass yards per game and have 23 total pass TDs.
Marshall has let opponents run for an average of 100 yards and pass for 224 yards per game. The Virginia Tech defense has given up 231.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 204.2 yards per game to opposing runners. The Thundering Herd are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.41 to opponents, while the Hokies have given up a 7.17 ANY/A.
Offensively, Green is up to 1,631 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has completed 132-of-235 attempts with 12 passing scores and nine interceptions. He has a 5.92 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.53 over the last two games.
Ryan Willis has managed to complete 157-of-271 passes for 1,969 yards, 17 TDs and six INTs for Virginia Tech. His ANY/A stands at 6.83 for the season and 3.16 over his last two games.
RELATED: Week 14 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Marshall Thundering Herd at Virginia Tech Hokies
SU Winner – Virginia Tech, ATS Winner – Virginia Tech, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Marshall defense has sacked opposing QBs 36 times this year. Virginia Tech has recorded just 23 sacks.
The Virginia Tech offense has lost five fumbles this season while the Marshall offense has lost 10.
Each team has produced eight pass plays of 40+ yards. The Thundering Herd have have made 20 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Hokies have created 14 such plays.
The Marshall defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Virginia Tech has given up 10 such plays.
The Marshall offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Virginia Tech has created 19 such runs.
The Thundering Herd defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Hokies have given up 23 such runs.
Marshall has won six of its last seven games SU, with a November 3rd defeat to Southern Miss accounting for the only loss over that span.
Marshall has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its past three contests and 3.9 over its last two.
Virginia Tech has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.8 over its past two.
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