In a display of two schools that prefer to run the football, Head Coach Brad Lambert and the Charlotte 49ers (+15) are set to face off against their CUSA counterpart Marshall Thundering Herd (-15) at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. This afternoon game gets underway at 2:30 p.m. ET and ESPN+ is scheduled to broadcast the action.
Charlotte 49ers at Marshall Thundering Herd Betting Preview
The 49ers enter into this Saturday CUSA game as a noticeable dog here and are currently receiving 15 points. The 49ers are also receiving +510 moneyline odds while the Thundering Herd are -750. Multiple solid live betting opportunities could exist during the matchup, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 44.5 points.
The game’s O/U has been driven downward after initially being set at 45.5. The opening line has stayed firm.
The 49ers have gained 2.8 units so far and are 6-3 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 4-4. The Thundering Herd have gained 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 5-3.
The 49ers are 4-5 straight up (SU), including 3-2 SU against conference opponents. The Thundering Herd are 5-3 SU overall and 3-2 SU in conference play.
The Niners fell to Tennessee 14-3 in a contest where Evan Shirreffs completed just 13 passes on 25 attempts for 152 yards and one interception. Benny LeMay (81 rushing yards on 24 attempts) mounted the running attack. Rico Arnold (five receptions, 55 yards) and Workpeh Kofa (three catches, 41 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
On November 3, Southern Miss got the victory against this Marshall team by a score of 26-24. The Thundering Herd defensive unit did its job in the loss, keeping the Golden Eagles to only 134 passing yards and 88 rushing yards. Quez Watkins had a good showing, recording 79 yards on five catches for Southern Miss. As a group, the Thundering Herd collectively completed 17-of-38 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Isaiah Green went 12-for-25 for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Alex Thomson was five-of-13 for 49 yards and one interception. Anthony Anderson (18 yards on nine rush attempts, one TD) mounted the running game as Marcel Williams (seven receptions, 139 yards) and Obi Obialo (four catches, 32 yards) led the receiving corps in the loss.
Charlotte’s run the ball on 60.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Marshall has an overall rush percentage of 50.4 percent. The 49ers have produced 137 rush yards per game (including 149 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 11 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Thundering Herd are totaling 152 rush yards per game (181 in conference) and have 13 total rushing TDs.
If 2018 results can translate to this game, then it seems like the Thundering Herd should have an advantage in the trenches. Their offensive line has yielded only 18 sacks while the D-line has logged 24 sacks. The 49ers offensive line has given up 26 sacks and their defense has logged only 18 sacks.
The Niners offense has averaged 192 yards in the air overall (184 per game versus conference opposition) and has eight passing scores so far. The Thundering Herd have produced 223 pass yards per contest (192.6 in the CUSA) and have 14 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Charlotte appears to have the upper hand in both phases. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 82 yards and throw for 223 yards per game. The Marshall defense has allowed 254.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 103.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Thundering Herd are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.19 to opponents, while the 49ers have allowed a 6.69 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Shirreffs has put up 479 yards on the year, and has completed 38-of-72 attempts with two scores through the air and three interceptions. He has a 4.17 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 2.65 over the last two games.
The 49ers will likely try to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with Rico Arnold (242 yards, one TD), Benny LeMay (745 rush yards, six rush TDs) and Aaron McAllister (244 rush yards, two rush TDs) have been big focal points in the offensive scheme for Charlotte.
In the host locker room, Isaiah Green has connected on 99-of-183 passes for 1,277 yards, nine TDs and seven INTs. Green’s ANY/A sits at 5.84 for the year and 4.70 over his past two games.
The Thundering Herd should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Marcel Williams (293 receiving yards, one receiving TD), Tyler King (655 rush yards, four rush TDs) and Keion Davis (199 rush yards, one rush TD) have gotten a multitude of looks lately.
When these two teams met a year ago, Marshall emerged victorious by a score of 14-3.
Free Prediction: Charlotte 49ers vs. Marshall Thundering Herd
SU Winner – Marshall, ATS Winner – Marshall, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The O/U for Charlotte’s last game was set at 46. The under cashed in the team’s 14-3 loss to Tennessee.
Charlotte has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.1 over its last two.
Marshall has averaged 5.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.8 over its last two.
The Marshall offense has lost nine fumbles this season while Charlotte has lost six.
In its last three matchups, Charlotte is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Marshall’s previous match was set at 47.5. The over cashed in that 26-24 defeat to Southern Miss.
In its last three games, Marshall is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The 49ers offense has registered six pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Thundering Herd have accounted for four such plays.
The Charlotte defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Marshall has given up five such plays.
The Charlotte offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Marshall has created 10 such runs.
The 49ers defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Thundering Herd have given up two such runs.
The Marshall defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 24 times this year. Charlotte has recorded just 18 sacks.
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