The Hilltoppers (+7) are ready to host their conference nemesis Marshall Thundering Herd (-7) in Western Kentucky. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to STAD.
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview
In this Saturday Conference USA game, Marshall is getting picked as the favorite and is currently giving up 7 points. If they want to take the moneyline, bettors would currently have to put down $300 in order to win $100 back on the Thundering Herd (-300). The Hilltoppers are getting +220 moneyline odds. If one team can create a bunch of points early, it will probably produce a worthwhile in-game betting opportunity.
The line originally opened at 10 but the early action has moved to the Hilltoppers.
The Thundering Herd have gained 0.0 units so far in 2018 and are 1-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 2-1. The Hilltoppers have lost 2.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 1-3.
The Thundering Herd have gone 2-1 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any CUSA competition yet. The Hilltoppers are 1-3 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Thundering Herd fell to North Carolina State 37-20 in a blowout where the passing game left much to be desired as Isaiah Green completed just 22 passes on 43 attempts for 270 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Tyler King (just 30 yards on nine rush attempts) led the running attack while Davis (six receptions, 99 yards) and Marcel Williams (four catches, 87 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Western Kentucky is coming off of a 28-20 win over Ball State. As a group, the Hilltoppers collectively completed 25-of-35 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Davis Shanley went 13-for-19 for 158 yards while Steven Duncan was 12-of-16 for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Joshua Samuel (91 yards on 19 rush attempts, one TD) and Steven Duncan (55 yards on six carries) handled the running game as Lucky Jackson (eight receptions, 91 yards) and Mik’Quan Deane (five catches, 48 yards, two TDs) led the receiving corps in the win.
Marshall has run the ball on 42.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Western Kentucky has an overall rush percentage of 50.7 percent. The Thundering Herd have produced 105 rush yards/game and have four touchdowns on the ground this year. The Hilltoppers are logging 132 rushing yards per game and have three total rush TDs.
If 2018 numbers are any indication, then it seems like the Thundering Herd should have an edge when it comes to quarterback protection. Their offensive line has given up only 11 sacks while the D-line logged 32 sacks. The Hilltoppers, on the other hand, have allowed 48 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs just 12 times.
The Thundering Herd offensive scheme has averaged 273 yards in the air overall and has six passing TDs so far. The Hilltoppers have produced 260 pass yards per game and also have six total pass scores.
Defensively, Marshall has allowed 117 rush yards and 261 pass yards per game. The Western Kentucky defense has allowed 203.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 175.0 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Thundering Herd have given up an ANY/A of 6.09 to opposing QBs, while the Hilltoppers are allowing an ANY/A of 5.97.
Offensively, Green has put up 542 passing yards this season. The signal-caller has completed 46-of-80 attempts with three passing scores and two interceptions. He’s got a 6.00 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.83 over the last two games.
Keion Davis (93 rushing yards, one rush TD, 111 receiving yards this season), Marcel Williams (108 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Tyre Brady (141 receiving yards, two TDs) have each played big roles of late.
For the home team, Davis Shanley has connected on 15-of-22 passes for 172 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs. Shanley’s ANY/A sits at 7.13 for the season and 6.96 over his past two outings.
Lucky Jackson, Joshua Samuel and Quin Jernighan have combined for 387 yards from scrimmage the last couple of outings.
These two programs met last year with the final outcome being a 30-23 win for Marshall.
Betting Pick: Marshall Thundering Herd at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
SU Winner – Marshall, ATS Winner – Marshall
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
Each team defense has created eight sacks this year.
Western Kentucky has lost two fumbles this season while the Marshall offense has let four get away.
The Thundering Herd offense has created two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Hilltoppers have put up four such plays.
Both defenses have allowed two pass plays of 40 yards or more and six pass plays of 30+ yards.
Both defenses have produced one rushing play of 20 or more yards. The Marshall offense has recorded 11 running plays of 10+ yards while Western Kentucky has accounted for 15 such plays.
The Thundering Herd defense has allowed zero rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Hilltoppers have given up six such runs.
Western Kentucky was favored by 3 points in its previous outing and the O/U was set at 52.5. The under cashed and Western Kentucky covered in that 28-20 victory over Ball State.
Over its last three contests, Western Kentucky is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Over its last three matches, Marshall is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Marshall was the underdog by 6 points in its previous game and the O/U was set at 56. The over cashed and Marshall was not able to cover in the 37-20 defeat to North Carolina State.
As a team, Marshall has averaged 2.9 yards per carry over its last two contests.
Western Kentucky has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last two.
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