In a battle of two teams that like to keep it on the ground, Head Coach Butch Davis and the FIU Golden Panthers (+1.5) are set to welcome the Marshall Thundering Herd (-1.5) at Riccardo Silva Stadium. This important CUSA matchup kicks off at 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action live on STAD,FCBK. These teams met last year with the final result being a 41-30 victory for FIU.
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. FIU Golden Panthers Betting Preview
FIU is entering this CUSA game as the underdog and is currently getting 1.5 points. The Thundering Herd are also receiving -120 moneyline odds while the Golden Panthers are +100. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 52 points. Should one team catches a lucky break early, it would probably generate a decent live betting scenario.
The game’s total has yet to change after it was initially set at 52. Having said that, the line opened at -2 so has recently moved up to 1.5.
Each team has posted a good return this season as the Thundering Herd have gained 1.1 units and the Golden Panthers are ahead 3.8 units.
The Thundering Herd are 7-3 straight up (SU), including 5-2 SU against CUSA opponents. The Golden Panthers are 8-3 SU overall and are also 6-1 SU in conference play.
Each team enters this contest on a two-game unbeaten streak. The Thundering Herd are coming off a resounding 23-0 victory over UTSA last week. Isaiah Green completed just 19-of-36 passes for 387 yards and two touchdowns. Brenden Knox (56 rushing yards on 15 attempts) and Keion Davis (49 yards on 12 carries) provided the running attack while Tyre Brady (six receptions, 162 yards, one TD) and Obi Obialo (five catches, 103 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
FIU is coming off of a 42-35 win over Charlotte. The team’s defense let the 49ers rush for 281 yards on 57 attempts, including four rush TDs. Benny LeMay was a force to be reckoned with, putting up 159 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 30 attempts, along with 43 yards on three catches for Charlotte. For FIU, James Morgan completed 24-of-31 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Jones (72 yards on 11 rush attempts) and Napoleon Maxwell (102 yards on seven carries, two TDs) mounted the running game as Maurice Alexander (five receptions, 36 yards) and Bryce Singleton (four catches, 38 yards) led the receiving corps in the win.
Marshall has run the ball on 51.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while FIU has a rush percentage of 55.9 percent. The Thundering Herd have produced 148 rush yards per game (including 167 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 15 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Golden Panthers are totaling 170 rush yards per game (162 in conference) and have 20 total rushing TDs.
The Thundering Herd offensive scheme has logged 235 yards per game in the air overall (218 per game against conference opposition) and has 17 passing scores so far. The Golden Panthers have produced 255 pass yards per contest (268.6 against CUSA foes) and have 26 total pass TDs.
Marshall has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 92 yards and pass for 227 yards per game. The FIU D has given up 189.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 202.5 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Thundering Herd have given up an ANY/A of 4.61 to opposing QBs, while the Golden Panthers are allowing an ANY/A of 4.78.
Passing-wise, Green has put up 1,664 yards on the year, and has completed 118-of-219 attempts with 11 scores through the air and seven interceptions. Green has a 6.74 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 9.97 over the last two games.
Tyre Brady (750 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns this season), Brenden Knox (56 rush yards) and Obi Obialo (393 receiving yards, three TDs) have each played significant roles recently.
James Morgan has connected on 173-of-264 passes for 2,296 yards, 23 TDs and five INTs for FIU. His ANY/A stands at 9.12 for the year and 10.66 across his past two outings.
We’re expecting the Golden Panthers to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. In addition to Austin Maloney (450 receiving yards, five receiving TDs this season), Napoleon Maxwell (559 rush yards, five rush TDs) and Anthony Jones (191 rush yards, two rush TDs, two TDs) have brought significant production to the Golden Panthers’ recent offensive gameplans.
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Prediction: Marshall Thundering Herd vs. FIU Golden Panthers
SU Winner – Marshall, ATS Winner – Marshall, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
The O/U for Marshall’s last game was set at 48. The under cashed in the team’s 23-0 victory over UTSA.
Marshall has rushed for 3.1 yards per attempt across its past three outings and 3.5 over its last two.
FIU has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.4 over its past two.
FIU has lost four fumbles this season while Marshall has lost 10.
In its last three contests, Marshall is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Marshall has won five of its last six games SU, with a two-point defeat to Southern Miss on November 3rd representing the only loss over that span.
The O/U for FIU’s last match was set at 45. The over cashed in the 42-35 victory over Charlotte.
In its last three matches, FIU is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
FIU has won seven of its last eight games SU, with a -35-point loss to Florida Atlantic on November 3rd representing the lone defeat over that stretch.
The Thundering Herd offense has recorded eight pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Golden Panthers have put up 11 such plays.
Both defenses have allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards. The Marshall defense has given up 11 pass plays of 30+ yards while FIU has given up 10 such plays.
The Marshall offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while FIU has created 15 such runs.
The Thundering Herd defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Golden Panthers have given up 18 such runs.
The Marshall defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 35 times this year. FIU has recorded just 20 sacks.
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