The Thundering Herd (+6) are set to welcome the North Carolina State Wolfpack (-6) to Marshall. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET and CBS Sports Network has the TV rights.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Betting Preview
Marshall is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 6 points in this Saturday matchup. The Wolfpack are also receiving -240 moneyline odds while the Thundering Herd are +190. Should one team can create a bunch of points early it’ll create a reasonable live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 54.5 points.
The line opened at 6.5 while the total has not changed after it was initially set at 54.5.
The Wolfpack are 1-1 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 1.0 unit so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 0-1. The Thundering Herd have gained 1.0 unit this season. The team is 1-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-1.
The Wolfpack are 2-0 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Thundering Herd are also 2-0 SU.
The Wolfpack are looking to remain undefeated after a 41-7 win over Georgia State on September 8Their defense allowed the Panthers to run for 107 yards on 31 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Devin Gentry had a productive day for the Panthers in that one with 83 yards on five catches. On the offensive side of the ball, Ryan Finley completed 31 passes on 38 attempts for 370 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Reggie Gallaspy (just 24 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one TD) led the ground attack in the win while Thayer Thomas (nine receptions, 114 yards, one TD) and Kelvin Harmon (eight catches, 129 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Marshall enters this one having just earned a 32-16 win over Eastern Kentucky back in Week 2. The defense allowed the Colonels to rush for 139 yards on 45 attempts, including two rush TDs. Alphonso Howard was a bright spot in the loss, recording 64 rushing yards on 13 attempts for Eastern Kentucky. For Marshall, Isaiah Green completed 23-of-39 passes for 278 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Keion Davis (19 rushing yards on 12 attempts) and Tyler King (31 yards on 11 carries, one TD) handled the ground game in the win while Tyre Brady (six receptions, 66 yards, one TD) and Xavier Gaines (three catches, 60 yards) led the receiving corps.
North Carolina State’s run the ball on 42.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Marshall has a rush percentage of 46.5 percent. The Wolfpack have produced 99 rush yards per game and have four touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Thundering Herd are averaging 130 rushing yards per game and have four total rush TDs.
It appears that the Thundering Herd might hold an edge when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game, as their backfield has generated 3.9 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.1 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Wolfpack have tallied 3.3 yards per carry while allowing 3.9 YPC to opponents.
The Pack offense has averaged a ridiculous 368 yards in the air overall and has four passing scores so far. The Thundering Herd have recorded 275 pass yards per contest and have five total pass TDs.
North Carolina State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 135 yards and pass for 222 yards per game. The Marshall defense has given up 202.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 113.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Thundering Herd are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.13 to opponents, while the Wolfpack have given up a 6.46 ANY/A.
Offensively, Finley has put up 370 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 31-of-38 attempts with two scores through the air and one interception. Finley has a sparkling 9.61 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.66 over the last two outings.
Isaiah Green has completed 23-of-39 passes for 278 yards, three TDs and one INT for Marshall. His ANY/A stands at 7.30 for the year and 7.49 over his last two outings.
When these two teams faced one another last year, North Carolina State earned the win 37-20.
Free Pick: North Carolina State Wolfpack at Marshall Thundering Herd
SU Winner – Marshall, ATS Winner – Marshall, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Marshall defense has sacked opposing QBs seven times this season. North Carolina State has registered five sacks.
Marshall has lost three fumbles in 2018 while the North Carolina State offense has let one get away.
Both passing attacks have produced one pass play of 40+ yards. The Wolfpack have have made five pass plays of 30+ yards while the Thundering Herd have created four such plays.
Both teams have allowed one pass play of 40 or more yards. The North Carolina State defense has given up one pass play of 30+ yards while Marshall has yielded two such plays.
The North Carolina State offense has created zero rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Marshall has created one such runs.
The Wolfpack defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Thundering Herd have given up zero such runs.
Marshall was favored by 32 points in its last game and the O/U going into it was 52.5. The under cashed and Marshall failed to cover in that 32-16 triumph over Eastern Kentucky.
North Carolina State was favored by 25 points in its last game and the Over/Under going into it was 56. The under cashed and North Carolina State covered in the 41-7 victory over Georgia State.
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