A couple of schools that like to run the football, Coach Doc Holliday and the Marshall Thundering Herd (+5) will be taking the field against the No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies (-5) at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. This Saturday afternoon game will get going at 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ACC Network.
Betting Preview: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Marshall Thundering Herd
This Saturday game showcases the Thundering Herd as the dogs and they’re currently getting 5 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to lay down $200 to win $100 back on the Hokies (-200). The Thundering Herd are getting +170 moneyline odds. If one squad can get out in front early it’ll create a nice in-game betting scenario. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 53 points.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this year as the Thundering Herd have gained 2.1 units while the Hokies are ahead 2.0 units.
The Thundering Herd are 8-3 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Hokies are 5-6 SU.
The Thundering Herd just scored a 28-25 victory over FIU last week. The passing attack was messy as Isaiah Green completed 18-of-27 passes for only 176 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Brenden Knox (109 rushing yards on 19 attempts) led the ground attack while Tyre Brady (five receptions, 45 yards, two TDs) and Willie Johnson (three catches, 25 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Virginia Tech is coming off of a 34-31 win over Virginia. The defensive unit let the Cavaliers rush for 164 yards on 38 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Joe Reed had a good showing 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 yards on 19 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Willis (41 yards on 11 carries) led the running game while Tre Turner (four receptions, 69 yards, one TD) and Hezekiah Grimsley (three catches, 31 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Marshall has 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 produced 148.9 rush yards per game and have 15 scores on the ground this year. The Hokies are totaling 172.7 rush yards per game and have 16 total rushing TDs.
If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then the Thundering Herd ought to hold an edge in the trenches. Their offensive line has yielded just 11 sacks while the D-line registered 32 sacks. The Hokies, on the other hand, have allowed 23 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 32 occasions.
The Thundering Herd offense has averaged 229.5 yards in the air overall and has 19 passing scores so far. The Hokies have recorded 251.7 pass yards per game and have 23 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Marshall has allowed 100.5 rush yards and 224.4 pass yards per game. The Virginia Tech D has allowed 231.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 204.2 yards per game on the ground. The Thundering Herd are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.41 to opposing QBs, while the Hokies have allowed a 7.17 ANY/A.
Offensively, Green has amassed 1,631 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has completed 56 percent of his 235 attempts with 12 scores through the air and nine interceptions. He has a 5.92 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.53 over the past two outings.
On the other sideline, Ryan Willis has connected on 157-of-271 passes for 1,969 yards, 17 TDs and six INTs. Willis’ ANY/A sits at 6.83 for the season and 3.16 over his last two outings.
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Virginia Tech, ATS Winner: Virginia Tech, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The Marshall defense has 36 sacks on the year while Virginia Tech has just 23.
- The Virginia Tech offense has lost five fumbles this season while Marshall has lost 10.
- The Thundering Herd have made 20 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Hokies have produced 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+ yards, while Virginia Tech has created 19 such runs.
- The Thundering Herd defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, 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 produced 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 last two.
