Two schools that like to keep the ball on the ground, Thundering Herd (-6) are set to welcome the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to Marshall. FCBK is scheduled to have the TV rights and this pivotal conference matchup starts at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Marshall Thundering Herd
In this Saturday Conference USA game, Marshall has been projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 6 points. The Hilltoppers are also receiving +190 moneyline odds while the Thundering Herd are -240. If one squad can create a bunch of points early on it would result in a reasonable betting scenario in-game. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 45 points.
The surprising Hilltoppers have gained 2.9 units so far in 2019 and are 5-2 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 2-5.
The Thundering Herd have lost 0.3 units this season. The team is 2-5 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-2.
The Hilltoppers are 5-2 straight up (SU), including 4-0 SU against CUSA opponents. The Thundering Herd are 4-3 SU overall and 2-1 SU in conference play.
When these two squads faced one another a year ago, Marshall knocked Western Kentucky off by a field goal 20-17.
The Hilltoppers want to keep things rolling after a 30-14 victory over Charlotte last week. The passing attack was on point as Ty Storey completed 21-of-30 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Gaej Walker (70 yards on 21 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Storey (-2 yards on 11 carries) led the ground attack. Jahcour Pearson (seven receptions, 68 yards, one TD) and Lucky Jackson (five catches, 141 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Marshall just got a 36-31 win over Florida Atlantic. The team’s defensive secondary allowed the Owls to air it out for 362 yards. Deangelo Antoine was a bright spot in the loss for Florida Atlantic, recording 111 yards on seven catches. For Marshall, Isaiah Green completed 15-of-24 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Brenden Knox (220 rushing yards on 23 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Green (three yards on 12 carries) led the running game while Armani Levias (four receptions, 70 yards, one TD) and Xavier Gaines (three catches, 12 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Western Kentucky has run the ball on 51.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Marshall has a rush percentage of 56.6 percent. The Hilltoppers have run for 110 yards/game (including 79.5 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have seven touchdowns on the ground this year. The Thundering Herd are putting up 216.9 rush yards per game (230.7 in conference) and have 12 total rushing TDs.
The Hilltoppers offensive scheme has logged 229 yards per contest in the air overall (228.5 per game against conference opposition) and has 11 passing scores so far. The Thundering Herd have recorded 217.6 pass yards per outing (263 in the CUSA) and also have 11 total pass TDs.
Western Kentucky appears to possess an advantage in both areas of the defense. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 110.3 yards and throw for 176.6 yards per game. The Marshall D has allowed 248.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 135.3 yards per game on the ground. The Hilltoppers are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.81 to opposing QBs, while the Thundering Herd have allowed a 7.07 ANY/A.
Green has managed to complete 95-of-166 passes for 1,202 yards, nine TDs and six INTs for Marshall. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 6.07 for the season and 6.15 over his past two games. In the other huddle, Storey has put up 665 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 57-of-82 attempts with five passing touchdowns and only one interception. Storey’s got a 7.48 ANY/A, including 6.52 over the last two games.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Marshall Thundering Herd NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: Marshall, ATS Winner: Marshall, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The Marshall defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 25 times this season. Western Kentucky has registered just 15 sacks.
- Marshall has lost three fumbles in 2019 while Western Kentucky has lost four.
- The Hilltoppers offense has tallied six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Thundering Herd have accounted for seven such plays.
- The Western Kentucky defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Marshall has given up eight such plays.
- The Western Kentucky offense has created two rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Marshall has created 14 such runs.
- The Hilltoppers defense has allowed one rushing play of 20 or more yards, while the Thundering Herd have given up seven such runs.
- The O/U for Marshall’s last outing was set at 58. The over cashed in that 36-31 victory over Florida Atlantic.
- In its last three matchups, Marshall is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three matches, Western Kentucky is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Western Kentucky’s last game was set at 48. The under cashed in the team’s 30-14 victory over Charlotte.
- Western Kentucky has averaged 3.3 yards per carry across its last three games and 3.3 over its last two.
- Marshall has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.4 over its last two.
