Two schools that prefer running the football, Coach Doc Holliday and the Marshall Thundering Herd (-7) will be taking the field against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium. FCBK is scheduled to broadcast the action and this crucial CUSA showdown kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET. When the two teams met last year, Marshall emerged victorious by a final score of 30-13.
Betting Preview: Charlotte 49ers vs. Marshall Thundering Herd
Charlotte is the underdog in this CUSA game and is currently being given 7 points. In order to take the favorite, moneyline bettors would currently have to wager $300 to win $100 back on the Thundering Herd (-300). The 49ers are getting +220 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 55 points, and if one side can get out in front in the early stages, it would likely produce a worthy betting scenario in-game.
This game’s line opened at 6.5. The total has not moved after being initially set at 55.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this season as the Thundering Herd have gained 2.6 units and the 49ers are up 1.4 units.
The Thundering Herd have gone 7-3 straight up (SU), including 5-1 SU against conference opponents. The 49ers are 5-5 SU overall and 3-3 SU in conference play.
The Thundering Herd are coming off a resounding 31-10 victory over Louisiana Tech last week. The defensive unit did its part in the win, limiting the Bulldogs to just 194 passing yards and 67 yards on the ground. Smoke Harris had a productive day for the Bulldogs in that one with 91 yards on nine catches. On the offensive side, Isaiah Green completed just 14 passes on 26 attempts for 213 yards, along with one TD and an interception. Brenden Knox (113 rushing yards on 25 attempts, two TDs) led the ground attack. Obi Obialo (eight receptions, 146 yards) and Knox (two catches, six yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Charlotte enters this one having just earned a 28-21 win over UTEP two weeks ago. The defense allowed the Miners to run for 174 yards on 37 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Jacob Cowing had a productive outing in the loss for UTEP, posting 145 yards on six catches. For Charlotte, Chris Reynolds completed 24-of-35 passes for 354 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Reynolds (91 rushing yards on 18 attempts) and Aaron McAllister (31 yards on 11 carries) mounted the running game as Cameron Dollar (nine receptions, 157 yards) and Victor Tucker (five catches, 60 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Marshall’s run the ball on 57.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Charlotte has a rush percentage of 60.1 percent. The Thundering Herd have produced 200.3 rush yards per game (including 196.2 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 17 scores on the ground this year. The Niners are logging 202.8 rush yards per game (164.2 in conference) and have 21 total rushing TDs.
The Thundering Herd offensive scheme has tallied 223.5 yards/game in the air overall (250.3 per game against conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Niners have put up 221.9 pass yards per outing (247 in the CUSA) and have 20 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Marshall has allowed 127.6 rush yards and 232.8 pass yards per game. The Charlotte D has allowed 209.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 198.5 yards per game on the ground. The Thundering Herd are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.95 to opponents, while the Niners have allowed an 8.1 ANY/A.
Offensively, Green has put up 1,820 passing yards on the year, and has completed 58 percent of his 254 attempts with 12 passing scores and seven interceptions. Green’s got a 6.17 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.25 over the last two games.
Look for a balanced approach offensively from Marshall in this one. Brenden Knox (916 rushing yards, nine rush TDs on the year), Obi Obialo (146 receiving yards) and Armani Levias (349 receiving yards, three TDs) have each played key roles lately.
Chris Reynolds has connected on 134-of-213 passes for 1,842 yards, 17 TDs and seven INTs for Charlotte. His ANY/A stands at 8.03 for the season and 9.48 across his last two outings.
We also expect the Charlotte offense to spread things out this Saturday. As a trio, Cameron Dollar, Chris Reynolds and Aaron McAllister have combined to account for 572 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the last two games.
Marshall Thundering Herd at Charlotte 49ers Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Marshall, ATS Winner: Marshall, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- The Thundering Herd offense has created 11 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the 49ers have accounted for six such plays.
- The Marshall defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40+ yards, while Charlotte has given up 10 such plays.
- Both defenses have produced 18 rushing plays of 20 yards or more. The Marshall offense has recorded 73 running plays of 10+ yards while Charlotte has accounted for 56 such plays.
- The Thundering Herd defense has allowed 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the 49ers have given up 17 such runs.
- The Marshall defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 33 times this season. Charlotte has produced just 27 sacks.
- As a team, Marshall has averaged 4.0 yards per rush attempt over its last three games and 3.6 over its last two.
- Charlotte has averaged 4.8 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.2 over its past two.
- Over its last three matchups, Charlotte is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Marshall’s previous game going into it was 54. The under cashed in the team’s 31-10 victory over Louisiana Tech.
- In its last three matchups, Marshall is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Charlotte’s last outing going into it was 55. The under cashed in the 28-21 win over UTEP.
