The FIU Panthers (+8) are heading north to face their CUSA rival Marshall Thundering Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. CBS Sports Network will televise the action and this vital afternoon matchup is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Marshall Thundering Herd vs. FIU Panthers
In this Saturday Conference USA game, Marshall has been labeled as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 8 points. The Panthers are also receiving +250 moneyline odds while the Thundering Herd are -330. This CUSA tilt should provide several decent in-game betting possibilities, and oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 49.5 points.
The disappointing Panthers are 3-8 against the spread (ATS) and are down 4.7 units so far in 2019. The team’s posted an O/U mark of 5-6.
The Thundering Herd have lost 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-7 ATS and have an O/U record of 6-5.
The Panthers have gone 6-5 straight up (SU), including 3-4 SU against CUSA opponents. The Thundering Herd are 7-4 SU overall and 5-2 SU in conference play.
The Panthers are coming off a 30-24 victory over Miami (FL) last week. The Panthers defense allowed the Hurricanes to rush for 164 yards on 31 attempts, along with one rushing TD. On the offense, James Morgan completed just 16 passes on 30 attempts for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Jones (112 rushing yards on 16 attempts, one TD) led the running attack while Tony Gaiter IV (six receptions, 82 yards, one TD) and Shemar Thornton (six catches, 70 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the win.
A week ago, Charlotte knocked off this Marshall team by a score of 24-13. Isaiah Green completed six-of-17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Brenden Knox (92 yards on 22 rush attempts) mounted the running attack while Armani Levias (two receptions, 17 yards) and Sheldon Evans (one catch, four yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
When looking at offensive play-calling, each squad sports a remarkably similar (58-42) run-pass ratio on the season. The Panthers have run for 175.8 yards/game (including 164.3 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 20 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Thundering Herd are averaging 195.2 rush yards per game (188.7 in conference) and have 17 total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then the Thundering Herd could hold an advantage when it comes to efficiency in the ground game. Their running backs has produced 5.0 yards per carry while their defense has allowed a YPC of 3.8 to opponents. The Panthers have ran for 4.6 yards per carry while allowing 5.3 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Panthers offensive scheme has logged 202.5 yards/game through the air overall (206.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 12 passing scores so far. The Thundering Herd have put up 211 pass yards per contest (227 against CUSA foes) and have 14 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, FIU should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 201.5 rush yards and 186.5 pass yards per game. The Marshall defense has allowed 226.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 139.3 yards per game on the ground. The Panthers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.09 to opposing QBs, while the Thundering Herd have given up a 5.85 ANY/A.
Offensively, Morgan is up to 1,845 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 144-of-245 attempts with 12 scores through the air and only two interceptions. He’s got a 7.54 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 5.85 over the past two outings.
For the home team, Isaiah Green has connected on 157-of-267 passes for 1,962 yards, 12 TDs and eight INTs. Green’s ANY/A sits at 6.12 for the season and 3.26 across his last two outings.
When these two teams met last year, Marshall won by a field goal 28-25.
FIU Panthers vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Free Pick
SU Winner: FIU, ATS Winner: FIU, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Marshall defense has produced more than twice as many sacks as FIU this season (33 versus 15).
- The Marshall offense has lost three fumbles in 2019 while FIU has let nine get away.
- The Panthers offense has created six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Thundering Herd have accounted for 12 such plays.
- The FIU defense has allowed six pass plays of 40+ yards, while Marshall has given up nine such plays.
- The FIU offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Marshall has created 18 such runs.
- The Panthers defense has allowed 19 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Thundering Herd have given up 11 such runs.
- The O/U for Marshall’s previous game was 56.5. The under cashed in the 24-13 loss to Charlotte.
- Over its last three matchups, Marshall is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- Over its last three matchups, FIU is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for FIU’s last game was 52.5. The over cashed in the team’s 30-24 win over Miami (FL).
- FIU, as a team, has rushed for 3.8 yards per attempt over its past three games and 4.3 over its last two.
- Marshall has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.3 over its last two.
