Marshall at MTSU NCAA Football Game Picks 10/5/2019

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium

Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium is the venue where Asher O'Hara and the MTSU Blue Raiders will play the Marshall Thundering Herd on Saturday. Marshall opens this game as 6-point favorites. The Thundering Herd are 1-2-0 ATS and 2-1-0 when betting on the total. The Blue Raiders are 3-0-0 when wagering on the over/under and 1-2-0 against the spread.

Key Marshall Thundering Herd Injuries

09/29/19 WR Obi Obialo Foot is questionable Saturday vs Middle Tenn St
09/28/19 WR Artie Henry III Undisclosed is out for season

Key MTSU Blue Raiders Injuries

No key injuries to report

The last time they played, the Marshall Thundering Herd played the Cincinnati Bearcats and lost 52-14. Brenden Knox paced the team in rushing in the game. He tore off a long run of 11 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He scurried for 49 yards via 16 carries which had him averaging 3.1 yards per run. Brenden Knox led the team in receiving yardage with a tally of 50 yards on 4 receptions. He averaged 12.5 yards per catch in the game. Running the show from under center for the Thundering Herd was Isaiah Green who went 11/29 with 131 yards through the air but wasn't able to throw a ball for a TD. He ended the game without an interception. The Marshall Thundering Herd rushed the ball a total of 29 times and racked up 125 yards giving them an average of 4.3 yards per attempt. For the contest, the Thundering Herd earned 14 first downs and they totaled 7 infractions for 65 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. Overall, they totaled 59 plays for a total of 256 yards. In terms of defense, Marshall gave up 21 completions on 26 tries totaling 295 yards, and a completion percentage of 80.8%. In the game, they gave up 525 yards and forced 1 takeaway. On the ground, the Thundering Herd gave up 230 yards on 51 attempts allowing their opponent an average of 4.5 yards per carry allowed.

The Thundering Herd head into this matchup 2-2 for 2019. In terms of scoring, they are one of the marginal teams in the country averaging 27.5 points per contest, putting them 83rd in the nation. As a unit, they have an average of 206.5 yards on the ground per game which is 2nd in Conference USA. For total yards, they are currently ranked 6th in C-USA and 95th in the nation with 1,559 yards. The Thundering Herd have one of the middle tier defenses in Division 1, allowing 28.5 points per contest ranking them 5th in Conference USA. In regard to yards on the ground, Marshall is allowing 166 yards per game which has them at 8th in Conference USA and 89th in D-1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.3 yards per rush which has them at 7th in C-USA and 80th in college football overall. Overall, they have conceded 664 yards rushing through 4 games. When it comes to yards through the air, the Thundering Herd have allowed 733 yards. Opponents are completing 63.5% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 7.9 yards per try.

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In the last game they played, the MTSU Blue Raiders played the Iowa Hawkeyes and took the defeat by a score of 48-3. Leading the way at QB for the Blue Raiders was Asher O'Hara who went 15/22 with 110 yards passing but didn't get a passing TD in the game. He finished this contest without throwing a pick. Asher O'Hara led the team in rushing for that game. He tore off a long run of 15 yards but he wasn't able to rush for a TD on the day. He scurried for 33 yards by way of 10 carries which gave him an average of 3.3 yards per tote. Jarrin Pierce led the team in receiving yardage with a total of 43 yards on 6 receptions. He had an average of 7.2 yards per catch for that game. The MTSU Blue Raiders ended up rushing 24 times and earned 80 yards giving them an average of 3.3 yards per attempt. Overall, the Blue Raiders totaled 12 first downs and they had a total of 8 penalties for 72 yards which is telling in terms of discipline. In all, they ran 51 plays for 216 yards. In terms of defense, MTSU conceded 20 catches on 29 throws totaling 293 yards, and a completion percentage of 69.0%. In the running game, the Blue Raiders conceded 351 yards on 51 carries which gave the opponent an average of 6.9 yards per carry allowed. On the day, they gave up 644 yards but finished the game without a turnover.

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The Blue Raiders head into this game 1-3. MTSU hasn't done much to make teams fear their rushing game by averaging 130.5 rushing yards per contest, ranking them 95th in the country. As a team, they have a total of 522 yards rushing through 4 contests, so they are going to want to make some changes to the ground game if they want to make teams respect them. The Blue Raiders average 365 yards per contest overall putting them 93rd in Division 1 and 8th in C-USA. The Blue Raiders are giving up 38.8 points per contest ranking them 13th in Conference USA and 122nd in the country. When talking about points given up, they have allowed 155 points in total. When it comes to yards on the ground, they are allowing 254.3 yards per contest ranking them 128th in college football and 13th in C-USA. For 2019, they have allowed 1,017 yards on the ground and 9.2 rushing touchdowns. Their pass defense is one of the middle of the road units in the country. They are conceding 252.3 passing yards per game. For passing yards allowed per game, the Blue Raiders are currently ranked 11th in the conference.

Who will win tonight's Thundering Herd/Blue Raiders college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Blue Raiders +6

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