James Madison Dukes vs Marshall Thundering Herd Prediction, 10/19/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: James Madison Dukes vs Marshall Thundering Herd

Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, WV

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Thundering Herd (+1)

Total/Over-Under: 53

The James Madison Dukes (6-0) are on their way to Joan C. Edwards Stadium on Thursday, October 19, 2023 where they will take on the Marshall Thundering Herd (4-2). Marshall opens this matchup as 1-point underdogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total has been set at 53.

The James Madison Dukes head into this matchup 6-0 this season. The last time they took the field, the Dukes played the Georgia Southern Eagles and took home the win by a score of 41-13. Jordan McCloud went 20/31 with 259 yards passing and 3 TDs. He had a quarterback rate of 166.6 and finished the contest without throwing an interception. Kaelon Black was the rushing leader for the Dukes with 11 attempts for 45 yds (4.1 yards per carry). The James Madison Dukes ended up rushing 23 different times and had 125 yds, which came out to an average of 5.4 yards per attempt. In all, they ran 54 plays which totaled 384 yds. James Madison gave up 35 completions on 59 tries for 304 yds, and a completion percentage of 59.3%. Against the run, the Dukes conceded 64 yards on 29 attempts, which is 2.2 yds per run allowed.

The Dukes have tallied 2,394 total yards for the season. In terms of getting in the endzone, James Madison has amassed 15 touchdowns through the air and 9 touchdowns on the ground. They have turned the football over 7 times. James Madison has a total of 111 first downs offensively, and they have committed 36 penalties for 284 yards. As a team they average 154.5 yards in the run game which is 68th in Division 1. When talking about putting points on the board, the James Madison Dukes hold an average of 34.5 PPG.

The Dukes sit in 42nd in Division 1 when it comes to team defense, conceding 21.0 points per game. They are giving up 1.5 yards per running attempt and 42.8 rushing yards per contest on the season. Over the course of this year, they have allowed 257 rushing yards through 6 games. When it comes to passing yards, the Dukes have given up 1,861 yards which has them ranked 123rd in the nation. They have given up 310.2 yards per game through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 59.2%. In total, they have given up 353.0 yards per contest which has them sitting 53rd in college football. They have surrendered 10 touchdowns by air as well as 6 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Thundering Herd come into this matchup with a record of 4-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Thundering Herd took a loss by a final score of 41-24 when they faced the Georgia State Panthers. Cam Fancher (1 touchdown) finished the contest with 301 yards on 27/34 through the air while his QB rate was 163.5. He kept the ball away from the defense with no interceptions and his Y/A was 8.9. Rasheen Ali ran the ball 19 times for 103 yards, ending the contest with 5.4 yards per attempt for Marshall. Marshall ended up running for 4.6 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 156 yds on 34 attempts. The Thundering Herd finished the game with 457 yds while running 68 plays (6.7 yards per play). The Thundering Herd secondary conceded a completion rate of 67.7%, surrendering 234 yds on 21 for 31 through the air. Marshall relinquished 42 running attempts for 240 yds (5.7 yds per rush).

In relation to their ability to score points, the Thundering Herd are ranking 55th in D-1 by tallying 30.3 points per contest. The Marshall Thundering Herd hold an average of 420.8 yards/outing, which ranks them 48th in college football. The Marshall offense has compiled 345 yards of penalties on 36 violations, which ranks 83rd in college football in terms of giving up free yards. They have given away 5 picks while surrendering 6 fumbles and they have been able to record 137 1st downs. For the season to this point, the Thundering Herd have compiled 1,589 yards via the pass as well as an average of 264.8 passing yards per outing, ranking them 43rd in the nation. They have an average of 156.0 yards via the ground game and have run for 936 yards in total.

Marshall has allowed a total of 1,151 yards via the ground game (191.8 yards/game) in addition to 12 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this year. They have yielded 8 touchdowns through the air as well as 178.5 yards per contest, which has them sitting 15th in D-1. Their defense has earned 1 fumble and 8 interceptions this year. The Thundering Herd defense has taken part in 401 plays, which is good for 39th in D-1. The Thundering Herd are giving up 28.5 points per contest, which has them ranked 89th in the country. Over the course of the season, they have given up 171 points.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Dukes -1

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