Mid Tenn. – Marshall
Time: NOON ET
Spread: MAR -24.5
Total: 70

Odds courtesy of Bovada

The Marshall Thundering Herd have been the toast of Conference USA, after winning its first five weeks, against Miami (OH), Rhode Is., Ohio, Akron and Old Dominion. College football oddsmakers expect the Herd to keep thundering, as Marshall enters this week’s matchup as 24.5-point favorites over Middle Tennessee.

The Herd rank 4th in the nation in scoring, averaging 47.6 points per game on the heels of a rush game that generates nearly 300 yards per game. The passing game hasn’t been too shabby either, posting 296 yards per game (29th in the nation). Marshall has been just as dominant on the other end of the ball, surrounding just 15.8 points per game to opponents. The Herd have held four of its five opponents to 17 points per less.

Rakeem Cato has thrown for 1,361 yards on the season with a 60.4 percent completion ratio, and has averaged 9.45 yards per attempt. He has 12 TDs to 4 INTs, and a great QB rating of 161.7. His top four receivers have accounted for 11 of the Herd’s 30 TDs, and Davonte Allen and Tommy Shuler both have over 300 receiving yards through the Herd’s first five games.

The backfield has been good too, with Devon Johnson having amassed 680 yards and eight TDs. Remi Watson leads Marshall in yards per carry with 8.3 per game.

Despite being a heavy underdog, Middle Tennessee has held its own within its own conference, having posted a 3-0 C-USA record thus far. The Blue Raiders won by six points over Southern Miss last week, after having defeated Old Dominion by 13 points on Sept 26. Following this matchup against Marshall, the team will travel to UAB.

The Blue Raiders have been pretty good offensively (38.3 points per game), but do not have a good defense (allow 30.7 points per game). The offense is strong and balanced, but a team like Marshall could potentially destroy the Blue Raiders on the defensive end of the ball.

Austin Grammer has thrown for 1,551 yards on the season with a 71.3 percent completion ratio and a 8.91 yard per carry average. He’s thrown 7 TDs and 4 INTs with a QB rating of 154.8. Additionally, Grammer has rushed for 262 yards and five TDs, including a 59-yard TD run.

The Blue Raiders have three backs with 200-plus yards, and leading rusher Reggie Whatley has 403 yards on 6.3 yards per carry. Kicker Cody Clark has hit 8-of-10, but has missed 2-of-4 from 40 yards or beyond.