Western Michigan Broncos (1-2) vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (1-2)
September 28, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: Marshall Thundering Herd -3 / Western Michigan Broncos +3; Over/Under: +54.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a Marshall vs Western Michigan prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, September 28th at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week five matchup.
Marshall Thundering Herd Betting Preview
The Marshall Thundering Herd are 1-2 this year after they lost to Ohio State by a score of 49-14 last week. Marshall cut the deficit to 28-14 right before halftime, but they weren’t able to score in the second half in the loss. The Thundering Herd were out gained by a total of 569-264, won the turnover battle 1-0, and went 7-17 on third down in the game. Stone Earle threw for 132 yards and one touchdown, while Elijah Metcalf caught eight passes for 68 yards and one score.
Marshall lost to Virginia Tech by a score of 31-14 in the game prior to Ohio State, but they did open the season with a 45-3 win over Stony Brook. The Marshall offense has scored 24.3 points per game with 186.7 passing yards and 177 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 27.7 points against per game this season. The Thundering Herd have gone 37.8% on third down and 2-5 on fourth down so far this season. Stone Earle has completed 53.4% of his passes for 360 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, while AJ Turner has rushed for 254 yards and one score.
Western Michigan Broncos Betting Preview
The Western Michigan Broncos are 1-2 this season after they defeated Bethune-Cookman by a score of 59-31 in their last game. Western Michigan led 28-0 in the second quarter and they were able to add another 24 points in the second half for the easy win. The Broncos out gained BC by a total of 677-255, lost the turnover battle 1-0, and went 3-6 on third down in the game. Hayden Wolff threw for 305 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while Jaden Nixon rushed for 189 yards and two scores.
Western Michigan opened the season with a 28-14 loss against Wisconsin and a 56-0 loss against Ohio State in their first two games. The WMU offense has scored 24.3 points per game with 172.3 passing yards and 173.3 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 38.3 points against per game this season. The Broncos have gone 29% on third down and 2-4 on fourth down through three games. Hayden Wolff has completed 67.3% of his passes for three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Jaden Nixon has rushed for 214 yards and two scores.
Why Marshall will win
- The favorite has won each of Western Michigan’s last 15 games.
- Western Michigan has lost each of its last 10 games as an underdog.
- Western Michigan has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven September games as an underdog.
- Marshall has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
- Western Michigan has lost the first half in each of its last seven road games against non-conference opponents.
- Marshall has won the first quarter in four of its last five home games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Marshall’s last five games against non-conference opponents at Joan C. Edwards Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Western Michigan’s last five games in September have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Marshall ranks 129th among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (10.3).
- Marshall ranks 119th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (57).
- Western Michigan ranks 129th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (38.3).
- Western Michigan ranks 127th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (18.7).
Marshall vs Western Michigan Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup with a 1-2 record and they are looking to climb back to .500 with a win here. Western Michigan opened the season with two very tough games and one easy game against a FCS team, so we will get a better sense of what they are here. Marshall also started the season with that same recipe, but they did make life tough for Ohio State for about a half. I actually really liked what I saw from Marshall in that Ohio State game and I thought Earle was very good at the quarterback spot, so I expect him to have a big day here. I am not sold on the Western Michigan offense, so I like Marshall at home in this game.
