The Marshall Thundering Herd and the NC State Wolfpack meet in week 6 college football action from Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Marshall Remains Unbeaten

The Marshall Thundering Herd have had quite the start to the season, sitting 4-0 on the year after a 41-35 win over Old Dominion in their last matchup. Cam Fancher has thrown for 890 yards, 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on 71% passing while also rushing for 162 yards. Rasheen Ali leads Marshall’s ground attack with 475 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns while Cade Conley leads Marshall’s receiving group with 18 catches for 167 yards and another pair of Marshall receivers have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Eli Neal leads the Thundering Herd with 27 total tackles while Sam Burton has 4 sacks and Owen Porter has 3.5 sacks. As a unit, Marshall has combined for 16 sacks and 5 interceptions this season.

Marshall Thundering Herd Team Facts

Marshall has won each of its last nine games.
Marshall has covered the spread in each of its last five October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
Marshall has lost the first half in five of its last six games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Eight of Marshall’s last nine October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

NC State Falls Short Vs. Louisville

The NC State Wolfpack will look to rebound from a 13-10 loss to Louisville, falling to 2-2 on the year as a result. Brennan Armstrong’s thrown for 971 yards, 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 58.8% passing while also rushing for a team-high 286 yards and 3 TDs this season. Kevin Concepcion leads NC State’s receivers with 23 receptions for 245 yards and 2 TDs while Julian Gray, Bradley Rozner and Porter Rooks each have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Payton Wilson has a team-high 56 total tackles while Red Hibbler has a team-high 3.5 sacks. As a unit, NC State has 15 sacks and 6 interceptions this season.

NC State Wolfpack Team Facts

NC State has won 24 of its last 25 games against non-conference opponents at Carter-Finley Stadium.
NC State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
NC State has won the first quarter in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Carter-Finley Stadium.
NC State has won the first half in 21 of its last 23 games against non-conference opponents at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Each of NC State’s last six games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

NC State ranked 4th among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (2.3).
NC State ranked 11th among FBS teams for H1 points allowed per game last season (8.5).
Marshall ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (3.5).
Marshall ranked 4th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (7.2).

Chris’ Pick

I get the case to be made for NC State laying the points at home as Carter-Finley can be a tough place to go on the road and get a win for anyone. However, Marshall’s no joke, as this defense has performed well for much of the season, and the Herd have an attack that can hit you from multiple angles and they already have a win over a power 5 team in Virginia Tech. Is NC State a step up from Virginia Tech? Yes, but I still think that the Herd are good enough to compete and potentially win this game as well. Give me Marshall and the points.