The Marshall Thundering Herd and the Penn State Nittany Lions meet in week 1 college football action from Beaver Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction.
Marshall Thundering Herd Team Preview
The Marshall Thundering Herd come into the 2026 season looking to build on year two under Tony Gibson, going 5-7 overall including 3-5 in Sun Belt conference play. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson is back after throwing for 2,043 yards, 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 2025. Demarcus Lacey is gone after leading the Herd’s receiving group, but Toby Payne is back after logging 37 catches last season. Jamarion Wilcox transfers in from Kentucky and Josiah McLaurin comes in from Maryland to give the Herd a new look in the backfield. On defense, Braydin Ward is back to lead the pass rush after logging 5 sacks last season while Eddie Pleasant comes in from Buffalo and Terrente Hinton (NC State) come in to lead Marshall’s secondary.
Penn State Nittany Lions Recap
The Penn State Nittany Lions come into the 2026 campaign with a new look after bringing in Matt Campbell from Iowa State following the firing of James Franklin thanks to a frustrating 7-6 season including a 3-6 mark in Big Ten conference play, a disastrous season by Penn State’s standards. Along with Campbell from the Cyclones comes his QB in Rocco Becht, who threw for over 9,200 yards and 64 TDs in his time in Ames. Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen both join Becht from Iowa State at wide receiver. On defense, D’Anton Lynn comes in at DC and Audavion Collins and Daryus Dixson make up quite the pair in Penn State’s secondary.
Marshall Thundering Herd @ Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win
- Penn State has won each of its last 31 games against non-conference opponents at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
- Marshall has lost four of its last five games.
- Penn State has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
- Marshall has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four road games.
- Penn State has won the first quarter in 17 of its last 18 games against non-conference opponents at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
- Penn State has won the first half 26 of its last 27 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Marshall Thundering Herd will win
- Marshall has won 12 of its last 13 season openers.
- Penn State has lost three of its last four home games.
- Marshall has covered the spread in each of its last 10 road openers.
- Penn State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games as an AP-ranked team.
- The road team has won the first quarter in four of Marshall’s last five games.
- The road team has won the first half in each of Marshall’s last six games.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Marshall’s last eight games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of Penn State’s last four home openers have gone OVER the total points line.
Penn State Nittany Lions Player Prop Facts
- Carson Hansen has recorded 100+ rushing yards in five consecutive games – equal-longest streak in the FBS.
Marshall Thundering Herd Player Prop Facts
- DeWain Trotter ranked T7th amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Penn State ranked 6th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (10.8).
- Penn State ranked T8th among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters last season (+4.9).
- Marshall ranked 127th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game last season (261.7).
- Marshall ranked 119th among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game last season (7.6).
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction
I’m on Marshall and the points here. Matt Campbell had issues putting teams away when it came to inferior competition when he was at Iowa State and this is a Marshall team with arguably the best QB in the Sun Belt in Del Rio-Wilson. This is a well coached Marshall team that I think can take advantage of Penn State’s learning curve and I think that the points are where it’s at so give me Marshall and the points here.