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The James Madison Dukes (6-0, 3-0 Sun Belt) and the Marshall Thundering Herd (4-2, 1-1) meet Thursday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W. Va. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the James Madison vs. Marshall odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Thundering Herd leads the all-time series 3-0, including a 26-12 victory against the Dukes last season in Harrisonburg, Va. Marshall won outright as a 10-point underdog as the Under (48.5) connected. Prior to that conference matchup, the teams hadn’t met since 1994 in Huntington.
The Dukes are 6-for-6 straight up (SU), while covering each of the past 4 outings after going 0-2 ATS in the 1st 2 games. The Over is 2-1 in the past 3 games, too, with JMU going for 31 or more points in 5 of 6 contests.
The Herd has fallen off, losing the past 2 games after a 4-0 SU start. The defense has gone south for Marshall, allowing 35 or more points, allowing an average of 41.3 PPG during the span. It’s no surprise, the Over has cashed in 3 in a row.
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James Madison at Marshall odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): James Madison -176 (bet $176 to win $100) | Marshall +146 (bet $100 to win $146)
- Against the spread (ATS): James Madison -3.5 (-110) | Marshall +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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James Madison at Marshall picks and predictions
Prediction
James Madison 41, Marshall 25
Moneyline
JAMES MADISON (-176) is a little close to my personal limit for a singular moneyline wager. JMU is a risky play on the road in a very tough atmosphere, but the Dukes won’t be fazed after making trips to other difficult venues like Virginia, Troy and Utah State already this season.
Marshall (+146) has dropped the past 2 games against NC State and Georgia State on the road, and it has allowed 89 points in the past 2 outings. The defense cannot stop anybody, and that will be the difference here.
Against the spread
JAMES MADISON -3.5 (-110) is worth a look on the road laying the 3 and a hook, as it goes for its 5th consecutive cover. It comfortably covered a 5.5-point number in a 41-13 win over a good Georgia Southern team last time out, and it outlasted Utah State 45-38 as a 4.5-point favorite in its most recent road outing on Sept. 23.
Marshall +3.5 (-110) has failed to cover the past 3 games, and it is 2-4 ATS overall this season, including 1-2 ATS in 3 home outings. These are 2 teams going in opposite directions.
Over/Under
OVER 49.5 (-105) might be the best play on the board.
Marshall cannot stop anyone lately, allowing 35 or more points in each of the past 3 outings. That’s bad news against a James Madison offense which goes for 242.3 passing yards per game, with 34.5 PPG. Defensively, the Dukes rank No. 1 in the country against the run, allowing just 42.8 yards per game, and just 353.0 total yards per outing.
The Herd isn’t horrible against the pass, but they just cannot stop the run, allowing 191.8 yards per game, which ranks 119th in the nation.
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