The Rice Owls (1-2 overall, 1-2 CUSA) visit the Marshall Thundering Herd (7-0, 4-0) Saturday for a noon ET game in Huntington, W. Va. Below, we analyze the Rice-Marshall college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Marshall is No. 15 in the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Rice at Marshall: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rice +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200) | Marshall -3334 (bet $3,334 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rice +23.5 (-110) | Marshall -23.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 44.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rice at Marshall: Three things to know
- Saturday is, hopefully for all concerned, a breakthrough oasis in what has been a COVID-19 desert for both gridiron programs. Due to pandemic-related postponements and cancelations, Rice played just once in November. Marshall is looking to get in its first game since Nov. 14.
- These two Conference USA foes met last year in Houston (Nov. 2). Marshall defeated Rice 20-7 in a game comprised of just 612 yards of total offense. Herd RB Brenden Knox clocked a 130-yard rushing game in that contest. Knox has run for 744 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and 9 rushing scores in 2020.
- The Thundering Herd have allowed just 10.1 points per game which ranks first in FBS and marks a jump of 46 places in those defensive standings (MU ranked 47th in 2019). The Herd’s 2020 strength of schedule — especially on the offensive side of the ball — has fed into that top ranking. In its seven games, Marshall played an FCS foe (Eastern Kentucky) and four teams that rank 100th or lower in points scored.
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Rice at Marshall: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Marshall 38, Rice 13
Money line (ML)
PASS. Marshall is the lean, but the tag of -3334 equates to a 97.09% implied win probability. That’s no feet in bounds.
Against the spread (ATS)
Marshall likes to run the ball with a 59%-41% mix in its play calls. The Herd are capable of moving the chains and producing big plays through the air. The projected game flow and run/pass matchups peg a Marshall cover in a higher scoring game than what would settle into a 44.5-point total.
MU has twice this year covered 20-something spreads at home. BACK THE THUNDERING HERD -23.5 (-110) TO COVER THIS ONE.
Over/Under (O/U)
TAKE THE OVER 44.5 (-115). Some regression in some hidden factors (red-zone efficiency, field position, turnovers) make for a game with a little bit of Marshall lean in early back-and-forth action. enough to drive a total into the 50s.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]