Marshall Thundering Herd vs Ohio Bobcats: Despite nearly 68% of the public betting on Ohio in this one, the line has actually moved in the Bobcats’ favor. Starting at 3.5 this game has actually come down to a more user-friendly 3 point spread for the favorites. Interesting, always.
But Ohio has been solid this season. They are 9-4 straight up and against the spread, playing good football at home (4-2) but even better football on the road (5-1) which I think is always a nice thing to have on your side come the Bowl Season – because, in a way, these are all road games. Ohio came in winning 4 of their last 5 games, including a tough loss to end their non-bowl season (10-20 @ Central Michigan – a game they covered). In fact, the Bobcats have covered 4 straight and 8 of their last 10 contests. They’ve played well against solid competition, losing by just 10 to a very good Central Michigan team, and lost by only 11 to Tennessee. They might not score much, but they can play.
Marshall comes in losers in 5 of their last 8, and more recently 3 of their last 4 games. They’ve played their best football against bad teams, and it’s tough to see them coming out and being tough against the Bobcats. Marshall is 6-6 straight up, 6-5 ATS, but just 2-4 on the road this season. They give up 3 more points per game than they score, which is never something I like to have on the team I’m picking. These teams are fairly equal, but I have to take the one winning the intangibles – and that’s Ohio.
Marshall Thundering Herd vs Ohio Bobcats (-3)