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GoMiddle picks MT/Marshall

Middle Tennessee State is coming out of a manufactured bye week, as last week's game against Charlotte was postponed. This week the boys in blue head to Huntington, West Virginia, to square off with the number 16 team in America, the Marshall Thundering Herd.

As always, the GoMiddle staff dissects MTSU's ballgame


Matthew Dossett (4-3 on the season)

Simply put, Marshall is 6-0 and 16th in America for a reason. They are no doubt a stout squad that seems to be the cream of the crop in Conference USA.

They haven't just been winning ballgames, they have been dominating most of their games. They defeated Eastern Kentucky 59-0, Western Kentucky 38-14, UMASS 51-10, and Louisiana Tech 35-17.

The two relatively close games were FAU 20-9 and Appalachian State 17-7.

The spread for this game is currently at 23.5. I think based off what has transpired this season, that is a fair betting line. To be honest, I do not think that Marshall covers the spread. Look for Middle to get a late score or two, making the score a respectable one.

Middle Tennessee State has never defeated a top 25 squad, and I don't see that changing this weekend.

It won't be a for a lack of effort though. I think Middle is just outmanned in this game. Not to mention that the game will take place on the 50th anniversary of the Marshall plane crash of 1970. You better believe that the team will be juiced to ball on the milestone date.

Again, MT will fight to the end, likely tacking on a late score or two, preventing Marshall from covering the spread.

Marshall: 41

MTSU: 23

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Rickey Fuquay Jr. (5-2 on the season)

After an extra bye week, Middle Tennessee travels to Huntington for a showdown against the 16th-ranked Marshall Thundering Herd.

Marshall comes into this matchup ranked in the Top 5 in every category on offense; however their defense is ranked No. 1 in C-USA in virtually every category.Even though Redshirt Junior Quarterback Asher O'Hara and Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Grant Wells are No. 1 and No. 2 in C-USA in passing yards this season while O'Hara and Redshirt

Junior Running Back and Preseason C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, Brendan Knox and O'Hara are ranked third and fourth in C-USA in rushing yards, if the Blue Raiders can't get MRSH off the field on third down, then it's going to be a long game.

Marshall: 38

MTSU: 10

Tyler Pellom (4-3 on the season)

The state of the program is pretty dire right now. On top of 6-13 the last two seasons, MT lost 3 of their last 4 in the 2018 season. So they are 7-17 over the last 24 games. The team seems to be playing hard, and that’s to the coaching staff’s credit, but fans just want change.

I wouldn’t say MT has a clear advantage in any aspect of the game. After all, this is a Top #25 team going against a 2-5 squad with two fluky wins. MT is going to have to break its pattern to keep this game close.

There are concerns all over the field for MT in this matchup. Most pointedly, Marshall has the best defense in the conference by a wide margin. MT hasn’t played a defense like this since Army to start the season - and we all know how that went.

The Vegas line is hovering around Marshall -23.5. To be honest with you, I think the Thundering Herd could name the score if they want. My guess would be MT manages to keep it semi-respectable in the first half, but Marshall pulls away at the end.

Marshall 45

MT 17

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