Through 3 Quarters
The Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders are one quarter away from solidifying a big victory for the program. After three quarters it’s looking more and more like their high-powered offense is just too much for the Marshall Thundering Herd as the Blue Raiders lead 34-14.
Middle Tenn. and Marshall have certainly played as if they’re avenging a defeat, because they are. At this point it looks like Middle Tenn. might take this one, but there’s still plenty of time for a reversal of fortune.
Who’s Playing
Marshall @ Middle Tenn.
Current Records: Marshall 2-2; Middle Tenn. 1-3
What to Know
The Marshall Thundering Herd and the Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders are even-steven against one another since November of 2015 (3-3), but not for long. The Thundering Herd will hit the road for the second straight week as they head to Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium at 7 p.m. ET Saturday. These two teams are out to turn their luck around after having lost tight contests in their previous games.
Last week, Marshall and the Appalachian State Mountaineers were almost perfectly matched up, but Marshall suffered an agonizing 31-30 loss.
Special teams collected 12 points for Marshall. K Shane Ciucci delivered a perfect 3-for-3 game. One of the most memorable scores? A 97-yard kickoff return for touchdown from RB Rasheen Ali in the second quarter.
Speaking of close games: it was close but no cigar for Middle Tenn. as they fell 42-39 to the Charlotte 49ers last Friday. Middle Tenn. might have lost, but man — QB Chase Cunningham was a total machine. He passed for five TDs and 379 yards on 40 attempts in addition to picking up 65 yards on the ground. Cunningham’s 51-yard touchdown toss to WR DJ England-Chisolm in the third quarter made for one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
The Thundering Herd are the favorite in this one, with an expected 11-point margin of victory. The odds have been favorable for them against the spread on the road this season, even if it’s been tough sledding overall. They are 2-0 ATS in away games but only 2-1 all in all.
Marshall is now 2-2 while the Blue Raiders sit at 1-3. Two numbers to keep in mind before kickoff: Marshall is 213th worst in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game, with 216.8 on average. Middle Tenn. has experienced some struggles of their own as they are stumbling into the matchup with the 231st fewest rushing yards per game in the nation, having accrued only 71.5 on average. It’s possible one of these Achilles’ heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
How To Watch
- When: Saturday at 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium — Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- TV: STADIUM
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $30.00
Odds
The Thundering Herd are a big 11-point favorite against the Blue Raiders, according to the latest college football odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Thundering Herd as a 10.5-point favorite.
Over/Under: -112
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Series History
Middle Tenn. and Marshall both have three wins in their last six games.
- Nov 14, 2020 – Marshall 42 vs. Middle Tenn. 14
- Oct 05, 2019 – Middle Tenn. 24 vs. Marshall 13
- Oct 05, 2018 – Middle Tenn. 34 vs. Marshall 24
- Oct 20, 2017 – Marshall 38 vs. Middle Tenn. 10
- Nov 12, 2016 – Marshall 42 vs. Middle Tenn. 17
- Nov 07, 2015 – Middle Tenn. 27 vs. Marshall 24
