James Madison Dukes vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Pick ATS
Date:
October 19, 7:00 pm
Location:
Joan C. Edwards Stadium
TV:
ESPN
Betting Odds
Point Spread:
James Madison -3.5
Moneyline:
James Madison -165 / Marshall +140
Total:
52
Thursday Night College Football Betting Preview
The Sun Belt Conference offers up a key game to watch and bet when undefeated James Madison meets Marshall Thursday night in Huntington.
The Dukes, who just joined FBS ball last season, ride a nine-game winning streak into Thursday night. The Thundering Herd, on the other hand, are trying to snap a two-game losing skid.
NCAAF Betting Odds
This week's college football betting market opened James Madison as a four-point road favorite for Thursday night, with an over/under of right around 52. Early betting action then edged that spread down to -3.5.
James Madison-Marshall Betting Preview
The Dukes are 6-0 overall this season and 3-0 in Sun Belt play after beating a decent Georgia Southern team last Saturday 41-13.
James Madison only out-gained the Eagles 384-368 but converted 14/23 on 3rd- and 4th-downs and won the turnover battle 3-0.
James Madison returned 13 starters this season from a team that played 6-2 in the SBC last season. The Dukes had to replace several key guys on offense but the drop-off in production - 53 yards per game - hasn’t affected their win/loss record. At least not yet.
Meanwhile, the Thundering Herd are 1-1 in conference play after falling at Georgia State last week 41-24.
Marshall produced 457 yards of total offense but gave up 474 yards of GSU offense.
Marshall started 4-0 this season, including a win over Virginia Tech of the ACC. The Herd then allowed over 400 yards of offense in a 48-41 loss to North Carolina State, then lost to Georgia State.
James Madison-Marshall History
These teams met for the first time as FBS foes last season, a 26-12 Marshall victory at JMU.
The Herd out-gained the Dukes that day 326-247, although we should point out James Madison played without its starting QB.
College Football Betting Trends
James Madison is 14-3 SU, 11-6 ATS since joining FBS last season.
Totals Report
The totals are split 3-3 in Dukes games this season, which are averaging 56 total points.
The overs are 4-2 in Herd games, which are averaging 59 points.
James Madison vs Marshall Free College Football Pick
These teams look very close in talent and ability, but one thing sticks out to us; James Madison, thanks mainly to a stiff run defense, is out-rushing opponents by 112 YPG this season while Marshall is getting out-rushed 36 YPG. And when one team is stuffing the run and the other is getting run over, that means a lot to us. We like the Dukes for Thursday night, minus the points.
Free Pick:
Take James Madison -3.5
