Gildan New Mexico Bowl Spread: 2017 College Football Bowl Odds, Prediction

Jeremy Perry | Updated Dec 13, 2017

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 14 Nevada at Colorado State

The third place team in Conference USA will face the third place team in the Mountain West when Marshall meets CSU in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl this weekend.

Marshall
7-5
AT
December 16, 2017, 4:30 PM ET
Dreamstyle Stadium
Pointspread +3.5 -110
Moneyline +140
Over / Under o +58.5

34%

Betting Action

66%

Pointspread -3.5 -110
Moneyline -165
Over / Under u +58.5

34%

Betting Action

66%

Both Marshall and Colorado State ended their regular season campaigns in disappointing fashion as Marshall dropped four of five while Colorado State lost three of four. But both teams will have a chance to change that with a bowl game win.

Marshall vs. Colorado State Spread and Betting Analysis

Marshall and Colorado State have never squared off before, so we have no series history. In terms of bowl game history, that’s important to note here as neither team had the season they wanted, and this isn’t exactly a banner bowl. However, Marshall is 4-0 in bowl games under Doc Holliday while the Rams have lost each of their last three bowl games. The Thundering Herd have not only won 10 of their last 12 bowl games, they’ve covered 10 of them too.

They are a perfect 5-0 ATS this season as an underdog while Marshall is just 3-6 ATS.

Marshall Thundering Herd

The Thundering Herd are led by a strong defense as they allowed just 19.3 points per game (2nd in Conference USA). They also led the conference in rush defense, yards a play (4.98), and red zone defense.

Although Marshall struggles on the other side of the ball, the good news is Colorado State’s defense is pretty lousy. They give up 6.2 yards per play while giving up a whopping 182.8 rushing yards per game. They finished 10th in the Mountain West in third-down defense, so there’s a good chance Marshall can keep moving the chains and keeping the Rams offense on the sidelines.

Motivation has to be a key here as Marshall has shown that they care about these games and play very well. They should cover – if not get the win outright.

Colorado State Rams

The Rams were in the conversation for a Mountain West title entering the season and they looked the part early on. They were 6-2 through eight games but the season went off course at the end of October. A 45-28 home loss to Air Force started a three-game losing streak with the losses at Wyoming and home to Boise State coming by a combined 10 points. Other than that, Colorado State’s only other losses were to in-state rival Colorado (on a neutral site) and at Alabama.

The Rams strength is their offense, which leads the Mountain West with 33.8 points per game. They’re very balanced as they pass for 289.9 yards and rush for 211.1 per game. Marshall’s defense did rank second in Conference USA in terms of defense but this will arguably be one of the most explosive offenses they’ve faced. In their games against Western Kentucky and N.C. State, Marshall gave up more than 300 yards passing in each. The Rams have an equally effective passing game, so that could spell trouble for Marshall.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl Prediction

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