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.
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
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 9 Dec 7:26pm | MRSH | -5.5 -110 | O +58 -110 |
Closing 16 Dec 6:37pm | MRSH | -3.5 -110 | O +59 -110 |
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.
Injuries
Marcel Williams (WR)
Malik Gant (S)
Ryan Bee (DL)
Omari Cobb (LB)
Sandley Jean-Felix (OL)
Tyre Brady (WR)
Nathaniel Devers (OL)
Channing Hames (DL)
Nyquan Harris (DL)
Jaylon McClain-Sapp (DB)
Tyler Bjorklund (OL)
Jakob Buys (DL)
Olabisi Johnson (WR)
Richard King (DL)
Dalyn Dawkins (RB)
Izzy Matthews (RB)
Toby McBride (DL)
Detrich Clark (WR)
Jamal Hicks (S)
Shun Johnson (CB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marcel Williams (WR) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 14 / 12 / 17 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Williams has been bothered by an unspecified injury but is expected to be available against Colorado State for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. |
|||||
Malik Gant (S) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 06 / 12 / 17 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Gant is expected to suit up against Colorado State for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl despite an unspecified injury. |
|||||
Ryan Bee (DL) | Ques Sat | Suspension - 19 / 11 / 17 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Bee has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Southern Mississippi and it is unknown if he will be available during the second half. |
|||||
Omari Cobb (LB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Cobb is dealing with an unspecified injury and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Southern Mississippi. |
|||||
Sandley Jean-Felix (OL) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 13 / 11 / 17 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Jean-Felix has missed the last two games for undisclosed reasons and his status for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Colorado State is unknown. |
|||||
Tyre Brady (WR) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Brady missed the last two games for undisclosed reasons but is expected to be available for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Colorado State. |
|||||
Nathaniel Devers (OL) | Out indefinitely | Suspension - 31 / 10 / 17 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
Devers has been issued an indefinite suspension for his role in an off-field incident. |
|||||
Channing Hames (DL) | Ques Fri | Leg - 29 / 10 / 17 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
Hames has a leg injury and it is uncertain if he will suit up against FAU on Friday. |
|||||
Nyquan Harris (DL) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 25 / 10 / 17 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
Harris has been sidelined for undisclosed reasons and it is unclear when he might return to action. |
|||||
Jaylon McClain-Sapp (DB) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 22 / 10 / 17 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
McClain-Sapp has missed the last three games with an ankle injury and it is unknown if he will suit up Saturday against Texas San Antonio. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tyler Bjorklund (OL) | Ques Sat | Concussion - 14 / 11 / 17 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Bjorklund missed the last game with concussion-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will play in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Marshall. |
|||||
Jakob Buys (DL) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Buys has an unspecified injury, leaving his status unclear against San Jose State on Saturday. |
|||||
Olabisi Johnson (WR) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 14 / 11 / 17 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Johnson is working his way through concussion protocol but is expected to be cleared prior to Saturday's game against San Jose State. |
|||||
Richard King (DL) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
King has an unspecified injury and his status is unclear for Saturday's matchup with San Jose State. |
|||||
Dalyn Dawkins (RB) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 12 / 11 / 17 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
Dawkins is dealing with an unspecified injury but will likely play against San Jose State on Saturday. |
|||||
Izzy Matthews (RB) | Prop Sat | Collarbone - 10 / 11 / 17 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
Matthews broke his collarbone but is expected to return for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Marshall. |
|||||
Toby McBride (DL) | Ques Sat | Back - 28 / 10 / 17 | 0-6 | 3-3 | + - |
McBride missed the last four games with a back injury and it is unknown if he will play in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Marshall. |
|||||
Detrich Clark (WR) | Ques Sat | Shoulder - 22 / 10 / 17 | 0-6 | 3-3 | + - |
Clark has a shoulder injury and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Air Force. |
|||||
Jamal Hicks (S) | Out indefinitely | Arm - 22 / 10 / 17 | 0-6 | 3-3 | + - |
Hicks is dealing with an arm injury and there is no timetable for recovery. |
|||||
Shun Johnson (CB) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 22 / 10 / 17 | 0-6 | 3-3 | + - |
Johnson is battling an ankle injury, leaving his status for Saturday's game against Air Force undecided. |
Gildan New Mexico Bowl Prediction
-
THUNDERING HERD
30 -
RAMS
34
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 9 Dec 7:26pm MRSH -5.5 -110 O +58 -110 Closing 16 Dec 6:37pm MRSH -3.5 -110 O +59 -110 -
Injuries
Marcel Williams (WR)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 12 / 17Malik Gant (S)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 06 / 12 / 17Ryan Bee (DL)
Ques Sat Suspension - 19 / 11 / 17Omari Cobb (LB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17Sandley Jean-Felix (OL)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 13 / 11 / 17Tyre Brady (WR)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17Nathaniel Devers (OL)
Out indefinitely Suspension - 31 / 10 / 17Channing Hames (DL)
Ques Fri Leg - 29 / 10 / 17Nyquan Harris (DL)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 25 / 10 / 17Jaylon McClain-Sapp (DB)
Ques Sat Ankle - 22 / 10 / 17Tyler Bjorklund (OL)
Ques Sat Concussion - 14 / 11 / 17Jakob Buys (DL)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17Olabisi Johnson (WR)
Prob Sat Concussion - 14 / 11 / 17Richard King (DL)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17Dalyn Dawkins (RB)
Prob Sat Concussion - 12 / 11 / 17Izzy Matthews (RB)
Prop Sat Collarbone - 10 / 11 / 17Toby McBride (DL)
Ques Sat Back - 28 / 10 / 17Detrich Clark (WR)
Ques Sat Shoulder - 22 / 10 / 17Jamal Hicks (S)
Out indefinitely Arm - 22 / 10 / 17Shun Johnson (CB)
Ques Sat Ankle - 22 / 10 / 17Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Marcel Williams (WR) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 12 / 17 0-1 1-0 + - Williams has been bothered by an unspecified injury but is expected to be available against Colorado State for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
Malik Gant (S) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 06 / 12 / 17 0-1 1-0 + - Gant is expected to suit up against Colorado State for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl despite an unspecified injury.
Ryan Bee (DL) Ques Sat Suspension - 19 / 11 / 17 1-1 1-1 + - Bee has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Southern Mississippi and it is unknown if he will be available during the second half.
Omari Cobb (LB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 19 / 11 / 17 1-1 1-1 + - Cobb is dealing with an unspecified injury and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Southern Mississippi.
Sandley Jean-Felix (OL) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 13 / 11 / 17 1-2 1-2 + - Jean-Felix has missed the last two games for undisclosed reasons and his status for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Colorado State is unknown.
Tyre Brady (WR) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 17 1-2 1-2 + - Brady missed the last two games for undisclosed reasons but is expected to be available for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Colorado State.
Nathaniel Devers (OL) Out indefinitely Suspension - 31 / 10 / 17 4-3 2-5 + - Devers has been issued an indefinite suspension for his role in an off-field incident.
Channing Hames (DL) Ques Fri Leg - 29 / 10 / 17 4-3 2-5 + - Hames has a leg injury and it is uncertain if he will suit up against FAU on Friday.
Nyquan Harris (DL) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 25 / 10 / 17 4-3 2-5 + - Harris has been sidelined for undisclosed reasons and it is unclear when he might return to action.
Jaylon McClain-Sapp (DB) Ques Sat Ankle - 22 / 10 / 17 4-3 2-5 + - McClain-Sapp has missed the last three games with an ankle injury and it is unknown if he will suit up Saturday against Texas San Antonio.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tyler Bjorklund (OL) Ques Sat Concussion - 14 / 11 / 17 0-2 1-1 + - Bjorklund missed the last game with concussion-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will play in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Marshall.
Jakob Buys (DL) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17 0-2 1-1 + - Buys has an unspecified injury, leaving his status unclear against San Jose State on Saturday.
Olabisi Johnson (WR) Prob Sat Concussion - 14 / 11 / 17 0-2 1-1 + - Johnson is working his way through concussion protocol but is expected to be cleared prior to Saturday's game against San Jose State.
Richard King (DL) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 17 0-2 1-1 + - King has an unspecified injury and his status is unclear for Saturday's matchup with San Jose State.
Dalyn Dawkins (RB) Prob Sat Concussion - 12 / 11 / 17 0-3 1-2 + - Dawkins is dealing with an unspecified injury but will likely play against San Jose State on Saturday.
Izzy Matthews (RB) Prop Sat Collarbone - 10 / 11 / 17 0-3 1-2 + - Matthews broke his collarbone but is expected to return for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Marshall.
Toby McBride (DL) Ques Sat Back - 28 / 10 / 17 0-6 3-3 + - McBride missed the last four games with a back injury and it is unknown if he will play in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Marshall.
Detrich Clark (WR) Ques Sat Shoulder - 22 / 10 / 17 0-6 3-3 + - Clark has a shoulder injury and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Air Force.
Jamal Hicks (S) Out indefinitely Arm - 22 / 10 / 17 0-6 3-3 + - Hicks is dealing with an arm injury and there is no timetable for recovery.
Shun Johnson (CB) Ques Sat Ankle - 22 / 10 / 17 0-6 3-3 + - Johnson is battling an ankle injury, leaving his status for Saturday's game against Air Force undecided.