Below is our Marshall vs. Bowling Green betting preview and prediction. Alongside all the current betting specifics, secure your best fantasy plays with our top DFS and college fantasy football players to watch in this contest.
Marshall vs. Bowling Green betting preview
- Spread: Marshall -16.5
- Moneyline: Marshall (-720); Bowling Green (+520)
- Over/Under: 51 points
- Game time: 5 p.m. ET
- Location: Doyt L. Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, Ohio
- Predicted weather at kick: 83 degrees, partly cloudy, winds 7-10 mph
Get on the Marshall Thundering Herd train while you still can (and while it’s cheap enough to do so). The Bowling Green Falcons can absolutely make some noise in the MAC this fall with their passing attack, but with two games of lackluster defensive prowess, the Herd has the chance to run wild in this contest.
Before we get too deep into individual matchups, it’s important to note the fantasy value and specific players to know ahead of game time.
Top DFS picks and fantasy plays
With no daily fantasy offerings available for this game, we’ve still got tips to help you lock in your college fantasy football teams. Marshall RB Khalan Laborn is a must-start, especially considering his performance against Notre Dame a week ago. Through two games and essentially a total of six quarters worth of action, Laborn has rushed for 265 yards on 43 carries and three touchdowns. He’s the team’s bell cow back and makes defenders miss at will.
- Must start: Khalan Laborn, RB, Marshall
- Could start: Talik Keaton, WR, Marshall
- Deep start: Ethan Payne, RB, Marshall
- Don’t start: Matt McDonald, QB, Bowling Green
Marshall is heavily favored for a reason. While Laborn makes sense to start, his backup is another choice in deep leagues as well. In relief duty, Payne ran for two scores and has been a factor in the receiving game as well. It’s very likely that Payne gets extended action in the fourth quarter if the game gets out of reach.
As tempting as Matt McDonald is to play, this is the most talented secondary he’ll have played against this season. Micah Abraham and Steven Gilmore are incredibly capable and likely NFL draft picks, while the underneath coverage defenders will limit BGSU’s passing attack.
Prediction for Marshall vs. Bowling Green
As mentioned, McDonald has thrown for six touchdowns in two games and proven to be a talented passer outside the numbers. He’s been dotting passes left and right, but much of it has come in mop-up duty against UCLA or in the late overtime periods against Eastern Kentucky. Despite that, he’s still only thrown for 408 yards and completed just over 50% of his throws. The rushing attack has not looked sharp at all, averaging fewer than 3.0 yards per attempt.
To defeat Marshall, the goal will certainly be playing keep away from their talented offense and QB Henry Colombi. However, given Bowling Green’s offensive sluggishness, expect the Thundering Herd to be on the field early and in the end zone often. No Notre Dame hangover can exist under coach Charles Huff, one of the risers in the industry.
The Herd win it and enter Sun Belt play primed for an SBC Championship run.
Prediction: Marshall 41, Bowling Green 13