Western Kentucky vs. Marshall Prediction, Game Preview


Western Kentucky vs. Marshall prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Hilltoppers and Thundering Herd on Saturday in Huntington, WV.


Western Kentucky vs. Marshall Game Preview

When: Saturday, Nov. 26 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV
TV Broadcast: ESPNU

The Hilltoppers (8-3, 6-1 Conference USA) had last week off, but they enjoyed an easy 45-7 home win over North Texas the last time we saw them in action. Mike White threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns, and WKU held the Mean Green to 232 total yards of offense.

Meanwhile, one week after the Thundering Herd (3-8, 2-5) cruised to a 42-17 home victory over Middle Tennessee, Doc Holliday’s squad dropped a 31-14 contest to FIU in Miami. The Herd were unable to stop the rushing duo of Alex Gardner (119 yards and two touchdowns) and Anthony Jones (121 yards and a score). Chase Litton threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns for Marshall, but he also threw two interceptions.

In last year’s contest between these two teams in Bowling Green, the Hilltoppers routed Marshall, 49-28, to claim the Conference USA East division crown. Brandon Doughty threw for 370 yards and five touchdowns, as he became the first quarterback in Division I history to have consecutive seasons with more than 4,000 yards passing and 40 touchdown throws.

What To Know About Western Kentucky

The defending C-USA champion Hilltoppers have won five in a row and control the East division because they have the head-to-head tiebreaker over Old Dominion. The ‘Toppers can lock up a spot in the conference championship game with a win over the Herd. Jeff Brohm’s team is loaded offensively behind White, running back Anthony Wales and wide receiver Taywan Taylor. Both the pass and run games are clicking. Defensively, WKU has been very susceptible to the pass, so teams need to exploit that secondary if they want any chance at an upset.

What to Know About Marshall

Litton has had a bit of an uneven year. The offense has shown that it can be prolific when the unit is not plagued by turnovers and other mistakes, and a lack of a consistent rushing attack has stymied Marshall all season. The overall level of team defense has also not been up to par. Holliday’s bunch will need a big game from Litton and the offense this week, because WKU has one of the more prolific offenses in the Group of Five. Litton has four games of over 300 yards passing, and he’ll need Deon-Tay McManus to have a similar effort to his career night last time out when he had 10 receptions for 151 yards.

Advantages

Offense: Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers are averaging 509.8 yards per game.

Defense: Western Kentucky. Holliday’s defense is giving up 454.8 yards per contest.

Special Teams: Even. Both squads have endured their share of kicking woes this season.

Coaching: Even. Holliday’s track record speaks for itself despite going through a rough year. Meanwhile, Brohm is a rising star in the coaching ranks.

Intangibles: Western Kentucky. The ‘Toppers are on a roll and ready to compete for a C-USA crown.

Matchup To Watch

White vs. Litton

Neither one of these pass defenses is very good, so whichever quarterback is more prolific while limiting the turnovers will likely be on the winning side of things.

Betting Odds

Spread: Western Kentucky -24
Over/Under: No Line (as of post)

Western Kentucky vs. Marshall Prediction

The Hilltoppers have too much offensive firepower and balance to lay an egg in this one.

Western Kentucky vs. Marshall Final Score Prediction: Western Kentucky 45, Marshall 27

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