Matchup: Marshall Thundering Herd vs MTSU Blue Raiders
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Venue: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, TN
Broadcast: ESPN+
Betting Odds: Blue Raiders (+2.5)
Over/Under Total: 47
The Marshall Thundering Herd, currently 1-2, are traveling to Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium this Saturday, September 20, 2025, to take on the MTSU Blue Raiders, who also hold a record of 1-2. Marshall enters this face-off as 2.5-point favorites, with a combined total set at 47 points.
Marshall’s Thundering Herd comes into this match with a 1-2 season record. Their previous game ended with a decisive victory over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, with a score of 38-7. Throughout that matchup, Marshall executed 71 plays, racking up a total of 377 yards. The team showcased a strong ground game, amassing 263 rushing yards on 57 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Defensively, they were formidable against the run, allowing merely 11 yards on 28 attempts, which equates to just 0.4 yards per carry. In the passing game, they permitted 8 completions on 24 attempts, yielding 91 yards and a completion rate of 33.3%.
In terms of offensive production, the Thundering Herd are averaging 21.7 points per game. They are currently putting up an average of 177.3 rushing yards, placing them 63rd in college football. To date, they have garnered a total of 858 yards this season. In the red zone, Marshall has scored 2 touchdowns via the air and 6 on the ground. The team has achieved 40 first downs and faced 19 penalties totaling 157 yards, with 3 turnovers recorded.
Defensively, Marshall ranks 84th nationally, allowing 24.3 points per game. The team permits an average of 3.1 yards per carry, with 112.0 rushing yards given up per game, totaling 336 rushing yards over three contests. In the aerial game, the Thundering Herd have given up 728 passing yards, putting them at 105th overall. They allow 242.7 yards per game through the air, with a completion percentage of 55.6%. In total, their yardage allowed averages 354.7 per game, placing them 79th nationally. They have surrendered 7 touchdowns through passing and 3 on the ground.
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The MTSU Blue Raiders enter this matchup with a 1-2 record. Their last outing ended in a close victory against the Nevada Wolf Pack, winning 14-13. The Blue Raiders finished that game amassing 352 yards off 75 plays, averaging 4.7 yards per play. On the ground, they averaged 3.5 yards per carry, with 105 rushing yards achieved from 30 attempts. Defensively, they allowed 203 rushing yards from 35 carries, or 5.8 yards per rush, while their secondary registered a 56.0% completion rate, yielding 166 yards on 14 completions out of 25 attempts.
Scoring has been a challenge for the Blue Raiders, currently ranked 129th nationally with an average of just 12.7 points per game. They also struggle offensively, averaging 248.7 yards per game, placing them at 132nd in Division 1. The MTSU offense has incurred 125 penalty yards across 15 violations, ranking them 88th in college football. They have thrown 2 interceptions while accumulating 50 first downs. This season, the Blue Raiders have recorded 564 passing yards, averaging 188.0 yards passing per game, ranking them 98th nationally, and are averaging only 60.7 rushing yards with a total of 182 on the ground.
Defensively, MTSU has allowed 506 rushing yards (168.7 yards per game), as well as 5 rushing touchdowns this season. They have also conceded 6 passing touchdowns, allowing 214.0 yards per game, which puts them at 77th in the country. Overall, they have given up 89 points and their defense has seen 1 fumble and 3 interceptions. The Blue Raiders’ defense has participated in 192 plays so far, landing them at the 68th spot in Division 1. With an average of 29.7 points allowed per game, they rank 108th nationally.
Who will emerge victorious in this Thundering Herd vs. Blue Raiders college football clash against the spread?
My Prediction: Bet on the Blue Raiders +2.5
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