Marshall Thundering Herd vs S. Miss Golden Eagles Point Spread Picks

Marshall's three quarterbacks have combined for 17 TDs and three picks while the ground attack averages 5.6 yards per carry anchored by RB A.J. Turner (766 yards, 9.2 ypc). The Thundering Herd have won four of five after topping UL-Monroe last week, 28-23. Marshall is on an 8-3-1 ATS run. By contrast, Southern Miss quarterbacks have combined for four TDs and 10 interceptions. The Golden Eagles have lost six in a row with a defense that ranks 121nd in the nation in points surrendered (37.3 per game) and 112th in yards given up (436.3 per game). Play Marshall.

Marshall is not Thundering on offense lately, with QB Chase Litton throwing 10 TDs and seven picks his last five games. Their top two running backs are averaging just 4.1 yards per carry. They also are not winning many games, winless on the road while scoring 27 and 21 points. Marshall was an 8.5-favorite at home last week and scored 24 points in a loss to Charlotte. Marshall is 7-3 UNDER the total after a defeat, plus 20-9 UNDER after getting fewer than 100 yards rushing in their previous game. They face a Southern Mississippi defense that has played better than the stats suggest and played a pair of games against the SEC already, including last week's 45-10 loss at LSU. Southern Mississippi is 7-3 UNDER the total against a team with a losing record. Last year's game sailed UNDER in a 31-10 Marshall win as Southern Miss had seven second-half possessions, all of which ended with a fumble, an interception or a turnover on downs. Marshall won despite just 163 yards passing on offense and 114 yards rushing, only 3.3 yards per carry. Take this one to finish UNDER.

The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles were a staple during Bowl season for a decade and a half, but have recently fallen on hard times. Their last Bowl season was in 2011 and they have been 7-34 since. The good news is that three of those wins have come this season, and they are an under-the-radar 5-0 ATS. Despite averaging over 40 points per game they have played three of the five to the UNDER. Marshall has some history of their own. The Thundering Herd has been a good scoring team, but they have also had a strong defense, allowing just 20.2 ppg over their last 19 played. The team has also held two opponents to just seven points this season, with the UNDER producing a winner in three of their last four. Southern Miss has played four of their last five on the road to the UNDER, as well as five of their last seven within the conference to the UNDER. The Herd is riding in at 8-2 UNDER in their last 10 at home vs. a team with a winning road record, and a perfect 5-0 to the UNDER when following a spread success. Only one way to go in this one - the UNDER gets the call.