Marshall vs. West Virginia Odds
MORGANTOWN, WV (The Spread) – No. 11 West Virginia kicks off the 2012 College Football Season against non-conference rival, Marshall, on Saturday at Noon ET on FX.
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West Virginia is making the jump to the Big 12 Conference this year after going 10-3 last season under new coach Dana Holgorsen. The Thundering Herd are in their third year under Doc Holliday. The Herd were 7-6 last season. West Virginia has won all 11 meetings with Marshall, winning by an average of 29 points.
Trends show that Marshall is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games against West Virginia. The Thundering Herd have also covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 non-conference games. West Virginia is just 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 home games and these two have combined to hit the under in their last four meetings.
Oddsmakers have made West Virginia the clear favorite in this game, giving them point spread odds of -24.5 against Marshall. The over/under odds have been set at 64.5 points (View Matchup). The point spread opened at West Virginia -23.5, and climbed up to 25 points at one point. The spread has since dropped back to -24.5.
The Mountaineers have high hopes for this season thanks to quarterback Geno Smith. The senior is back for his final season after throwing for 4,385 yards and 31 TD’s in 2011. Smith has a pair of 1,000-yard receivers back and his top four rushing threats from 2011 back as well. Look for WVU to best its 37.6 points per game average from last season. Defensively, WVU allowed 26.8 points and 348 yards per game. Those were the worst numbers since Rich Rodriguez was coach. WVU has just six starters back on defense, with only one starter back at linebacker.
Marshall should have a respectable offense this season. The Herd averaged just 21.8 points and 333 yards per game a year ago, but they have 8 starters back, including sophomore quarterback Rakeem Cato. Cato threw for 2,059 yards and 15 TD’s in 2011, and he has his top target back in Aaron Dobson. Defensively, Marshall losses its top four tacklers from last season and will have a number of new starters. Marshall gave up over 400 yards per game last season, and this season may not be much better.
In terms of Injuries, Marshall running back Tron Martinez is dealing with offseason knee surgery, but expected to play on Saturday. Smith is listed as probable for WVU as he deals with a personal issue, but he is expected to play.
The Public Bets show that betters are behind West Virginia. The Mountaineers are getting 76% of the wagers with a point spread of -24.5 against Marshall on Saturday.
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