Marshall (12-1) avg 45 ppg, 563 yds. (279 passing)
7th in rush, 18th in pass.
NIU (11-2) defense 57th in rush, 61st in pass.
Marshall defense allowed avg 20.8 ppg (low) and that includes the
outlier 66-67 sole loss to WKY. ( 4 int's)
NIU offense 14th in rush, 98th in pass.
Marshall defense 53rd in rush, 24th in pass.
- Herd strong pass d should force NIU to run. But can the NIU run game
outscore the Herd passing game ? doubtful.
Herd star RB Devon Johnson (Conference USA MVP)
would have broken records but sat a month
due to shoulder injury. He is playing tonight. His stats are phenomenal
and I have no idea how a 57th ranked run defense would stop him
especially with the threat of the Marshall passing game to confuse them.
indications he may be at full strength. If not, adequate 2nd back in Butler.
Although opinions differ, Senior QB Rakeem Cato could be NFL draft
caliber. He will need a strong performance tonight. Some say he is too
small at 6'0"/182lb. If Cato throws for over 300 yards tonight, he breaks
the school record for yardage, surpassing former pro Chad Pennington.
Boca Raton weather: warm, slight wind, not a factor.
what it means: Marshall's sole loss involved four interceptions, yet they still scored
66 points to lose by 1. Without Johnson, Cato was forced to make things happen.
NIU has not faced the level of offense this Marshall team brings with multiple
targets and multiple strong RB's. If indeed, Johnson is up to snuff, do not expect
NIU to be able to stop the Herd. Even if Johnson weren't playing at all, Marshall
would be favored in this game. If NIU has to play catchup, they don't have the
passing game to do it. Expecting Marshall to end their near-perfect season by
a margin of victory of 10+, making the bet MARSHALL ATS -9.5 (-110).
Buying down to -7 (-155), -6 (-188), ML (-360). or teasers etc also
recommended.
7th in rush, 18th in pass.
NIU (11-2) defense 57th in rush, 61st in pass.
Marshall defense allowed avg 20.8 ppg (low) and that includes the
outlier 66-67 sole loss to WKY. ( 4 int's)
NIU offense 14th in rush, 98th in pass.
Marshall defense 53rd in rush, 24th in pass.
- Herd strong pass d should force NIU to run. But can the NIU run game
outscore the Herd passing game ? doubtful.
Herd star RB Devon Johnson (Conference USA MVP)
would have broken records but sat a month
due to shoulder injury. He is playing tonight. His stats are phenomenal
and I have no idea how a 57th ranked run defense would stop him
especially with the threat of the Marshall passing game to confuse them.
indications he may be at full strength. If not, adequate 2nd back in Butler.
Although opinions differ, Senior QB Rakeem Cato could be NFL draft
caliber. He will need a strong performance tonight. Some say he is too
small at 6'0"/182lb. If Cato throws for over 300 yards tonight, he breaks
the school record for yardage, surpassing former pro Chad Pennington.
Boca Raton weather: warm, slight wind, not a factor.
what it means: Marshall's sole loss involved four interceptions, yet they still scored
66 points to lose by 1. Without Johnson, Cato was forced to make things happen.
NIU has not faced the level of offense this Marshall team brings with multiple
targets and multiple strong RB's. If indeed, Johnson is up to snuff, do not expect
NIU to be able to stop the Herd. Even if Johnson weren't playing at all, Marshall
would be favored in this game. If NIU has to play catchup, they don't have the
passing game to do it. Expecting Marshall to end their near-perfect season by
a margin of victory of 10+, making the bet MARSHALL ATS -9.5 (-110).
Buying down to -7 (-155), -6 (-188), ML (-360). or teasers etc also
recommended.
