Marshall will win if ... Marshall can recapture his early season form. If you go all the way back to September and early October, the junior had the look of a possible Conference USA Player of the Year candidate. During a four-week stretch, he went for 109, 186, 203, and 141 yards against some decent defenses, like Virginia Tech and East Carolina. The Herd needs to see that player again on Saturday night in Detroit. If Anderson is forced to become the catalyst for the offense, Marshall is in trouble. If he’s an adjunct to the ground game, though, he’s capable of providing some much-needed balance against the Bobcats. He can be effective in play-action and has access to a decent ensemble of receivers that’s gotten more reliable as the season has progressed. TE Cody Slate is the primary target, but wideouts Antavious Wilson, Aaron Dobson, and Charles Walker have all made considerable strides. Unlocking their full potential, however, requires Marshall to spearhead the attack.
Ohio will win if ... Scott has a positive impact on the outcome of the game. The senior doesn’t have to be a show-stopper, but he does have to be relevant for the Bobcats to cop that program-first bowl victory. The chains aren’t likely to be moving as a result of the 94th-ranked running game and getting the ball in the hands of Brazill, Terrence McCrae, and Taylor Price is a no-brainer. The trio of veteran receivers has caught 19 of the team’s 22 touchdown passes and will have the edge on a suspect Marshall defensive backfield. It’s incumbent upon Scott to spread the ball around, occasionally making plays with his feet, and avoiding the mistakes that plagued him in the middle of the year. It’ll help immensely that he’s had a few weeks to rest an injured ankle that severely limited his mobility and ability to plant properly in the MAC Championship game. When Scott has thrown more touchdown passes than interceptions in a game, Ohio is 6-0 this season, so his importance to the overall fortunes of the program are indisputable.
What will happen: Fueled by a little more motivation and a lot more continuity on the sidelines, Ohio is poised to hoist some bowl hardware for the first time in school history. The Bobcats simply do the little things better than the Herd, which will be the difference in a game between two relatively equal programs. Playing inspired on both sides of the ball, they’ll once again gain the upper hand in turnover margin, won’t miss many tackles, and will get an offensive spark from the special teams. With Brazill and Garrett creating good field position, and young PK Matt Weller showing off his leg, Ohio will cobble together the resources to extend drives and wear down the Marshall defense. Scott will take care of the rest, capping an underrated senior season with a couple of touchdown passes and game MVP honors.
CFN Prediction: Ohio 28 … Marshall 19 ... Line: Ohio -3
