Featured Game: Missouri State Bears vs. Marshall Thunder Herd (-10/55.5)
Time: 6:00 pm ET / 3:00 pm PT
Television: ESPN+
The USC Trojans offense led by QB Jayden Maiava might be really good this season but that to me doesn’t excuse Missouri State’s defense for getting absolutely annihilated in that game last week. The Bears surrendered 73 points and nearly 600 yards of total offense to the Trojans. This week’s matchup against Marshall may look easier on paper for the Missouri State defense but the Thundering Herd offense had to deal with Georgia last week. Predictably, the Marshall offense struggled scoring just 7 points but the team lost almost everyone on both sides of the football from last year and growing pains in their first game against one of the best teams in the country were inevitable. This should be an opportunity for the fast paced, up-tempo Marshall offense under the direction of their new offensive coordinator Rod Smith (who was OC at Jacksonville State under Rich Rod prior to this season) to gain some traction and perform much better against a bottom tier Missouri State defense. I like the Missouri State offense which is the team’s strength and they have a very experienced QB in Jacob Clark leading them. Marshall’s defense is starting over and I look at this game as an opportunity for the Bears to rev up their offensive attack and score their share of points. I’m betting the Over in this game with a very achievable total in the mid 50’s.
Pick: Missouri State/Marshall Over 55 -110