Twitter thoughts:
Marshall @ USF (+2.5/55.5) Notice the @ instead of v. Yep, USF rewarded with a bowl trip to their home stadium. What a collapse down the stretch for USF. 7-0, ranked and then finish on five-game-skid. Fourth bowl in row for USF, playing at home. Where is motivation?USF avg 29 ppg but in the 5 game skid they scored 36, 15, 23, 17, 10. Marshall has second best defense of the group, somehwere in middle seems like a fairly optimistic output forecast for USF against a Marshall def that allows 22 PPG. USF may be without QB Blake Barnett again. Their collapse down the stretch has coincided with his injury. They will have a new OC as massively overrated Sterlin Gilbert will be the new HC at McNeese. USF rush defense is bottom 25 and pass defense is average. Theyve allowed 27+ in last 6 games. Remedy for bad Marsh off. The issues for Marshall start at QB. Theyve tried two guys this year and both have been very disappointing. QB shouldnt have to do much here though as they should have lotta success running it. They are avg rush off and below avg pass off. Good for the matchup. With USF having QB issues, they will want to rely on their ground game. Problem is, Marshall has an elite rush defense, raw top 10 statistically. They arent bad in the secondary, they just get tested there more than they do against run. Holliday is v good bowl coach, 5-0 SU+ATS. Third bowl game in past four years for Marshall's seniors. I think they have to be the more motivated team, considering USF is playing at home in a meaningless game. WR Tyre Brady will be drafted and has said he will be playing for Marshall in the game. Thats very significant. The other good news is that Marshall may be getting Tyler King back at RB (My note - still ?) , who has been sorely missed. He's very dynamic and could have a field day against this defense. Marshall has ST and big coaching edges. I havent bet Marshall (My note, now I have) and I'm still plotting how I want to approach it. There are some props I could see getting my attention, I could be convinced to take a USF team total under with a likely first time play caller in Shaun King (Yep, of Tulane and Bucs). Weather is now going to impact the game with it being wet and sloppy, thats a huge edge to Marshall. (My updated weather note) I'll go with a 30-17 Marshall win.