Free NCAA Football Prediction: Thunder Herd vs. Midshipmen Odds
Looking for Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Navy Midshipmen free picks? College football betting sees the Thundering Herd taking on the Midshipmen on Saturday, September 4 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Marylan Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 1 predictions like this Marshall Navy free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 1
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Navy Midshipmen
Date: Saturday, September 4, 2021
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Thundering Herd -2.5, Midshipmen +2.5
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Marshall -137 | Navy +114
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 47
Marshall was great last season, until they weren’t. They really crashed towards the second half of the year and are looking to rebound.
Navy was the opposite. They were terrible early last year but showed some improvement as the season wore on.
These are two of the more consistent programs in their respective leagues. This game will be a good measuring stick for both.
Marshall Thundering Herd
Marshall won their first 7 games of the season thanks to a brilliant defense and strong freshman season from quarterback Grant Wells. Then it all fell apart late.
The defense stayed strong and wound up leading the nation in scoring, allowing just 13ppg but the offense dried up. They were shutout at home by Rice and then lost in the CUSA Championship Game and Camelia Bowl scoring only 23 points combined.
In comes new coach Charles Huff. He is from the Nick Saban tree but has never been a head coach at any lever before. It is a promising hire but I don’t think coaching was the problem.
There are lots of returning starters to work with – 9 on offense and 8 on defense. I am expecting the Thundering Herd to have another strong season but we have to take a wait-and-see approach with Marshall.
Navy Midshipmen
Navy is always a bit mysterious because even though we know how they are going to play it hard to know how their talent may or may not change from year to year with the way they manage their roster.
Last year the offense was really a struggle. They only averaged 177ypg on the ground which was just 4th in the AAC. Usually they are in the top 5 nationally running the ball. If they can get back to that level this team is always dangerous.
The defense was pretty good last season, or at least it was against the pass. They were tops in the conference a year ago and 10th nationally, helping their stat looks pretty decent.
The Middies are always a little light in the trenches but the secondary is strong. They have 6 of 7 starters returning in the back seven this season so success against the pass can be expected again.
Having the offseason to get ready for the triple option can make Navy a little more beatable but they are still difficult to prepare for, at least on offense.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Marshall is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
- Marshall is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Navy is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games at home
- Navy is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games at home
Free Week 1 NCAA Football Pick
I made some coin of Marshall last year but I think I gave it ll back when they collapsed late. That left a bitter taste in my mouth all offseason because they had been so good.
4* Free Week 1 NCAA Betting Pick: Marshall -2.5
I am not sure of the impact of Huff but as long as he does not try to change too much too quickly he should be just fine. The defense should be ready for what Navy wants to do.
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