Louisville Cardinals vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NCAA Football Week Four Betting Preview – September 24, 2016

Louisville Cardinals vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Preview

Where: Joan C. Edwards Stadium – Huntington, West Virginia

When: Saturday, September 24, 8:00 PM ET

Line: Louisville Cardinals (-26) at Marshall Thundering Herd (+26); total 74.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines

TV Broadcast: CBSSN

Writer’s Pick: Marshall Thundering Herd (+26)

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Betting on the Louisville Cardinals (-26)

So, is there still any doubt surrounding the Cardinals’ College Football Playoff credentials? Louisville just went out and humiliated No. 2 Florida State 63-20 last week, which has seen their AP Poll ranking rise up to No. 3, and their national title odds drop to +600.

Lamar Jackson is now well and truly the Heisman Trophy front-runner at -250 after his systematic dismantling of the Noles defense. Jackson finished with 362 total yards and accounted for five more touchdowns (four rushing). That’s now 18 touchdowns he’s accounted for in less than three games (he didn’t play in the second half in Week 1). He’s simply looked unstoppable through the first month of the season.

The Cardinals are 26-point favorites on the road, which they are all too capable of covering. They’re putting up 65 points per game, and won their lone road game thus far against Syracuse by 34 points, double the 17-point spread. They’re 3-0 ATS on the season. Meanwhile, their next opponent, Marshall, just lost at home to Akron by 27.

Jackson and co. love to hit their opponents hard early. They’re averaging nearly 42 points in the first half alone. It’s not too hard to imagine them getting off to another huge lead against the Herd and putting the game beyond reach by halftime.

Betting on the Marshall Thundering Herd (+26)

Marshall’s 10-game home winning streak was snapped last week as the Herd fell 65-38 to Akron. Don’t be fooled, though. The Herd are a tough out at home, especially when they don’t lose the turnover battle 4-1 like they did against the Zips. They’re 18-2 (13-6-1 ATS) at Joan C. Edwards Stadium over their last 20 home games.

Marshall will also be catching the Cardinals at just about the most opportune time possible. Louisville will be coming off an emotional win over Florida State, and could lead to a bit of a letdown performance from the Cards. Add the looming road game against Clemson the following week, and you have a recipe for Louisville possibly looking ahead and putting their foot off the gas against the Herd.

The Marshall offense can put points on the board, and especially so if they face a Cards defense that won’t be at its sharpest mentally. Sophomore quarterback Chase Litton has already thrown 10 touchdown passes in his first two games. He’s got decent skill position weapons surrounding him, as well as an experienced line that can keep him reasonably protected.

Writer’s Prediction

Louisville has its eyes on a much bigger prize now, and likely won’t over-exert itself ahead of a critical road trip to Clemson. The Cardinals win 42-21, but Marshall (+26) covers at home.

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