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Understanding Public and Money
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Expert Picks
If there's a best time to play a service academy, it's in Week 1 as you get extra time to prepare for the triple option in the offseason. Navy's unresolved quarterback issues and smallish front should give Marshall significant edges entering this game. I missed the best line at -2.5 but am still comfortable at a full field goal. This should be a low-scoring game with the Thundering Herd defense standing out as the stars of the day.
Not sure I would go as far as Micah Roberts in saying that this is the biggest Week 1 mistake on the board spread-wise, but I do agree the Thundering Herd should be favored a bit more so let's get this while it's under 3. They were spectacular against the run last year and bring nearly everyone back on that side of the ball -- plus add a few transfers. Getting essentially all offseason to prepare for that one-dimensional Navy rush attack is a huge plus as opposed to having to do so in a week during a season. Marshall also has a pretty good QB in Grant Wells, who in 2020 was the first Conference USA quarterback in history to early first team all-league honors. The Middies are 1-4 in their past five as dogs.
This is one of the biggest mistakes on the board in Week 1, as Marshall should be favored by more than a touchdown. Navy doesn’t have much experience returning from 2020's 3-7 squad - just four players on offense, and not the quarterback. Marshall has a new head coach in Charles Huff, but offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey and QB Grant Wells both are back from a club that began last season with seven straight wins. Eight starters return from the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense (13 ppg) in 2020. It shouldn’t be close. Take Marshall to cover.