I just got TOTALLY hosed on my Marshall ATS pick as star running back Rasheen Ali was ruled out in a complete surprise. Really, really struggle to see the Herd cover now -- or score much. So let's play this quick and hope for a split.

Marshall has lost consecutive road after beginning the season 4-0. For the Thundering Herd they have to correct a defense that has surrendered forty one points per game over their last three outings. On a short week and with James Madison coming off their best effort and win of the season, buy stock in Marshall in what should be a competitive game.

All dressed up and nowhere to go, perhaps, this unbeaten Dukes edition that's ineligible* for bowl participation because of NCAA transitioning rules (*-there is a remote scenario wherein the Dukes might qualify but we'll worry about that in November). This might be the toughest test JMU gets in the Belt, however, as the Herd has a bit of a giant killer rep and did dump the Dukes as a dog last fall at Harrisonburg. Among the victims the Herd has claimed lately at home (where Charles Huff's guys are 3-0 SU this season) is ACC Virginia Tech, and livewire QB Cam Fancher rushed for more than 100 yards (102 to be exact) in Marshall's last home game vs. ODU. Play Marshall

James Madison wields the better offense and defense. And the Dukes are giving barely a field goal? Case closed. The visitors are unbeaten straight-up this year with four consecutive covers, while Marshall has dropped two in a row outright by allowing a combined 89 points in the losses. The Herd last covered four games ago. Dukes QB Jordan McCloud rates 12th in FBS in passing efficiency, with 10 TD throws in the last three games. His counterpart, Cam Fancher, has nearly as many interceptions as TDs. The teams could not rank farther apart in rush defense. Motivation? The NCAA turned down an appeal Wednesday to grant JMU, which is ineligible, immediate bowl eligibility. This is their bowl game.

This is easily a much more interesting game in my opinion than Jaguars-Saints. James Madison has been my favorite team to back this season as the unbeaten Dukes have been a cash cow. So silly for the NCAA to not allow this excellent team to officially win the Sun Belt or play in the postseason. It's really hard to win at Marshall, where the crowd is always a factor (moonshined up). The Herd are rarely home dogs as it is. We have one of the nation's top RBs in Marshall's Rasheen Ali against easily the No. 1 run defense (but JMU struggles vs. the pass). Have to take the points and ideally this is decided on a field goal at the end.

The NCAA sucking the fun out of college kids’ sports careers? Shocking. That’s where JMU is, as the Dukes are 6-0 in their second year in the FBS, but aren’t bowl eligible because of a silly NCAA rule. The VA Attorney General even sent the NCAA a letter requesting a waiver, but it was rejected today. Ending the season ranked is JMU's only available trophy, and they're close -- sitting 26th outside the AP Poll. Models favor JMU by 4-5 points, so I'll back the Dukes in this situational spot. They have the better defense and a more balanced offense. It helps that Marshall's home-field advantage is worth only 1.6 points instead of the standard 2.5 – going 43.60% ATS at home since 2013.