Almost 3/4 of the public bettors like the home team in the 2019 Marshall at Boise State free pick. The Broncos will host the Thundering Herd on the famed blue turf at Albertson’s Stadium on Friday night. Both squads started off the 2019 campaign with a win, with Boise State’s a bit more impressive with a win over Florida State as +6.5 underdogs. Can the Broncos get another big win in their home opener as 12 point favorites?
Any Chance at a Marshall Upset?
The Thundering Herd have high hopes for the 2019 season after going 9-3 a year ago and getting a win in the Gasparilla Bowl over South Florida. Marshall returns 7 starters on offense including quarterback Isaiah Green, who won C-USA freshman of the year honors in 2018. Green threw for 238 yards and 4 TD in the week one win over VMI.
Marshall won their week one game over Virginia Military 56-17 but as -44 point home favorites. The Thundering Herd returned 4 offensive line starters from a year ago and the newcomer Josh Bell is a 350 pound transfer from Florida State. The Marshall running game looked very solid in week one with 280 yards on 46 carries led by Tyler King who ran for 75 yards on just 10 carries.
The Thundering Herd have the versatile offense to contend in the 2019 Marshall at Boise State free pick. Marshall also tied for 25th overall in defensive yardage allowed a year ago including being 8th in the country against the run. VMI was completely contained by the Herd defense last week, running for just 56 yards on 27 carries.
Boise State In a Possible Letdown Spot?
The Broncos looked very good in week one, holding Florida State scoreless in the 2nd half en route to a 36-31 win as +6.5 road underdogs. It was an especially big victory for BSU as they had to replace QB Brett Rypien who graduated as the all-time leading passer in the Mountain West a year ago. Hank Bachmeier has taken over the reins and went 30 of 51 for 407 yards vs. the Seminoles.
Boise State is just 7-16 ATS in their last 23 home games. The Broncos looked very vulnerable early last week vs. FSU, falling down 21-6 in the 1st quarter. Boise looked soft against the pass in week one as Seminoles QB James Blackman went 23/33 for 327 yards and 3 TD. The Broncos do return 7 defensive starters from a year ago from a unit that was in the top 30 in scoring. The Broncos also held Florida State to 99 yards rushing on 28 carries.
Top Trends:
- Thundering Herd are 7-3 ATS last 10 Friday games
- Thundering Herd are 4-10 ATS last 14 games on fieldturf
- Broncos are 5-2 ATS last 7 non-conference games
- Broncos are 7-16 ATS last 23 home games
2019 Marshall at Boise State Free Pick
Two solid defenses square off on Friday night even though each team’s QB had a big opening week. There’s a lot of public action on Boise State and plus Marshall is a bit underrated. That being said, it seems like the Broncos could either open this one up by 28+ points or get in a dog fight and squeak out a field goal win in a letdown game. The combination of the defenses as well as two teams that like to run the ball trend towards a lower scoring game – especially with a total that is on the high side.
Pick: Marshall / Boise State *Under*57
