By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
On Saturday afternoon, the Marshall Thundering Herd faces the Colorado State Rams in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The game will kick off at 4:30 pm on ESPN from Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Both teams come into this game with identical 7-5 records.
According to Covers.com Consensus Analysis, the Rams have a 59% chance to win this game, according to their public poll. They; however, have an 84% chance to win this game, according to their expert poll.
This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
Marshall began the season with a 6-1 record. Then, they lost four of their last five games to finish the season.
Colorado State began the season with a 6-2 record. They then lost three of their last four games.
The Thundering Herd has an FBS-record 10-2 record all-time in Bowl games. They are also 4-0 under current head coach Doc Holliday in Bowl games.
This is Marshall’s first appearance in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. They; however, have won five straight Bowl games.
Colorado State is 6-10 in Bowl games all-time. They have lost three straight Bowl games, including two straight under current head coach Mike Bobo.
The Rams have not won a Bowl game since the 2013 New Mexico Bowl when they won 48-45 over the Washington State Cougars. They are 2-0 in the New Mexico Bowl.
Marshall only has a win over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 30-23, in their last five weeks. Three of the four losses were close, except for a 41-30 loss to the Florida International University Golden Panthers.
Colorado State snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over the San Jose State Spartans in their last game. Two of the losses were close, except for a 17-point loss to the Air Force Falcons.
This game will also showcase the Rams high-scoring attack and the Thundering Herd’s stout defense. Colorado State averages 501.1 yards per game, which is good for 10th in the country, and they were the Mountain West Conference’s highest-scoring team at 33.8 points per game.
Marshall is giving up 19.3 points per game.
Colorado State is averaging 33.8 points per game. Marshall is averaging 26.3 points per game.
Chase Litton, the Thundering Herd quarterback, has gone 249 of 411 for 2,853 passing yards. He has 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Tyler King leads the running backs with 152 carries for 714 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Tyre Brady leads the receivers with 56 receptions for 777 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Nick Stevens, the Rams quarterback, has gone 259 of 407 for 3,479 passing yards. He also has 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Dalyn Dawkins, who is the nephew of NFL Legend Brian Dawkins, led the running backs with 216 carries for 1,349 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Michael Gallup leads the receivers with 94 receptions for 1,345 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
