Marshall at Boise State (Friday at 9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN 2)
Spread: Boise State -12
Fresh off of an emotional win in Tallahassee over Florida State, Boise State heads back home to the Smurf Turf to take on Marshall in one of the most intriguing Group of Five matchups of the season.
Boise State has long been one of the powerhouses of the non automatic qualifiers, and the Broncos once again proved why with their road win over Florida State. Led by true freshman quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who seems to be the latest in a long line of successful multi-year starters for Boise State, the Broncos overcame an 18-point second half deficit to stun the ‘Noles at Doak Campbell.
The win puts Boise State firmly in position to earn the Group-of-Five’s automatic bid into the New Year’s Six, but a tough schedule still awaits. There’s no rest for the weary, either, as a game Marshall squad comes to the blue turf looking to slay the Boise dragon and emerge themselves as a legitimate contender in the race for a seat at the table.
Coming off a 9-4 2018 season, the Thundering Herd was considered by many to be the favorite in the C-USA this season thanks to the return of sophomore quarterback Isaiah Green. Green and the Herd made quick work of VMI on the opening weekend, and now turn their attention toward Boise State.
This game feels like a true toss-up, with a 12-point spread feeling like an over-correction following Vegas’s misfire with Boise’s spread against Florida State in week one. Look for this to be one of the best games of the weekend, with Boise State edging out Marshall by a late field goal to earn a second consecutive marquee win.
Pick: Boise State 30, Marshall 27