December 26, 2009| 1:00 PM EST, Detroit, MI on ESPN
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Ohio Bobcats (9-4) vs Marshall Thundering Herd (6-6)
Opening Line: Ohio -3.5
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Game Preview: Evidence A that there are too many bowl games out there. Weird names, marginal teams (sorry Ohio) and a date where people are thinking more about shopping then watching. The one thin this game as going for it is that there should be plenty of leftovers in the fridge to munch on. These two used to play often before Marshall bolted to Conference USA. For what it is worth Marshall won the last 4 but Ohio covered in three of them. This time around the Bobcats are the much better team. The most impressive win among both teams was Ohio’s victory over the amazing Temple Owls.
Ohio Preview: It is amazing how things can swing in the MAC. Ohio is not all that strong a team on offense or defense but their consistency led to a very successful season. They are well coached and have a very favourable bowl matchup which is likely to lead to double digit victory season. This team is all about not making mistakes rather than wowing you with talent, in their big victory over Temple they did not turn the ball over while picking off the owls three times. This formula is more than good enough to beat Marshall but it will not be very exciting.
Marshall Preview: The Thundering Herds best win on the season was a 34-31 victory over SMU. It was the highest scoring output of the season for a team that avoids shootouts because fo their lack of firepower. They enter the bowl game missing their best weapon Cody Slate, a TE with pro potential. Thankfully they should have leading rusher Darius Marshall back. He is a little on the small side but has enough scoot to possibly play on Sundays too. The Marshall gameplan will be similar to that of Ohio. Run the pall and play smart. Its not sexy but it might keep them in the game.
Game Prediction: This game will be a battle of field position. Both teams are content to do their thing waiting for a mistake from their opponents. One TO could make the difference but if there is no advantage in that category then Ohio should win in a hard fough battle. Shooting for 10 victories is a nice goal where Marshall is not really playing for much.
Score Prediction:
Ohio – 24
Marshall – 19
Pick: Probably the only reason to watch this game is if you have a bit of action. I feel better about Ohio on the ML but if you can get them at -3 go for it.
- Ohio is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Ohio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- Ohio is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Marshall
- Ohio is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Marshall
- Marshall is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Marshall’s last 10 games
- Marshall is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Ohio
- Marshall is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Ohio
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