College football in West Virginia is over following a disappointing loss to Oklahoma. However, there is one game still to be played. Marshall faces Virginia Tech in a game that was rescheduled from earlier in the year.
Marshall (8-3) at Virginia Tech (5-6)
Line: Virginia Tech -4
Marshall came up just short in its quest to reach the Conference USA championship game, but the Thundering Herd will take the field one more time. Marshall visits Virginia Tech on Saturday in a game that was originally scheduled to be played in Week 3 but got canceled due to Hurricane Florence.
Virginia Tech opened as a four-point favorite at home and the Hokies do have more to play for on Saturday. While Marshall has secured a bowl bid after finishing in second place in Conference USA’s East division, Virginia Tech needs to beat the Thundering Herd to become bowl eligible.
It won’t be easy for the Hokies. Marshall comes in riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Florida International last week, 28-25. The Thundering Herd were hoping a win over FIU would get them into the Conference USA championship game but they needed Middle Tennessee to lose to UAB. The Blue Raiders won 27-3 and the two teams will now meet again Saturday for the conference title.
Marshall is playing its best football of the season and they showed how well-wounded they are in the win over FIU. The Thundering Herd scored in all three phases of the game, recording a special teams touchdown off of a blocked punt, a pick-six from defensive back Omari Cobb, while quarterback Isaiah Green threw two touchdown passes in the victory.
Marshall has been a good road team this year going 4-1 straight up but the Thundering Herd are just 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in those games. Virginia Tech is coming off its biggest victory of the season over rival Virginia, 34-31, as a 4-point underdog. The Hokies have uncharacteristically struggled in Blacksburg this year, going 2-4 straight up and ATS. Virginia Tech is just 1-6 ATS in its last seven games.
Neither team has been profitable to bettors this year, each going 4-7 ATS in 11 games.
West Virginia (8-3): Off
The Mountaineers’ regular season ended in disappointing fashion last week with a 59-56 home loss to Oklahoma as a three-point underdog. A win would have put West Virginia in the Big 12 championship game versus Texas. Oklahoma will advance instead to try and avenge its only loss of the season.
West Virginia finished the regular season 8-3 straight up and 6-3-2 ATS. The Mountaineers did close the season by losing back-to-back games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State where they allowed a total of 104 points. West Virginia will need to try to regroup for its bowl game. Their opponent will be announced on Sunday.