Day: Saturday, November 11

Time: 5:30 PM CST

Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium

Network: BEIN

Series Record: since 1996, WKU leads the series 3-1. The Hilltoppers have won the past three meetings.

Betting Line: Marhall by 12.5 (as of Friday, November 10)

Position Group Predictions

Quarterbacks

The talented Mike White and Chase Litton have found themselves in rather unfortunate circumstances.

Neither White nor Litton had a fantastic day on Saturday, November 4.

Litton and the Herd faced a FAU squad who was [and remains] unbeaten in conference play. The junior QB threw for 253 yards, 2 touchdowns, but had 4 interceptions. In the game prior, against FIU, Litton threw for 363 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.

Against Vanderbilt, White threw for 324 yards, 0 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and 1 rushing touchdown. White left the final moments of the game with an injury, and has been listed as "day-to-day." It is apparent that White has had to overcompensate for team struggles.

Hypothetically, if Drew Eckels had to step-up for the Hilltoppers, fans need not worry. Despite very little playing time, Eckels is 8-10 for 86 yards and 8.6 yards per attempt. And while that may not indicate much about his ability, Eckels has looked good when taking the field. In addition, Eckels is part of a designed quarterback run play (about 1-2 times per game).

Advantage: WKU

Running backs

There is no longer much to say regarding the Hilltopper run game. With Quinton Baker's season-ending injury, the run game's outlook is even more grim.

Tyler King leads Marshall with 114 carries, 560 rushing yards, and 5 touchdowns. Keion Davis is extremely close behind with 113 carries, 558 rushing yards, and 4 touchdowns. The Herd are averaging 149.2 rush yards per game and 4.12 yards per carry.

Marshall's rushing defense has been allowing 131.3 rush yards per game while WKU allows 189.4.

Advantage: Marshall

Receivers

WKU was without Deon Yelder and Kylen Towner on Saturday. Cam Echols-Luper dressed but did not play. Lucky Jackson - whose playing time had been minimal or none at all - definitely made a comeback: posting 135 yards. The options and play makers are undoubtedly there, however, there is uncertainty about who will play and if their efforts will be enough to make up for a lack of successful run plays. WKU has 10 players with over 100 receiving yards.

The Herd rely on Tyre Brady, Marcel Williams, Ryan Yurachek, and Willie Johnson. Brady, specifically, leads with 55 receptions for 776 yards, 14.1 yards per reception, and 7 touchdowns.

Both WKU and Marshall have solid passing defenses. The Hilltoppers come in at #25 while the Herd are #37. Marshall will be put in the tough position of defending multiple receivers on different looks. WKU will have to force turnovers to rattle Litton and the receivers, otherwise...

Advantage: Tie

Offensive Line

Like the running backs, there is simply not much more that I can say. It is telling that the Hilltoppers will, now, start two freshmen.

WKU has allowed 25 sacks on Mike White while Marshall has allowed just 4 on Chase Litton.

Advantage: Marshall

Secondary

Both secondaries will face a talented QB and receivers.

WKU's secondary is very productive with 9 interceptions and 28 pass breakups. The #25 ranked pass defense is and has been solid all season: allowing 56.0% pass completion, 6.5 yards per pass attempt, 7 passing touchdowns, and 186.4 passing yards per game.

Marshall's secondary has allowed a 54.9% pass completion rate, 6.7 yards per pass attempt, 10 passing touchdowns, and 197.3 passing yards per game.

I will give the edge to WKU just because Litton has been a little "iffy" the past two games: throwing a total of 6 interceptions.

Advantage: WKU

Linebackers

Demetrius Cain left the Vanderbilt game with a season-ending injury. This still leaves Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Daeshawn Bertram (day-to-day), Ben Holt, Der'Quione Mobley, and Jarrett Sippola. The group has neither made huge mistakes nor consistently forced key turnovers or stops. The pass rush is mediocre.

Advantage: Marshall

Defensive Line

As stated last week, WKU's defensive line without Evan Sayner is not the same. At one point, WKU's rushing defense ranked in the top 25; now, the Hilltoppers rank #86 in the category while the Herd rank #32.

Advantage: Marshall

Special Teams

Marshall ranks #17 in special teams efficiency and WKU ranks #55. Neither teams' kicker has been phenomenal: good on XP but under 60% on FG attempts. WKU punter Jake Collins averages 40.05 yards per punt; Marshall punter Kaare Vedvik averages 45.1 yards per punt. Vedvik, notably, had a 92 yard punt against Old Dominion: the longest in FBS since 1972. WKU's kick return game is, obviously, not the same nor is the punt return.

Advantage: Marshall

Both teams are searching for a win to boost morale after losing two-straight.

Marshall games, this week and weekend, are played in remembrance of those who perished in the tragic November 14, 1970 plane crash. The emotions that go into the rivalry and such a tragic event will headline the matchup.

Aside from the intangibles, Marshall will win if they take care of the football. Turnovers have been costly for the Herd as seen from the previous two games. WKU will win if they can force turnovers, force Marshall to pass, find some kind of improvement from the run game, and protect the quarterback.

The problem is that it seems as though WKU has been [somewhat] playing small ball when small ball has not been working. It only works when your defense plays lights-out AND the run game is solid.

Between the mounting injuries and lack of production in certain positions, WKU faces an uphill battle.

Prediction

1st Half: 14-14

2nd Half: 20-14

Marshall wins 34-28