After Marshall went 2-2 in non-conference play to begin the 2024 season, it wasn’t clear just how well the Thundering Herd would do.
But once they began taking on Sun Belt teams, it became incredibly obvious they were one of the best squads in the league. They went 7-1 in SBC play, going on to defeat Louisiana 31-3 in the Sun Belt Championship.
But head coach Charles Huff moved on to Southern Miss, and many of Marshall’s players entered the transfer portal. This marked a new era for the team.
Tony Gibson is now the head coach, and he’s aiming to help the Thundering Herd remain as one of the premier programs in the Sun Belt. But will Marshall be competitive this week against one of the top programs in the country?
Marshall vs. Georgia Betting Odds
Georgia is a -38.5 college football betting odds favorite against Marshall, with the Over/Under being 53.5.
Marshall vs. Georgia On TV
The matchup between Marshall and Georgia will be televised on ESPN.
The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 30. The contest is taking place at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
Marshall vs. Georgia Prediction
I predict Georgia will win and cover the 38.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 53.5 total points.
Following the coaching change, Marshall lost many of its best players from last year. That includes its starting quarterback, as Braylon Braxton is now at Southern Miss.
Marshall did have the sixth-best transfer class in the Sun Belt this offseason, according to 247Sports, and many of those newcomers will need to make critical contributions immediately if this team is going to remain competitive in a tough Sun Belt Conference.
It’s possible this Marshall team will prove some people wrong and will be competitive in the first year of the Tony Gibson era. But I think the Thundering Herd will need a week or two before finding a rhythm.
