Our in-depth and stats-based prediction for this Week 4 college football matchup between the Marshall Football Thundering Herd and Ohio State Buckeyes will help you know what to anticipate.
Ohio State, the Big Ten favorite, returns to the field this weekend for another non-conference matchup against Marshall in Week 4 of college football.
The Buckeyes have dominated so far, outscoring opponents 108-6.
Their offense ranks 15th in passing, and 4th in scoring, and their defense leads the nation in scoring defense.
Despite these strong performances, Ohio State dropped to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 rankings, as other teams played more significant games. But with the Big Ten schedule approaching, there’s still plenty of time for them to prove themselves on the national stage.
This weekend, they face the Marshall Thundering Herd, who sit at 1-1 after a tough 31-14 loss to Virginia Tech. Marshall kept the game close, trailing by just 3 points late in the third quarter before losing control.
As Ohio State and Marshall Football meet at the Horseshoe, let’s dive into what to expect from this (Marshall vs Ohio State) matchup.
Marshall vs Ohio State Preview
Ohio State Running Backs
Ohio State is expected to build an early lead, and they’ll rely heavily on their two standout running backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Judkins has a few more carries, but both backs are averaging over 7 yards per run. This could be a problem for Marshall, which ranks 87th in the nation for rushing defense, giving up 151 yards per game.
Marshall at the line
However, don’t underestimate Marshall’s ability to rush the passer. Last week, they sacked Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones, a talented quarterback. While drones are more mobile than Ohio State’s Will Howard, Marshall Football has shown that they can apply pressure and force negative plays behind the line.
The Rookie
Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith looks NFL-ready. His size, speed, agility, and movement skills stand out immediately. Smith, the top recruit in 2024, already has 3 touchdown catches from 11 receptions. He’s on pace to score 18 touchdowns this season, which would shatter Cris Carter’s Ohio State freshman record of 8. While it’s a high bar, Smith’s early performance makes it possible.
Marshall Football 2024 Key Stats
- Marshall’s offense averages 413.5 total yards per game, placing it 60th in the FBS for 2024. On defense, the team ranks 42nd, allowing 295 total yards per game.
- The Thundering Herd gain 210.5 passing yards per game, ranking 83rd in the FBS. Defensively, they allow just 144 passing yards per game, which ranks 26th.
- Marshall scores 29.5 points per game, putting them 74th in the FBS, while defensively, they give up 17 points per game, ranking 47th.
- On the ground, the team rushes for 203 yards per game, which ranks 35th. However, they allow 151 rushing yards per game, ranking 86th.
- The team’s third-down conversion rate is 35.7%, placing them 94th in the FBS, while their defense holds opponents to a 29.7% success rate, ranking 34th.
- Marshall Football has forced just one turnover (119th in the FBS) and committed one turnover (6th in the FBS), giving them a turnover margin of 0, ranking 66th.
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Ohio State 2024 Stats
- Ohio State has dominated opponents this year, ranking in the top 25 for both total offense (eighth with 543.5 yards per game) and total defense (first with 138 yards allowed per game).
- Their passing game has been strong, ranking 16th in passing yards (322 per game) and third in passing defense (allowing only 100.5 yards per game).
- The Buckeyes excel on both sides of the ball, with their offense ranked fourth in scoring (54 points per game) and their defense allowing the fewest points in the country (just 3 points per game).
- While their rushing attack ranks 28th (221.5 yards per game), their rush defense stands out, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards in the FBS (37.5 yards per game).
- Ohio State also shines on third downs, converting 50% of their attempts (24th in the nation) and holding opponents to just a 22.6% conversion rate (eighth-best).
- Additionally, they boast a +3 turnover margin (19th-best), having forced three turnovers while committing none—ranking first in the FBS for ball security.
Marshall vs Ohio State: What You Need To Know
When facing weaker teams, it’s not enough for good teams to win—they need to dominate. Ohio State has done just that, winning 41 straight games against unranked opponents. Their last loss to an unranked team was a shocking 49-20 defeat by Purdue in 2018. Since Ryan Day took over for Urban Meyer the following season, Ohio State hasn’t looked past anyone.
Freshman WR Jeremiah Smith
One standout is Ohio State’s freshman receiver, who is already catching the attention of NFL scouts. He doesn’t look or play like a typical freshman. Despite the NFL rule that players must be three years out of high school to join the league, Smith looks ready now. In his first two games, he caught 11 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns. This performance makes him the first true freshman wide receiver to top 200 yards in his first two games. He’s also tied for fifth place, alongside Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr., for the most touchdown catches by a freshman.
Marshall’s Last Game Against A Ranked Opponent
Ohio State doesn’t struggle with unranked teams, and the Big Ten typically dominates the Sun Belt (38-4 all-time). However, don’t overlook Marshall. In 2022, they shocked everyone by defeating No. 8 Notre Dame 26-21 on the road. Could they do it again?
Ohio State vs Marshall prediction
Could Marshall Football pull off an upset in Marshall vs Ohio state matchup? Sure, it’s possible. But odds are this will be another one-sided game. The Buckeyes haven’t allowed a touchdown this season, and even if they pull their starters early, they’ve still managed to score in both of their first two games. Their nonconference schedule feels like a three-game warm-up, and they’ll likely cruise to another blowout.
Ohio State vs Marshall Betting Patterns
- Marshall Football has covered the spread in both of its first two games.
- They are also 1-0 against the spread in road games.
- Neither of Marshall’s first two games has gone over the total.
- Ohio State has covered the spread in one of its first two games.
- Both of Ohio State’s games have gone over the total.