navy-cbs.jpg
Getty Images

Marshall (3-3) and North Texas (1-4) will duel it out on Friday night in front of the Mean Green faithful. The Thundering Herd have the second-ranked offense in Conference USA with 514.7 total yards per game. North Texas has a dynamic ground game and averages 203.4 rushing yards per contest. Marshall is 2-4 against the spread this season, while the Mean Green are 0-6 in their last six games when playing as the underdog. 

Kickoff from Apogee Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The Thundering Herd are favored by 11 points in the latest Marshall vs. North Texas odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points is set at 66.5. Before making any North Texas vs. Marshall picks, be sure to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,800 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 7 of the 2021 season on a 19-7 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now the model has dialed in on Marshall vs. North Texas and released its CFB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and trends for North Texas vs. Marshall:  

  • Marshall vs. North Texas spread: Marshall -11
  • Marshall vs. North Texas over-under: 66.5 points
  • Marshall vs. North Texas money line: North Texas +330, Marshall -430
  • MRSH: The under is 4-0 in Marshall's last four conference games
  • UNT: The under is 4-1 in North Texas' last five games as a home underdog

Why Marshall can cover

The Thundering Herd offense has established a solid rushing attack and averages 158 yards per game on the ground. Freshman Rasheen Ali leads Marshall with 103 carries for 560 yards and a conference-leading 11 touchdowns. Ali has two games on the year where he rushed for three touchdowns. 

Against East Carolina, Ali rushed for 189 yards on 24 carries for three scores. Two weeks later against Middle Tennessee State, Ali had 19 carries for 113 yards with another three touchdowns. The Ohio native has also grabbed passes out the backfield. He has hauled in 22 receptions for 137 yards and a score. Ali will look to continue his impressive freshman campaign on Friday against a North Texas defense that has given up 40 or more points in two of its last three games. 

Why North Texas can cover

Sophomore receiver Roderic Burns is the leading pass catcher on the Mean Green offense. Burns has hauled in 30 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. The Texas native has caught at least five passes in four games this year. Against SMU, Burns caught 12 passes for a season-high 141 yards. 

Sophomore quarterback Jace Ruder also played his best game of the year against the Mustangs. Ruder was 32-of-51 for 366 yards with a passing touchdown. If Burns and Ruder can play in a similar fashion against Marshall, the Mean Green will have a shot at springing the upset on Friday night. 

How to make North Texas vs. Marshall picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 55 points. It also has an against the spread pick that cashes in more than 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Marshall vs. North Texas? And which side of the spread hits more than 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is on a 19-7 run on top-rated CFB side picks, and find out.