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The third annual Myrtle Beach Bowl pits the Marshall Thundering Herd against the pesky UConn Huskies. This is a rematch of the 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl, where Marshall got the best of UConn 16-10. Marshall has made a bowl appearance in each of the last six seasons, but searching for their first bowl win since 2018. This is UConn’s first bowl appearance since that 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl. They are searching for their first bowl win since 2009.
When: Monday, December 19th @ 2:30 PM ET
Where: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Who: Marshall vs. UConn
Spread & Total: Marshall -10; O/U 41
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Tale of the Tape: Marshall Thundering Herd
Marshall pulled arguably one of the best upsets of the season, going into South Bend and knocking off then 8th ranked Notre Dame. Things got a little rocky for the Thundering Herd following that win, losing four of their next six. Each of those losses came against bowl eligible teams. But the Marshall defense guided the ship, allowing just 15 PPG in October and November. They closed the season going 6-2 over that span.
Transfer Portal Departures: N/A
Players to Know: RB Khalan Laborn
First Team All-Sun Belt selection, Laborn ranks 6th nationally in carries (281), 12th in rushing yards (1,423), and tied for 7th with 16 rushing touchdowns. Over 100 rushing yards in nine games; scored in 10 contests this season.
DL Owen Porter
Another First Team All-Sun Belt selection, Porter leads the team with 9.5 sacks (10th nationally). Recorded an interception in Marshall’s upset win over Notre Dame. Has forced two fumbles, returning a fumble for a touchdown.
Tale of the Tape: UConn Huskies
Jim Mora did what many felt was impossible: win at UConn. Over the last four seasons from 2017 thru 2021 (the Huskies were inactive due to Covid in 2020), UConn combined for seven wins. Mora, in year one, brought the Huskies back to life as the team became bowl eligible. And you saw it from Week 0: despite a loss to Utah State, the Huskies kept it close throughout the game. A rough patch against Syracuse, Michigan, and North Carolina State made the college football world believe this was the same old Huskies. But upsetting a Jake Haener-less Fresno State team sparked the Huskies season. They would win five of their last seven, including a win over Liberty, to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2015.
Transfer Portal Departures: RB Nate Carter
Player to Know: LB Jackson Mitchell
4th nationally with 133 total tackles; recorded at least seven tackles in each contest. Has forced two fumbles, while recovering five.
DL Eric Watts
Has sacked opposing quarterbacks seven times this season; team is 4-2 when Watts records at least a half of a sack. Forced two fumbles this year
Bowl Game Trends:
- The favorite has covered and won in both Myrtle Beach Bowl occurrences, winning by 13 and 28, respectively.
Game Synopsis:
I question how UConn scores in this contest. They are only a threat on the ground; they rank 127th in passing yards and tied for 116th in passing touchdowns. Their strength feeds into Marshall’s top tier run defense; only five teams have allowed fewer touchdowns than the Thundering Herd. Marshall has a great running back no one has heard about in Laborn. In the Huskies’ four losses to bowl eligible teams, the lead running backs had the following stat line:
- Calvin Tyler Jr. (Utah State): 33 carries, 161 yards
- Sean Tucker (Syracuse): 27 carries, 112 yards, one touchdown
- Blake Corum (Michigan): 12 carries, 71 yards, five touchdowns
- Michael Allen (North Carolina State): 10 carries, 66 yards
For transparency, North Carolina State ranked outside the top-100 in rushing offense. My point: UConn gets torched on the ground against good teams and their lead backs. I think this happens again against Marshall.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Marshall
Bowl Mania Confidence: 42/43
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