Marshall vs. Western Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview

The winner of this week matchup between the Marshall Thundering Herd (9-2) and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (9-2) captures the East Division and moves on to the Conference USA title game. Check out the Marshall vs. Western Kentucky prediction and game preview.

Marshall vs. Western Kentucky Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Friday, November 27
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Houchen Industries L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Network: Fox Sports 1

Follow and/or Contact @Rich Cirminiello

Why You Need To Care

The league’s highest scoring offense, Western Kentucky, versus its stingiest defense, Marshall. Conference USA couldn’t have scripted a much better showcase to determine who wins its Eastern half.

The Thundering Herd is Conference USA’s defending champ. But this year’s title goes through Bowling Green, home of the Hilltoppers. Western Kentucky’s only losses this season came on the road to Power Five opponents, Indiana and LSU. And the Toppers’ last seven wins have been by at least 16 points. Marshall, though, boasts a roster littered with players who know how to win a title. Plus, those Herd athletes will have revenge on their minds, since last season’s only defeat came at the hands of WKU, 67-66, in Huntington.

Why Marshall Will Win

LSU and Vanderbilt aside, this will be the toughest defense Western Kentucky faces in 2015.

The Herd swiftly rebounded from its Nov. 14 loss to Middle Tennessee, blanking Florida International, 52-0, two weeks ago behind another stout defensive effort. Plus, the team had a bye last Saturday. Marshall gives up a league-low 16 points per game, and the nation’s top-ranked pass efficiency D will be the perfect foil to Western Kentucky’s high-powered passing game. Accustomed to coasting against most opponents, the Hilltoppers will be frustrated by the pressure of DE Gary Thompson and LB Evan McKelvey and the sticky coverage of CB Corey Tindal and S Taj Letman. Marshall is the rare Conference USA squad that can match Western Kentucky’s speed.

Why Western Kentucky Will Win

Marshall has been average on offense the year after QB Rakeem Cato’s graduation. And average production won’t cut it against the Hilltoppers.

Western Kentucky will not reach its usual scoring clip of 44 points a game this Friday. But it won’t need to either. The Herd is markedly less explosive than the Toppers, especially through the air. Not only did Cato graduate, but starting QB Michael Birdsong and star RB Devon Johnson have also missed most of the season. And while rookie QB Chase Litton is improving, he won’t match the firepower of QB Brandon Doughty and his collection of playmakers. WKU’s superior explosiveness and efficiency, both on third down and in the red zone, will be the differences on Friday.

Player Who Matters

Marshall can deliver the payload on defense, setting the stage for a fascinating matchup with Doughty, RB Anthony Wales and the Taywan Taylor-led receivers. But who steps up on D for Western Kentucky? The Toppers are far more opportunistic than oppressive, ranking second to the Herd in league takeaways. The tone-setters emanate from the back seven, linebackers Nick Holt and TJ McCollum and DBs Branden Leston and Prince Charles Iworah. But the line can be moved, which might create running room for Herd runners Remi Watson and Hyleck Foster.

What’s Going To Happen?

Defense wins championships … usually.

Western Kentucky will need to pry the league hardware out of Marshall’s hands this week, because the Herd is not going down without a fight. But this is the Hilltoppers’ time to reign above the division, thanks to Doughty’s knack for spreading the ball around, with a minimum of mistakes. The senior will need to work harder than usual this week, but once he builds a little cushion, Marshall will find it difficult to erase the deficit.