Marshall vs East Carolina Prediction - College Football Picks 9/9/23

East Carolina Pirates (0-1) vs Marshall Thundering Herd (1-0)

Game Info: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 4:00 pm (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium)

Betting Odds: East Carolina Pirates +1.5 -- Over/Under: 45.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Marshall Thundering Herd will head down to Greenville to face the East Carolina Pirates in non-conference action this weekend from Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Marshall and ECU faced off each season from 2005 to 2013 as members of Conference USA, with ECU leading the all-time series, 7-3, after taking their 2021 meeting in shootout.

Marshall Thundering Herd Preview

Marshall enters at 1-0 after beginning the season with a 21-17 home win over Albany. The Thundering Herd nearly got an early scare for the Great Danes, but they avoided the embarrassing defeat, and they’ll look to clean things up in Greenville this weekend. The Marshall offense gained 413 total yards, passing for 268 yards, while rushing for 145 yards on the ground.

Marshall Player Notes

• Returning starter Cam Fancher produced in the opener despite the scare, going 28/35, for 268 passing yards, with a touchdown to an interception.

• Junior back Rasheed Ali had a great game, going for 137 rushing yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.

• Sophomore wide out Chuck Montgomery scored and gained a team-high 81 yards on six catches, while CMU transfer tight end led the Herd turned a team-lead seven receptions into 79 yards.

• The Marshall defense held Albany to 4/16 on third downs, while allowing 300 total yards.

East Carolina Pirates Preview

East Carolina comes in at 0-1 after opening the season with a 30-3 loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Pirates managed to cover the generous 35-point spread, but they endured a rough four quarters, and they’ll look to turn things around in their home opener here. The ECU offense gained 235 total yards, amassing 132 yards through the air, while rushing for 103 yards.

ECU Player Notes

• Mason Garcia got the first crack at replacing longtime starter Holton Ahlers, and he may get another shot facing such a stiff test with Michigan. Garcia went 11/18 for 80 passing yards, with one interception, while also serving as the team’s leading rusher with 36 yards in the Week 1 loss.

• Marlon Gunn Jr. and Rahjai Harris each received five carries, but found little room to operate.

• Senior wideout Jaylen Johnson led the wideout with three catches for 30 receiving yards.

• The ECU defense allowed 402 yards of total offense to Michigan.

Corey’s Free Pick

Both former Conference USA schools have some things to clean up this weekend, and while Marshall’s close call to FBS-bred Albany may and should raise a few eyebrows, they’ve got a noticeable advantage at the most important position on the field. ECU made a paycheck facing Michigan, but they never really managed to establish themselves, and their quarterback situation is cloudy. Marshall comes in with less questions, and something to prove after last weekend’s scare, so with Greenville being a tough place to play, back the Herd’s moneyline for this Week 2 matchup.