| MATCHUP | Marshall Thundering Herd | Penn State Nittany Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +23.5 -102 | -23.5 -118 |
| Moneyline | +1400 | -3200 |
| Total | Over 52.5 (-102) | Under 52.5 (-118) |
| Where | Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA | |
| When | Saturday, September 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 03:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | FS1 | |
Penn State Preview
Penn State finished last season with a 7-6 overall record, a 3-6 conference record, and placed 12th in the Big Ten Conference. They had a 4-3 home record and a 2-3 road record. Offensively, the Nittany Lions scored 31 points per game (ranking 34th in the nation). Defensively, Penn State allowed 20.5 points per game (ranking 32nd in the nation). They averaged 362.0 total yards per game (174.4 rushing, 187.6 passing) and gave up 326.8 total yards per game (142.5 rushing, 184.2 passing).
Ethan Grunkemeyer led the Nittany Lions with 123/178 completed passes and 1,339 total passing yards, throwing 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Nicholas Singleton led the team in rushing yards with 549, adding a team-high 13 rushing touchdowns, while Trebor Pena had a team-high 49 caught passes for 552 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. Defensively, Amare Campbell led the team with 103 total tackles (64 solo), while Dani Dennis-Sutton led Penn State in sacks with 8.5.
Marshall Preview
Marshall finished last season with a 5-7 overall record, a 3-5 conference record, and placed 5th in the Sun Belt East Division. They had a 3-3 home record and a 2-4 road record. Offensively, the Thundering Herd scored 30.8 points per game (ranking 39th in the nation). Defensively, Marshall allowed 30.2 points per game (ranking 108th in the nation). They averaged 404.9 total yards per game (197 rushing, 207.9 passing) and gave up 410.6 total yards per game (148.9 rushing, 261.7 passing).
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson led the Thundering Herd with 171/256 completed passes and 2,043 total passing yards, throwing 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson led the team in rushing yards with 660, adding a team-high 6 rushing touchdowns, while Demarcus Lacey had a team-high 65 caught passes for 769 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. Defensively, Boogie Trotter led the team with 74 total tackles (36 solo), while Braydin Ward led Marshall in sacks with 5.0.
Marshall Thundering Herd @ Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win
- Penn State has won each of its last 31 games against non-conference opponents at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
- Marshall has lost four of its last five games.
- Penn State has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
- Marshall has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four road games.
- Penn State has won the first quarter in 17 of its last 18 games against non-conference opponents at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
- Penn State has won the first half 26 of its last 27 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Marshall Thundering Herd will win
- Marshall has won 12 of its last 13 season openers.
- Penn State has lost three of its last four home games.
- Marshall has covered the spread in each of its last 10 road openers.
- Penn State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games as an AP-ranked team.
- The road team has won the first quarter in four of Marshall’s last five games.
- The road team has won the first half in each of Marshall’s last six games.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Marshall’s last eight games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of Penn State’s last four home openers have gone OVER the total points line.
Penn State Nittany Lions Player Prop Facts
- Carson Hansen has recorded 100+ rushing yards in five consecutive games – equal-longest streak in the FBS.
Marshall Thundering Herd Player Prop Facts
- DeWain Trotter ranked T7th amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Penn State ranked 6th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (10.8).
- Penn State ranked T8th among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters last season (+4.9).
- Marshall ranked 127th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game last season (261.7).
- Marshall ranked 119th among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game last season (7.6).
Marshall vs Penn State Prediction
In this Marshall vs Penn State Prediction, Penn State is coming as -24.5 home favorites. Penn State was the better team last season and while they were slightly above average at home and had similar offense as Marshall, their defense was the game-changer. Along at top-35 offense they also had a top-35 defense, allowing almost 10 points per game less than Marshall, who ranked outside the top-100 in that category. Penn State is projected as a top-30 this season and I expect them to win this one easily at home and cover the -24.5 points.