The Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Marshall Thundering Herd in Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12:o0 p.m. ET on FOX.
The Buckeyes are coming off a 56-point beatdown of Western Michigan and have scored 108 points in their first two games of the new season.
Meanwhile, the Herd lost to Virginia Tech, 31-14, to drop to 1-1 on the season.
Ohio State enters this Week 4 contest as a -40 favorite on the spread, while the total sits at 52.5.
So, where's the betting value here? Let's dive into my Marshall vs. Ohio State prediction for Saturday's Week 4 college football matchup.
Marshall vs Ohio State Prediction
- Marshall vs Ohio State Pick: Ohio State -40
My Marshall vs Ohio State best bet is on the Buckeyes spread with the best line currently available at BetMGM, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Marshall vs Ohio State Odds
| Marshall Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+40 -110 | 52.5 -105 / -115 | +5000 |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-40 -110 | 52.5 -105 / -115 | -100000 |
- Marshall vs Ohio State Point Spread: Marshall +40 (-110) · Ohio State -40 (-110)
- Marshall vs Ohio State Total: Over/Under 52.5
- Marshall vs Ohio State Moneyline: Marshall +5000 · Ohio State -100000
Marshall vs Ohio State Preview
Marshall Thundering Herd Betting Preview: Can Offense Find Success?
Marshall head coach Charles Huff made headlines this week with an impassioned speech ahead of this game against Ohio State, imploring any Buckeyes players to consider transferring to Marshall and receiving an "all you can eat" biscuit deal in the process.
It sounds crazy because it is crazy, but Huff may be right in thinking his best path forward in this game would be to steal some Ohio State players.
Marshall had Week 3 off to prepare for this one, and we last saw it in action in its Week 2 loss to Virginia Tech (31-14). The Herd's one win this season came in blowout fashion, a 45-3 victory over Stony Brook.
The Thundering Herd used three quarterbacks before settling on Stone Earle in that blowout win. Earle is a capable runner, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 18 attempts this year. But he struggled mightily through the air against the Hokies, completing just 13-of-36 passes and throwing a pick.
Marshall's rushing attack is its biggest strength offensively. As a team, the Thundering Herd run for 6.5 yards per carry. Those numbers are a bit boosted by two big plays, 69- and 80-yard runs from A.J. Turner.
Those types of plays will be hard to replicate against the dominant Ohio State defense.
Overall, Marshall ranks 36th in rush success nationally, and Ohio State's run defense ranks 19th in the same category, the only "weak" spot the Buckeyes have on that end — if you can call a top-20 ranking a "weak spot."
On the defensive end, Marshall was opportunistic a year ago, leading the Sun Belt in red zone efficiency and third down stops. However, most of Marshall's key players are gone and this year's group struggled in the Virginia Tech game.
Ohio State will give Marshall plenty of problems, but maybe coach Huff has some creative tricks up his sleeve.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview: Is Another Dominant Win Coming?
It's been a stunning start to the season for the Big Ten favorites, but let's be honest: Through three games, Ohio State has outscored opponents 108-6.
The Buckeyes have dominated in nearly all facets of the game, and there have been plenty of explosive plays in the process.
Quarterback Will Howard told the media before the season started that he didn't need to be a superhero, and so far, he's been right. But that doesn't mean Howard hasn't been everything Ohio State has needed.
The Buckeyes' offense ranks in the top 10 in the country in both pass and rush success rate on the year.
Their two-headed monster backfield has alternated starring moments, but combined they have been unstoppable. Both Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are averaging over seven yards per carry.
In the receiver room, freshman Jeremiah Smith continues to impress and looks the part of a future first-round pick. Smith has totaled 211 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches in his young career.
But it's on the defensive side of the ball where Ohio State has been the most dominant. The Buckeyes' defense has scored two touchdowns and has allowed zero to opposing offenses.
That won't last forever, but in this game, the Buckeyes will have the advantage in all areas of the field.
Marshall vs Ohio State
Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Marshall and Ohio State match up statistically:
Marshall Offense vs. Ohio State Defense
 |  Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 36 | 19 | |
| Line Yards | 25 | 68 | |
| Pass Success | 97 | 4 | |
| Havoc | 16 | 8 | |
| Finishing Drives | 127 | 1 | |
| Quality Drives | 109 | 2 | |
Ohio State Offense vs. Marshall Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 10 | 70 | |
| Line Yards | 1 | 59 | |
| Pass Success | 10 | 25 | |
| Havoc | 13 | 64 | |
| Finishing Drives | 9 | 59 | |
| Quality Drives | 19 | 26 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 69 | 41 |
| PFF Coverage | 17 | 17 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 100 | 32 |
| Middle 8 | 3 | 75 |
| Seconds per Play | 22.1 (6) | 26.7 (55) |
| Rush Rate | 48% (87) | 53% (57) |
Marshall vs Ohio State Pick & Prediction
Ohio State is loaded on both ends. The Buckeyes have topped 50 points in both games and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Marshall's one area for optimism is in the run game, but it's been too big-play dependent against lesser teams, and it's hard to envision that working against Ohio State.
Expect the Buckeyes to keep pouring it on and come away with another blowout victory.
Pick: Ohio State -40
How to Watch Marshall vs Ohio State Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Ohio Stadium |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 21 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | FOX |
Marshall vs Ohio State Betting Trends
- Marshall is 2-0 in its first two games against the spread this season.
- Marshall is 1-0 in its road games against the spread.
- The total has gone over in none of Marshall's first two games.
- Ohio State is 1-1 in its first two games ATS.
- The total has gone over in both of Ohio State's games.
