Middle Tennessee at Marshall 2026 Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

Saturday, September 12, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM ET Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, West Virginia TV: ESPN+ Tickets: As low as $31 Line: Marshall -14 Over/Under: 58.5

Marshall returns home Saturday night looking for a major response after opening its season with a 45-0 loss at No. 18 Penn State.

The Thundering Herd managed only 147 total yards, but quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson completed 17 of 25 passes for 102 yards and added a team-high 30 rushing yards. Tight end Toby Payne caught eight passes for 55 yards.

Middle Tennessee enters 1-0 after defeating Murray State 38-14 in a weather-shortened opener. Roman Gagliano threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns, Antonio Martin rushed for 103 yards and Cam’ron Lacy caught eight passes for 118 yards and a score.

The supplied line is Marshall -14 with a 58.5 total. Current CBS Sports numbers have moved slightly to approximately Marshall -14.5 with a 57.5 total.

Top Four Prop Bets

Exact player props may not be offered for this matchup. The numbers below are projected betting targets.

Prop Bet #1: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson Over 39.5 Rushing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Del Rio-Wilson Over 39.5 Rushing Yards

• Dual-Threat QB
• 30 Yards at Penn State
• Home Rebound Spot

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Del Rio-Wilson rushed for 30 yards despite Marshall spending most of its opener playing from behind against an elite Penn State defense. He also rushed for more than 600 yards during the 2025 season.

Against Middle Tennessee, Marshall should have more opportunities to use designed quarterback runs.

Projected Bet: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson Over 39.5 Rushing Yards

Prop Bet #2: Cam’ron Lacy Over 69.5 Receiving Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Lacy Over 69.5 Receiving Yards

• 118 Yards in Opener
• Eight Receptions
• Gagliano’s Top Target

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Lacy was Middle Tennessee’s most productive receiver against Murray State, catching eight passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Marshall allowed Penn State to throw for 324 yards, and Middle Tennessee could be forced into another high-volume passing game if it falls behind.

Projected Bet: Cam’ron Lacy Over 69.5 Receiving Yards

Prop Bet #3: Antonio Martin Over 64.5 Rushing Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Martin Over 64.5 Rushing Yards

• 103 Yards in Debut
• 6.9 Yards Per Carry
• Balanced MTSU Offense

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Martin made an immediate impact in his Middle Tennessee debut, rushing 15 times for 103 yards. The Blue Raiders finished with 196 rushing yards overall.

Marshall held Penn State to 3.6 yards per carry, so this matchup is tougher, but Martin should receive enough volume to threaten 65 yards.

Projected Bet: Antonio Martin Over 64.5 Rushing Yards

Prop Bet #4: Under 58.5 Points

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Under 58.5 Points

• Marshall Scored 0 in Opener
• Herd Offensive Questions
• Total Already Moving Down

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Marshall’s offense must prove it can consistently finish drives after producing only 11 first downs and converting one third down against Penn State.

Middle Tennessee scored 38 in its opener, but seven came from a defensive fumble return, and the game ended early because of severe weather.

With the market already moving toward 57.5, the under is the preferred total.

Bet: Under 58.5 Points

Players to Watch

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, QB, Marshall: The preseason Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year needs a bounce-back performance after being held to 132 total yards at Penn State.

Toby Payne, TE, Marshall: Caught a career-high eight passes for 55 yards in Week 1.

Caleb Clark-Glover, DB, Marshall: Recorded a career-high 11 tackles against Penn State.

Roman Gagliano, QB, Middle Tennessee: Completed 20 passes for 200 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against Murray State.

Antonio Martin, RB, Middle Tennessee: Rushed for 103 yards in his Blue Raider debut.

Cam’ron Lacy, WR, Middle Tennessee: Produced a career-best 118 receiving yards.

Keys to the Game

Middle Tennessee

The Blue Raiders must avoid allowing Marshall to establish Del Rio-Wilson and the running game early.

Offensively, Gagliano needs to continue protecting the football while using Lacy to attack Marshall’s secondary.

Marshall

Marshall must forget what happened at Penn State.

The Herd needs better offensive-line play after generating only 44 rushing yards and 147 total yards in Week 1.

Home field should help. This is Marshall’s home opener, and the program is promoting it as its “We Are…Marshall” game with Hall of Fame recognition.

Betting Prediction

Marshall is much better than its 45-0 Week 1 score suggests because Penn State represents a massive step up from the competition it faces Saturday.

Still, laying two touchdowns feels aggressive against a Middle Tennessee team that already demonstrated balance and explosive-play ability.

Gagliano, Martin and Lacy give the Blue Raiders enough offense to remain competitive, while Marshall should improve considerably at home behind Del Rio-Wilson.

The Verdict

Expect Marshall to establish the run early and finally find the end zone after being shut out in Happy Valley.

Middle Tennessee should answer with several sustained drives, particularly through Lacy and Martin.

Marshall wins its home opener, but the Blue Raiders stay within two touchdowns.

Final Score Prediction: Marshall 31, Middle Tennessee 24

Best Bet: Middle Tennessee +14

Total Pick: Under 58.5

Moneyline: Marshall

Top Player Prop: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson Over 39.5 Rushing Yards

Additional Props: Cam’ron Lacy Over 69.5 Receiving Yards | Antonio Martin Over 64.5 Rushing Yards