The UCF Knights are the favorites of betting sites over the Marshall Thundering Herd by 17.5 points, as the spread goes for the 2019 Gasparilla Bowl on December 23, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Florida.
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. UCF Knights 2019 Gasparilla Bowl Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | +17½ (-110) | 61½ (-110) | +600 |  |
| Central Florida | -17½ (-110) | 61½ (-110) | -900 | |
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Betting Marshall Thundering Herd
The Herd finished the 2019 season with an 8-4 record (6-2 in C-USA play). Additionally, Marshall went 4-8 ATS, per the best online sportsbooks. Starting QB Isaiah Green is 180 of 313 (57.5%) for 2,265 yards with 14 TDs, nine picks, and 22 sacks. Tight end Armani Levias has 43 receptions for 486 yards and three TDs.
The Herd barely breaks the 200-passing-yard-per-game mark. Running back Brenden Knox has rushed for 1284 yards and 11 TDs on 244 carries. All told, Marshall ranks 73rd in the country in total offense, with 396.5 yards per game. The Herd’s scoring offense is tied for 88th (25.8 points per game).
Darius Hodge has seven sacks, linebacker Tavante Beckett has 114 tackles, and defensive back Steven Gilmore has two interceptions. Apart from Beckett’s deft tackling, Marshall’s defense can be deemed as very serviceable.
According to betting sites’ trends, the Herd is 7-0 ATS in their last seven Bowl games. 6-0 ATS in their last six neutral site games. And 4-1 ATS in their last five games in December.
“Nearly as soon as Marshall University’s football team stepped off the field following a Senior Day overtime win over FIU, the focus of the Thundering Herd coaching staff shifted. And it was not to the team’s bowl matchup. Instead, Marshall’s staff, led by recruiting coordinator Mike Treier, pivoted toward Wednesday’s early National Signing Day, when college football programs can start accepting National Letters of Intent. Marshall head coach Doc Holliday said the addition of the December signing period has changed the structure of recruiting, but Treier has navigated the new schedule for the Herd,” reports The Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Betting UCF Knights
Central Florida went 9-3 in the regular season (6-2 in AAC play). Moreover, the Knights finished 5-7 ATS, as recorded by betting sites. Starting QB Dillon Gabriel is 222 of 374 (59.4%) for 3,393 yards with 27 TDs, seven picks, and 21 sacks. Wide receiver Gabriel Davis has 72 catches for 1,241 yards and 12 TDs. UCF has the 8th-best passing offense in the country with 320.0 yards per game. Running back Otis Anderson has 665 yards and five TDs on 104 carries.
The Knights gain 536.6 total yards per game, which ranks them 4th in the NCAA. UCF’s 6th-ranked scoring offense (43.0 ppg) has scored fewer than 30 points just once this season.
Brendon Hayes has 7.5 sacks, linebacker Nate Evans has 100 tackles, and defensive back Aaron Robinson has three interceptions. The Knights’ defense is just about as serviceable as that of Marshall.
Central Florida is 4-0 ATS in their last four games playing C-USA schools. 5-2 ATS in their last seven non-conference games. And 16-7 ATS in their last 23 games on grass.
“UCF hasn’t been all that great in bowl games lately. For all of the success, and for everything the program has taken from its Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win over Auburn two seasons ago, it’s now 1-3 in its last four bowls going back to 2014 – why does this matter?
The Florida teams haven’t been all that great in this thing, with UCF, FIU and USF going a combined 1-5 since USF won the inaugural St. Petersburg Bowl. And why does that matter? Between that, and Marshall being a terrific bowl program, UCF is a very, very big favorite,” College Football News.com reports.
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. UCF Knights 2019 Gasparilla Bowl Pick
Marshall is on par defensively but badly outmatched in offense. Take UCF and the points.
