Marshall Thundering Herd vs Old Dominion Monarchs Prediction, 10/31/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Marshall Thundering Herd vs Old Dominion Monarchs

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Location: S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, VA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Monarchs (+2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 44.5

The Marshall Thundering Herd (4-3) are en route to S.B. Ballard Stadium on Saturday, October 31, 2026 where they will play the Old Dominion Monarchs (2-6). Old Dominion opens as 2.5-point dogs. The total has been set at 44.5.

The Marshall Thundering Herd come into this game with a record of 4-3 this season. In their last matchup, the Thundering Herd took on the South Alabama Jaguars and took home the win by a score of 20-13. The Marshall Thundering Herd ran the football 33 different times and amassed 147 yards, which earned them an average of 4.5 yds per attempt. At the end of the game, they tallied 66 plays which totaled 328 yards. Marshall surrendered 12 completions on 33 attempts for a total of 148 yards, and a completion percentage of 36.4%. In the running game, the Thundering Herd gave up 178 yds on 42 attempts, which averages out to 4.2 yards per run surrendered.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the Marshall Thundering Herd hold an average of 21.7 PPG. As a team they are averaging 157.0 yards rushing ranking this team at 67th in the nation. The Thundering Herd have tallied 2,767 yards in total for the year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Marshall has earned 8 touchdowns through the air and 10 rushing touchdowns. Marshall has accounted for 150 first downs as an offense, and they have been flagged for 44 infractions for 402 yards. They have turned the ball over 14 different times.

Concerning yards via the pass, the Thundering Herd have allowed 1,669 yds which has them sitting in 93rd in the country. They are giving up 238.4 yards per game through the air and giving up a completion percentage of 58.5%. Over the course of this season, they have given up 430.0 yards/game which ranks them 128th in the country. They have relinquished 16 touchdowns through the air as well as 9 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 5.3 yards per running attempt and 191.6 rushing yards per game so far this year. Over the course of this season, they have given up 1,341 yards via the running game in 7 outings. The Thundering Herd are sitting in 118th in college football when it comes to their opponents scoring, allowing 30.7 points per game.

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The Monarchs come into this matchup with a record of 2-6 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Monarchs went home defeated by a final of 26-0 against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Old Dominion gave up 45 run attempts for 136 yds (3.0 yds per rush). The Monarchs pass defense gave up a completion rate of 82.9%, surrendering 302 yds on 29 out of 35 through the air. The Monarchs ended up finishing with 141 yards while they ran 56 plays (2.5 yards per play). Old Dominion ran the football for -0.6 yards per tote, finishing with a total of -13 yds on 22 attempts.

The Old Dominion Monarchs average 251.1 yards per contest, which has them ranked 138th in Division 1. The Old Dominion offense has compiled 511 penalty yards on 60 violations, which is 21st in the country in terms of giving up free yards. They have an average of 98.4 run yards per game and have toted the ball for 787 yards for this season. They have tossed 6 picks while letting opponents recover 10 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 111 1st downs. When looking at putting points on the board, the Monarchs are sitting 133rd in D-1 averaging 15.5 points per outing. For the season so far, the Monarchs currently have a total of 1,222 yards through the air in addition to holding an average of 152.8 passing yards per outing, which has them ranked 131st in the nation.

Old Dominion has allowed the opposition a total of 1,098 yards rushing (137.3 yards per contest) in addition to 7 touchdowns on the ground for the season. They have conceded 15 touchdowns via the pass and 211.4 yards/outing, which has them in 73rd in D-1. In total, they have allowed 214 points. Their defense has totaled 7 fumbles and 5 picks so far this season. The Monarchs defense has been on the field for 572 plays, ranking them 135th in the country. The Monarchs are surrendering 26.8 points per game, ranking them 97th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Thundering Herd/Monarchs college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Thundering Herd -2.5

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