Saturday afternoon, the Marshall Thundering Herd will travel to Norfolk, VA to take on the Old Dominion Monarchs in Week 9 of the 2026 regular season. Both teams are part of the Sun Belt Conference, and the game will be hosted at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM. Marshall enters this game with a 4-3 record, showing a strong performance at home, but a less consistent 1-2 record on the road. Their recent game against South Alabama resulted in a 20-13 victory, displaying a solid defense with no turnovers. The Thundering Herd will be looking to maintain their momentum as they face another conference opponent. Old Dominion, with a record of 2-6, has struggled this season but did secure a win against Appalachian State earlier in October. Their home record stands at 1-3, and they will aim to improve this against Marshall. After a 26-0 loss to Louisiana Tech last week, the Monarchs will seek redemption on their home turf.

Old Dominion vs Marshall At a Glance (Week 9)

  • Game Location: S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, VA
  • Game Date & Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • Broadcast: Available on ESPN+
  • Marshall Record: 4-3 overall, 1-2 in conference
  • Old Dominion Record: 2-6 overall, 1-4 in conference
  • Betting Odds: Marshall favored by 3 points with a moneyline of -155

Old Dominion Monarchs Seek Redemption at Home

Offensive Struggles

The Old Dominion Monarchs have faced challenges on offense this season, with only 124 points scored, ranking them 93rd nationally. Their passing game has been particularly problematic, amassing just 1,216 yards and landing them in the 122nd position in the rankings.

On the ground, the Monarchs have struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack, producing 826 yards which ranks them 116th. Securing first downs has been a slight bright spot, with 111 achieved, ranking them 66th.

Defensive Challenges

Defensively, Old Dominion has allowed 214 points against them, positioning them 123rd in the country. However, the team has shown strong capabilities in generating turnovers with 19 sacks, ranking 10th, and recovering 7 fumbles, which is the 5th best in the nation.

Interceptions have been another defensive highlight for the Monarchs, with 5 picks that place them 6th nationally. Despite these defensive strengths, the team has struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard.

Key Players to Watch

Quarterback Quinn Henicle has been at the helm for the Monarchs, accumulating 656 passing yards with 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions over 6 games. However, his status is questionable for the upcoming game due to an undisclosed injury.

In the rushing department, Devin Roche leads the team with 382 yards on the season, while Maurki James has added 2 rushing touchdowns. On the receiving end, TJ Johnson and Leon Haughton Jr. have been standout performers, each contributing 3 receiving touchdowns.

Recent Performance

The Monarchs have had a tough stretch recently, losing four out of their last five games. Their sole victory in this sequence came against Appalachian State, where they managed a narrow 10-3 win.

Their recent loss against Louisiana Tech, where they were shut out 26-0, highlighted their offensive inefficiencies. Upcoming games will be critical for the Monarchs to regain momentum.

Old Dominion Top Betting Trends

  • SU - As Favorite: Last 12 Games (2024–2026) → 10-2 (83.3%)
  • SU - Totals ≥ 50: Last 12 Games (2025–2026) → 10-2 (83.3%)
  • ATS - Away Games: Last 30 Games (2021–2026) → 19-11 (63.3%)
  • SU - After Win: Last 11 Games (2025–2026) → 8-3 (72.7%)
  • ATS - As Underdog: Last 28 Games (2022–2026) → 17-11 (60.7%)

Marshall Thundering Herd Stampede: An In-Depth Look at the Upcoming Game

Current Season Overview

The Marshall Thundering Herd currently holds a 3-2 record in the regular season. Their recent victory against South Alabama, with a final score of 20-13, marked a solid performance at home. However, they have struggled on the road, including a significant 45-17 loss to James Madison.

Offensively, Marshall ranks 83rd nationally in points scored, accumulating a total of 152 points so far this season. Their passing game is stronger than their rushing attack, ranking 63rd in passing yards compared to 70th in rushing yards. This balanced offensive approach will be crucial as they prepare for their next challenge.

Quarterback Performance

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson leads the Thundering Herd from the quarterback position. With 139 passing attempts over six games, he has thrown for 1,014 yards and six touchdowns. Del Rio-Wilson's performance will be pivotal in Marshall's upcoming games, especially if backup QB Zion Turner remains sidelined with a lower body injury.

Turner, who has played five games this season, has also contributed to the team's passing yards with 555 yards and two touchdowns. However, his questionable status due to injury puts additional pressure on Del Rio-Wilson to maintain a high level of play.

Running Back Contributions

Judah Price and Jo'Shon Barbie have been the main contributors in the running game. Price has rushed for 237 yards and scored two touchdowns, while Barbie, despite being questionable for the next game, has also made significant contributions with 230 rushing yards.

Price's dual-threat capability is evident in his 100 receiving yards on top of his rushing stats. His versatility adds another layer to Marshall's offense, providing Del Rio-Wilson with a reliable outlet in both the passing and running games.

Receiving Corps Highlights

Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw stands out as the leading receiver for Marshall. In seven games, he has caught 25 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field will be a key factor for Marshall's offensive success.

Owen Sweeney and Adrian Norton have also been reliable targets, combining for over 400 receiving yards. Their contributions help diversify the Thundering Herd's aerial attack, making it more challenging for opposing defenses to focus on a single receiver.

Betting Trends

  • SU - Home Games: Last 24 Games (2022–2026) → 19-5 (79.2%)
  • SU - As Favorite: Last 28 Games (2022–2026) → 21-7 (75.0%)
  • O/U - After Win: Last 8 Games (2025–2026) → 7-1 (87.5%)
  • ATS - As Underdog: Last 13 Games (2024–2026) → 10-3 (76.9%)
  • SU - After Win: Last 28 Games (2022–2026) → 19-9 (67.9%)

Old Dominion vs Marshall Week 9 Prediction: Over 45.5

The upcoming game between Old Dominion and Marshall presents an interesting betting opportunity with the current total set at 45.5. Looking at the previous matchups, it's clear that these teams have the potential to exceed this total, given their last three meetings all went over 45.5 points. This trend suggests a likelihood of a high-scoring affair, especially considering both teams' current offensive and defensive stats.

Marshall, currently with a 4-3 record, has demonstrated a reasonably balanced offensive effort, scoring 152 points this season. Meanwhile, Old Dominion's defense has struggled, allowing 214 points, ranking them 123rd in points allowed. This defensive shortcoming against a capable Marshall offense suggests that points could pile up in this contest.

On the other side, Old Dominion has had a tough season but managed to put up 124 points offensively. Marshall's defense is not particularly strong either, having allowed 215 points (ranked 124th). Both teams' defensive vulnerabilities could lead to a higher-scoring game than the line suggests.

Considering these factors, I anticipate a final score around Marshall 28 - Old Dominion 20. This scenario would comfortably exceed the current total of 45.5, making the over a logical choice for this matchup.

  • Old Dominion vs Marshall Prediction: Over 45.5
  • Old Dominion vs Marshall Score: Marshall 28 - Old Dominion 20

Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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