cfn PREVIEW

[indianmustang]

Marshall (1-4) at SMU (3-3), 3:00 EST, Saturday, October 14
Why to watch: Marshall is reeling from its third straight loss, a last-second heartbreaker to East division rival UCF. The Herd is playing some of its worst football in a quarter century, needing a win this week in Dallas to stop the bleeding and reverse the course of its season, but SMU hhas serious problems of its own. Just when it looked like the Mustangs were about to emerge from the dark ages of I-A football, the team’s catalyst, QB Justin Willis, got suspended for punching a fellow student. His absence was felt in a 24-21 loss to UTEP, and pending investigation, he may be done for the rest of the season. Now the program has to find out right away if it can win games with junior college transfer Corey Slater, who was picked off three times in El Paso last weekend.
Why Marshall might win: For the first time all year, Marshall might actually have the upper hand at quarterback. SMU was turning the corner this year primarily because Willis had evolved into force, accounting for 13 touchdowns in a torrid three-game stretch. Without the freshman, the Mustangs become an ordinary football team that’s susceptible to desperate programs, such as the one visiting this week.
Why Southern Methodist might win: The Mustangs have one of the worst pass defenses in America, but with Bernie Morris calling signals, the Herd won’t be able to take advantage. Instead, it’ll try to spring RB Ahmad Bradshaw loose against a SMU D that leads Conference USA in run defense and has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher. With Bradshaw hog-tied and Morris ineffective, the offense will sputter.
Who to watch: Unless Willis gets reinstated, SMU’s hope for a postseason game rest on the shoulder of Slater, who played at Dixie State College (UT) last year and has a decent arm. The sophomore struggled early last week, but played better in the second half and, unlike last Saturday, has a full week to prepare for the start.
What will happen: Marshall couldn’t beat a bad UCF team on a night the stadium watched a clip of “We are Marshall” with Matthew McConaughey rallying the crowd. Why should anyone believe it can beat SMU on the road? Until Slater finds his groove, the defense will pick up the slack against sub par offenses.
CFN Prediction: SMU 27... Marshall 20... Line: SMU -5
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 The Class) ...

[The PonyGrad]

I can buy that prediction but not sure how he rated the viewing of the game.

If Slater gets picked a couple of times Marshall may score more and Willis may appear sooner leading to something like SMU 32, Marshall 28