Marshall and Penn State meet Saturday for the first time in almost a century; they last went to battle in 1930. It’s a lofty historical spirit for the beginning of new HC Matt Campbell’s tenure at Penn State after 10 seasons coaching Iowa State. The market favors the Nittany Lions by 23.5 points, a margin that, in my opinion, fails to properly price how familiar Marshall’s offense is as a unit already. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Marshall Thundering Herd.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Penn State vs. Marshall prediction, preview
Marshall returns Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, who won the Sun Belt’s award for preseason offensive player of the year. He slung 2,043 yards, ran for 660, and completed 66.8% of his throws last season. Only one other returning quarterback in the country surpassed 2,000 passing yards, 600 rushing yards and a 65% completion rate; Del Rio-Wilson is, nationally, one of the most efficient quarterbacks returning to helm the offensive scheme he ran last season. That’s a comfort for me against a three-plus touchdown spread.
His offensive weapons also feature more returning players than we’re used to for an NIL-era opener. Receivers Adrian Norton and DeAndre Tamarez return, and so does tight end Toby Payne. Linemen Jalen Slappy and Tariq Montgomery do, too, and they’re set to anchor a rushing offense that ranked 22nd nationally in 2025. That continuity alone affords Marshall several ways to sustain drives, solve third-down conversions, and prevent Penn State from accumulating too many possessions to separate.
Campbell brought with him veteran Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht as well as much of his Iowa State staff to State College. Becht will make his 40th career start, and needs 227 total yards to reach 10,000 total. That’s the level of veteran we’re talking about. Running back Carson Hansen followed him, too, after producing 1,704 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns over the past two ISU seasons.
Marshall vs. Penn State pick, best bet
Penn State will score, most certainly, against a Marshall defense which allowed 30.8ppg in 2025 That unit ranked 127th against the pass, too. New Marshall DC Brad Lambert must improve the group from the jump. However, we must keep in mind that the Nittany Lions also changed defensive schemes under Campbells staff, and imported 24 transfers. Their rebuilt front-seven faces a quarterback capable of escaping first contact, and extending drives. A quarterback who knows his offense intimately.
Marshall finished 5-7 last season, but four losses came by five points or fewer. Things could have been a lot different given a play or two. This is the sort of experienced offense I like in Week 1 games. Admittedly, it’s attached to an ugly final record, but I just see that as value in the +23.5. Penn State’s talent and enormous home crowd will certainly win the day. I still expect Del Rio-Wilson to manufacture enough scoring offense for the Herd to remain within three touchdowns.
Best bet: Marshall +23.5 (-102)
Projected score: Penn State 34, Marshall 17
Best Bet: Marshall +23.5 (+100) at Penn State
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
