Marshall vs. Army Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Independence Bowl

Reed Wallach | 5 Hours Ago

Dec 6, 2024; West Point, NY, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) carries the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images / Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Two conference champions meet in the Independence Bowl on December 28th.

Army narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoff, and will look to cap an amazing season by beating Sun Belt Champion Marshall as a big favorite now that the team has had a mass exodus both on the coaching staff and the roster.

The Black Knights are the biggest favorite of bowl season, can it make good on it for sports bettors?

Let’s break it down in our Independence Bowl preview!

Marshall vs. Army Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

Marshall: +14.5 (-105)
Army: -14.5 (-115)

Moneyline

Marshall: +450
Army: -630

Total: 48.5 (Over -105/Under -115)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Marshall vs. Army How to Watch

Date: Saturday, December 28th
Game Time: 9:15 PM EST
Venue: Independence Stadium
How to Watch (TV): ESPN
Marshall Record: 10-3
Army Record: 11-1

Marshall vs. Army Key Players to Watch

Marshall

Jordan Houston: With the top three quarterbacks on the depth chart in the transfer portal as well as leading rusher A.J. Turner, Houston is the team’s most impactful player. After rushing for 592 yards on 111 carries, Houston will certainly see an uptick in volume in the Independence Bowl.

Army

Bryson Daily: Daily will surely get down-ballot Heisman Trophy votes after helping revitalize Army this season. The quarterback of the Black Knights ran for 1,480 yards and added 877 through the air with 37 total touchdowns and only one interception.

Marshall vs. Army Prediction and Pick

The market has quickly moved towards Army, and rightfully so given the opt outs on the Marshall side, which includes its top three quarterbacks and starting running back. In the wake of head coach Chalres Huff leaving for Southern Miss on the heels of a Sun Belt Championship, Marshall has been left with a patchwork unit.

It will not be easy sledding for the Thundering Herd in its bowl game against Army, who have been one of the most potent offenses in the country and backed it up with an AAC Championship Game win against an elite Tulane team.

The Black Knights triple option offense has given opposing defense fits, ranking eighth in EPA/Play and averaging nearly six yards per carry with Daily as the engineer of the unit.

Meanwhile, with the question marks on the Marshall side, including both starting linebackers Jaden Yates and Landyn Watson, in addition to others, I struggle to see the Thundering Herd keeping up in this one.

I can only lay it with the Black Knights in the Independence Bowl.

PICK: Army -14.5