The Marshall Thundering Herd will try to pay off for their supporters on Dec. 20 in the Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl when they play host to the Florida International Golden Panthers at Tropicana Field.

The favorite has won all three previous St. Petersburg Bowls, which is now named for Beef O Bradys. FIU won its first bowl game last season and looks to make it two in a row against a Marshall team that has been tough in bowls, winning 6 of 7 since 1998.

The Golden Panthers will look to vanquish their hosts on Tuesday, as they are 6-6 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Thundering Herd are 7-5 ATS. Florida International is 3-9 against the total, while Marshall is 5-7 versus the number. [ See Beef o Bradys Bowl game betting preview ]

View Florida International vs Marshall Odds and Stats.

Betting Line: Marshall opened as 4.5-point underdogs at Sportsbook. The total opened at 50 but has been bet down to 48.5 at some online sportsbooks such as Sportsbook this week.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Marshall's No. 98-ranked offense (22 PPG) against a Golden Panthers defense that ranks No. 16 at 19.4 PPG. The Thundering Herd passing attack has averaged 212.2 yards per game, less than the Golden Panthers give up through the air (226.7 YPG on average).

Defensively, the Golden Panthers feature the league's No. 33-rated road run defense, allowing 136.5 yards per game. Marshall, meanwhile, ranks No. 109 in rushing offense at home.

Last time out for Florida International, they were a 31-18 Sportsbook as they battled Middle Tennessee on the road. Florida International covered in the match as a 8-point favorite, while 49 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Marshall won its last outing, a 34-27 result against East Carolina on November 26. Marshall covered in that game as a 2-point favorite, while the 61 combined points took the game OVER the total.


Florida International Golden Panthers Trends:
When playing in December are 5-3
When playing on turf are 6-4
After being outgained are 8-2
When favored on the road are 6-2

Marshall Thundering Herd Trends:
When playing in December are 9-1
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When an underdog at home are 3-7

A few Golden Panthers at Thundering Herd trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida International's last 8 games
Florida International is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Florida International is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Marshall's last 5 games
Marshall is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Marshall's last 18 games
Marshall is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games