The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles are 3-2, with losses to Nebraska and Mississippi State. They will be on the road at 4-1 Marshall, and the Thundering Herd have four wins against inferior opposition. I like the visitors plus the points.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Nick Mullens - The Golden Eagles junior quarterback is having himself an impressive season so far, throwing for almost 1700 yards with 14 TDs and just three picks. He threw for 447 yards a pair of INTs on the road at Nebraska in Week 2.

2. Marshall Quarterbacks - Michael Birdsong has missed the last three games with a shoulder injury. Freshman Chase Litton has been hit and miss in three starts filling in. He had a terrible game against Kent State, completing just 38 percent of his passes for 151 yards with two TDs and a pair of INTs.

3. X-Factor - The Golden Eagles have covered the spread in five straight overall, and three straight on the road.

Selection: This is a play on the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (8*)