The Associated Press

No. 25 MARSHALL (6-0, 2-0 Conference USA) at FIU (3-4, 2-1), 6 p.m. ET (ASN)

Line: Marshall by 21-1/2.

Series Record: Marshall leads 2-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Marshall can take even more control of Conference USA’s East Division race against an FIU team that the Thundering Herd dominated to the tune of a 48-10 win last season. FIU can try to get back into the bowl picture, after falling under .500 again with a 16-13 loss to UTSA last weekend — a game where the Panthers let opportunities slip away.

KEY MATCHUP

Marshall QB Rakeem Cato vs. FIU pass rush. Cato is off to a great start, averaging 283 passing yards per game with 15 touchdowns against five interceptions. And he’s a Miami native, so this game will mean plenty to him, but he’ll face a Panthers defense that has 21 sacks so far and has allowed only five passing touchdowns.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marshall: RB Devon Johnson has five 100-yard games in six chances this season, and only a 91-yard effort against Ohio kept him from going 6-for-6 in that department. He’s had three rushing TDs in each of his last two games and is averaging 7.8 yards per carry this year.

FIU: QB Alex McGough doesn’t have great numbers, but the true freshman can take a big step forward if he helps the Panthers pull off this upset. He’s completed only 48 percent of his passes, but has eight TDs against four interceptions.

FACTS & FIGURES

FIU is 0-8 all-time against ranked teams, but 0-2 at home with those losses being close — 17-9 against No. 12 South Florida in 2008, and 28-21 against No. 20 Louisville in 2012. … Marshall has won seven straight games going back to last season. … The Thundering Herd have won their three road games this season by a combined 146-58, averaging 516 yards of offense. … Both teams come into the week ranked among the Top 25 in scoring defense.

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