3* Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl *BEST BET*

Florida International vs. Marshall, 12/20/2011 20:00 EDT, Score: 10 - 20

Point Spread: +4½/-115 Marshall

Sportsbook: Bovada

Result: Win

3* Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl *BEST BET* (ESPN) on Marshall +4.5
Marshall has two fewer wins than FIU, but it played the tougher schedule, and I believe it's the tougher team. With this is mind, I'll gladly take the points.
The Thundering Herd are 6-6, but they faced the 15th-toughest schedule in the nation. Consider that 5 of their 6 losses came to bowl teams. They also beat a pair of bowl teams, including C-USA champion So. Miss.
FIU defeated Toledo 34-32 in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl last year, needing a game-winning field goal as time expired to do so. This will be a tough encore for the Golden Panthers as they go up against an opportunistic Marshall defense that is led by stud end Vinny Curry, who was 2nd in the country with 21.5 tackles for loss.
FIU is just 2-11 ATS in its last 13 games when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest. The Golden Panthers are also just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
The Thundering Herd are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 bowl games. We'll take the points.