The Miami (OH) RedHawks (+7) aren’t traveling far to face the Ohio Bobcats at Peden Stadium. Kickoff for this important showdown is set for 8:00 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action on ESPN2. When these two programs met a year ago, Miami (OH) emerged victorious by a final score of 30-28.
Betting Preview: Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Ohio Bobcats
In this mid-week Mid-American game, Ohio is getting picked as the favorite and is currently giving up 7 points. The RedHawks are also receiving +210 moneyline odds while the Bobcats are -270. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 54.5 points, and if one team can create a bunch of points early, it will likely result in a nice in-game betting opportunity.
The RedHawks have gained 1.3 units so far and are 4-4 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 5-3.
The Bobcats have lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-6 ATS and have an even O/U record of 4-4.
The RedHawks have gone 4-4 straight up (SU), including 3-1 SU against MAC opponents. The Bobcats are 4-4 SU overall and are also 3-1 SU in conference play.
Both teams enter the contest on two-game unbeaten streaks. The RedHawks are coming off a 23-16 win over Kent State on October 26. The passing game left much to be desired as Brett Gabbert completed just 13-of-29 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown. Jaylon Bester (67 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) and Tyre Shelton (148 yards on 14 carries) led the ground attack while Dominique Robinson (three receptions, 80 yards) and Maurice Thomas (two catches, -1 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
The Ohio Bobcats are coming off of a 34-21 win over Ball State. The defense allowed the Cardinals to rush for 242 yards on 35 attempts, including two rush TDs. Walter Fletcher was on a different level for Ball State, recording 156 rushing yards and a score on 14 attempts. For Ohio, Nathan Rourke completed eight-of-16 passes for 131 yards and one interception. O’Shaan Allison (104 rushing yards on 18 attempts) and the signal-caller Rourke (127 yards on 18 carries, two TDs) handled the running attack as Isiah Cox (five receptions, 92 yards) and Cameron Odom (two catches, 32 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Looking at offensive play-calling, each of these squads has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Miami (OH) has run the ball on 60.7 percent of its offensive possessions while Ohio has an overall rush percentage of 59.5. The RedHawks have produced 124.1 rush yards per game (including 152.5 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have 12 scores on the ground this year. The Bobcats are averaging 193.5 rush yards per game (227.3 in conference) and have 20 total rushing TDs.
The RedHawks offense has tallied 172.4 yards per contest through the air overall (207.8 per game versus conference opposition) and has five passing scores so far. The Bobcats have produced 218.1 pass yards per contest (222 against MAC foes) and have 11 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Miami (OH) seems to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 184 rush yards and 211.3 pass yards per game. The Ohio D has allowed 241.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 205.0 yards per game on the ground. The RedHawks are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.12 to opponents, while the Bobcats have allowed a 7.7 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Gabbert is up to 1,087 yards this season, and has connected on 53 percent of his 168 attempts with four scores through the air and five interceptions. Gabbert’s got a 4.69 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.19 over the last two games.
We expect the RedHawks to control the clock by getting the ball into the hands of their running backs. Along with Jalen Walker (150 yards, one TD), Tyre Shelton (303 rush yards, one rush TD) and Jaylon Bester (235 rush yards, three rush TDs) have delivered in the Miami (OH) offensive scheme.
In the home locker room, Nathan Rourke has managed to complete 103-of-178 passes for 1,401 yards, eight TDs and five INTs. Rourke’s ANY/A stands at 6.43 for the season and 10.31 across his last two outings.
The Bobcats also like to leverage their backfield. In addition to Isiah Cox (292 receiving yards), Nathan Rourke (457 rush yards, six rush TDs, one receiving TD) and De’Montre Tuggle (223 rush yards, five rush TDs, 58 receiving yards, one TD) have gotten a multitude of touches recently.
Miami (OH) RedHawks at Ohio Bobcats Free NCAA Betting Tip
SU Winner: Ohio, ATS Winner: Ohio, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- The Miami (OH) defense has 17 sacks on the year while Ohio has 13.
- The Ohio offense has lost five fumbles in 2019 while Miami (OH) has let six get away.
- The RedHawks offense has created six pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Bobcats have accounted for five such plays.
- Both teams have allowed six pass plays of 40 yards or more and 13 pass plays of 30+ yards.
- The Miami (OH) offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Ohio has created 13 such runs.
- The RedHawks defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Bobcats have given up 18 such runs.
- The Over/Under for Ohio’s last match was set at 60.5. The under cashed in the team’s 34-21 win over Ball State.
- Over its last three games, Ohio is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three matches, Miami (OH) is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Miami (OH)’s last game was set at 54. The under cashed in the team’s 23-16 victory over Kent State.
- As a team, Miami (OH) has averaged 4.2 yards per rush attempt across its last three games and 4.6 over its last two.
- Ohio has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.3 over its last two.
