Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio State Odds
COLUMBUS, OH (The Spread) – The Urban Meyer era begins for No. 18 Ohio State on Saturday when the Buckeyes host Miami (Ohio) at Noon ET on The Big Ten Network.
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Ohio State went just 6-7 last season in a year that saw Jim Tressel leave the program due to NCAA violations. Meyer takes over as coach after spending a year away from football. Miami went just 4-8 last season under new coach Don Treadwell. The Buckeyes have won all four previous meetings with the RedHawks.
Trends show Ohio State is 4-1 against the spread in its last 5 games against Mid-American Conference opponents and 11-3 ATS in their last 14 non-conference games. Miami is 4-1 against the point spread odds in their last 5 against the Big Ten and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Oddsmakers have made Ohio State the favorite in this game, as they have point spread odds of -22.5 against Miami at home. The over/under for the game has been set at 47.5 points (View Matchup). Ohio State opened up as a 23.5-point favorite against Miami. The spread never got any higher, settling in at 22.5.
The Buckeyes are expected to go as far as Braxton Miller can take them on offense. Miller, a rushing quarterback is back for his sophomore year after rushing for 715 yards last year and throwing for 1,159 yards. Miller leads an offense under Meyer with six starters back. The Buckeyes should be able to run the ball well. Ohio State posted 191 rushing yards per game last year, which should help against the Miami defense. On defense for Ohio State, the Buckeyes have 9 starters back, including the entire front line. Ohio State was strongest against the pass in 2011, allowing only 182 yards per game through the air.
Miami returns 18 starters back from last year’s squad, including 9 starters on offense. Despite averaging just 21.3 points per game last season, the RedHawks did post 373 yards per game. Quarterback Zac Dysert threw for 3,513 yards and 23 TD’s last season as is one of the top quarterback in the MAC coming into the year. Dysert has receiver Nick Harwell back. Harwell caught 97 passes for 1,425 yards and 9 TD’s in 2011. Defensively, Miami held opponents to just 22.9 points per game, but struggled against the run, allowing 169 yards per game on the ground. Miami does have five starters back from the front seven.
In terms of Injuries, Ohio State is dealing with an injury to running back Jordan Hall, who will miss Saturday’s game with a knee injury. Tight end Jake Stoneburner and offensive lineman Jack Mewhort will both sit out the game for a violation of team rules. Miami linebacker Tyler Tucker is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
The Public Bets show that betters are solidly behind Ohio State. The Buckeyes are receiving 89% of the wagers for this game with point spread odds of -22.5 against Miami (Ohio).
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