Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio Total Pick
Will Ohio put up a strong defensive effort when the Bobcats play host to Miami (Ohio) tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Ohio is the favorite in tonight’s game, as the Bobcats are getting odds of -9.5 points against Miami. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 54 points. Ohio has won four straight meetings with Miami (Ohio) and the two have hit the under in seven of their last eight encounters. The public is currently putting 74 percent of the wagers on Ohio at home. Tonight’s game takes place from Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio and will air live on ESPN2.
Miami (Ohio) is coming off a 24-14 win over Buffalo just over a week ago to improve to 3-5 on the season and 2-2 in the MAC. The Red Hawks have hit the under in five of their eight games. Miami’s defense hasn’t been too bad, as the team is allowing just 24.5 points and 356.3 yards per game. Their pass defense is allowing just 191 yards per contest. On offense, Miami is only putting up 23.6 points and 383.8 yards per game. Quarterback Gust Ragland has thrown for 1,398 yards and 12 touchdowns, but missed last game with a leg injury. He is questionable to play tonight. Billy Bahl will go if Ragland can’t. Bahl has 470 yards on a 50 percent completion rate. Receiver James Gardner has 681 receiving yards and six touchdowns while Kenny Young has 566 yards rushing with four touchdowns.
Ohio is coming off a 48-3 thrashing of Kent State at home just over a week ago. The Bobcats are 6-2 on the season and 3-1 in the MAC. Ohio is 6-2 with the over this season and 3-1 with it at home. The Bobcats are putting up 40.8 points per game on offense this season, including 422.1 yards per game. Their run game has been a strong point, as A.J. Ouellette has 747 yards and six touchdowns while quarterback Nathan Rourke has 499 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns and 1,210 passing yards with 10 more scores. The team also has Dorian Brown, who has 443 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Ohio is holding opponents to 25.4 points and 365.1 yards per game this year.
The under has been common in this series and I like it to hit again tonight. While Ohio has a great offense, it faces a Miami defense that can hold its own. The Red Hawks aren’t likely to move the ball all that well against Ohio’s defense at the home of the Bobcats either, especially if Ragland can’t play. Miami has hit the under in four of its last five conference games and five of its last seven Tuesday games. Ohio has hit the under in seven of its last 10 at home and six of its last seven Tuesday games.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MIAMI/OHIO UNDER 54