09: Mitch's Free Pick Against The Spread College Football

Written by Mitch | 03 September 2009

Kentucky Wildcats at Miami (OH) Redhawks (at Cincinnati, OH)

College Football: Saturday September 5, 2009, 12 PM EST (ESPNU)

The Line: Miami (OH) +15

Normally when I do my write ups of games I kind of talk about each team individually and then I'll try and show what separates them and give you some insight as to why I am going the direction that I'm going, I don't see the reason for it in this game.

Unless Miami of Ohio shows us something this year and shows us something fast, this game has all of the makings of a blow out. Last year's Redhawk team lost eight of their last nine games and they were the favorite to win the MAC before the year started.

Mike Haywood comes to Miami after seving as an assistant to some of the biggest names in the game including Mack Brown, Charlie Weiss, Lou Holtz, and Nick Saban but he's never been a head coach himself. He has his work cut out for him because last year's Senior laden squad is just about gone, especially on defense.

Miami had trobule stopping the spread offense last year and it cost them dearly as it seemed like they were playing against one just about every week. To make matters worse, he losses most of his top tacklers and defenders.

In Kentucky, things are looking up for Rich Brooks' Wildcats. Last year the expectations were guarded after losing Andre Woodson at QB, the Cats still made it to and won their bowl game. This year the offense should be a lot mor experienced and the defense, well simply, it's a Rich Brooks coached team.

QB Mike Hartline returns and while his wide receivers were nothing to brag about, the offense played on a short field and wwas able to convert enough to go bowling. Joker Phillips runs the show as offensive coordinator and he's one of the best though he is going to need more help from his pass catchers to make things run more smoothly.

The Kentucky ddefense has at least three players with NFL early round talent who could have easily left last year and would have been playing un Sundays this season. They have depth and speed across the board and shouldn't be a concern to anyone looking at this game.

While Miami (OH) is 4-1 against the spread in their last five as a double digit favorite, they are just 4-10 against the spread in their last 14 overall. Kentucky is just 1-4-1 against the spread in their last six games as a favorite but they are a strong 7-1-1 against the spread in their last nine game against non-SEC teams.

This games has all the makings of a brutal pounding. As Miami will try and ground it out, I don't see them driving down te field on Kentucky. The Wildcat offense isn't all that impressive but it should be plenty in this one. This shoulld be a real physical beating.

Mitch's Pick: Kentucky -15 (6 out of 10 confidence rating)