The Ohio Bobcats and the Miami-Ohio RedHawks meet Saturday in MAC Championship Game college football action from Ford Field. Here’s a Miami-OH vs Ohio prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Miami-OH vs Ohio pick.
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
Ohio got off to a shaky 4-3 start this year, taking losses to Syracuse, Kentucky, and Miami-OH along the way. Since then, however, the Bobcats have won five straight games over Buffalo, Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, and Ball State.
Last Friday versus Ball State, the Bobcats scored in every quarter—including double-digits in the first and third—during a 42-21 win. QB Parker Navarro notched 169 pass yards and three scores with a pick while also leading the rush on 110 yards and two more TDs.
Miami-OH RedHawks Betting Preview
Over on the RedHawks’ side, they limped out of the gate with losses to Northwestern, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and Toledo in their first five. It’s been wins over Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Central Michigan, Ball State, Kent State, NIU, and Bowling Green in the last seven outings, though.
In their latest matchup versus Bowling Green on Friday, the RedHawks were up 14-5 going into the final quarter and ended up winning 28-12. Brett Gabbert had 255 yards passing with three scores and two interceptions. Tops in receiving was Javon Tracy with three grabs for 91 yards and a TD.
Why the Miami (OH) RedHawks will win
- Miami (OH) has won each of its last 17 games as a favorite.
- The favorite has covered the spread in five of Ohio’s last six games.
- Ohio has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games played at neutral venues.
- Miami (OH) has won the first half in each of its last seven games against conference opponents.
- Miami (OH) has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against conference opponents.
Why the Ohio Bobcats will win
- Ohio has won 10 of its last 11 games against conference opponents.
- Ohio has covered the spread in each of its last five games.
- Ohio has won the first half in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last four games between Ohio and Miami (OH) has gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of Ohio’s last five games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Miami-OH vs Ohio Prediction
I’m going to lean toward Ohio, but you could certainly make a case either way. This should be an excellent matchup. The last time these teams saw each other was back on October 19 in a 30-20 RedHawks win at Yager Stadium. The Bobcats had a couple of turnovers and a 150-110 deficit in rushing attempts but stats-wise both teams were pretty even. The major exception was Ohio’s 8-of-16 on third downs (and 22 first downs total) versus the RedHawks’ 2-of-10 success rate (and 15 first downs total). The Bobcats also got off to a very slow start and trailed 30-6 by the end of the third quarter.
Ohio has looked good over this five-game win streak, with 24 or more points in all five games and 35 or more in four of them. The defense has only given up more than 16 points once in that time (21 versus Ball State) as well. This Saturday’s matchup is going to take a complete effort on both sides of the ball (not to mention a much faster start) but I think the Bobcats can pull it off. Should be a great one to watch regardless.