The Miami-OH RedHawks and the UMass Minutemen meet Saturday in college football action from McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Miami-OH played Miami (FL) in their first outing of the year, falling by 35 points in blowout fashion. As for UMass, they’re coming off game two versus Auburn. In that one the Minutemen took a blowout loss. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Miami-OH Redhawks 

The Redhawks took on the Miami Hurricanes last Friday, and things didn’t go so great for Miami-OH. The RedHawks were down 16-3 at halftime, giving up points in every quarter on the way to a 38-3 blowout loss. Quarterback Brett Gabbert posted 127 yards on 12-of-21 passing, and Rashad Amos led an anemic rush on 30 yards from eight carries. 

Miami-OH didn’t have much chance at winning their opener game, and the scoreboard reflected that in the end. Still, the RedHawks did a few things right in Week 1, specifically avoiding penalties (five for 49 yards) and posting zero turnovers. Miami-OH was out-gained 483-215 in total yards and 27-9 in first down totals, though. 

Miami (OH) RedHawks Team Facts

Miami (OH) has lost four of its last five games as a road favorite.
Miami (OH) has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Miami (OH) has lost the first half in 16 of its last 21 games against non-conference opponents.
Each of Miami (OH)’s last six games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.

UMass Minutemen 

Over on the UMass side, they kicked off the year with a matchup versus New Mexico State back on August 26. The Minutemen scored 28 points in the fourth quarter (after entering the period up 13-10) to power out a 41-30 victory. Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh threw for 192 yards and also led the rush on 17 carries for 96 yards and a score. 

UMass took on Auburn in their second game of the year back on Saturday. In that one the Minutemen gave up points in every quarter (21 in two of them) on the way to a 59-14 blowout defeat. UMass’ Kay’Ron Adams was the leading rusher on 101 yards from 14 carries, and Anthony Simpson had four catches for 89 yards and a TD. 

Massachusetts Minutemen Team Facts

Massachusetts has lost 23 of its last 25 games against non-conference opponents.
Massachusetts has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five September games as an underdog.
Massachusetts has lost the first half in 22 of its last 25 games against non-conference opponents.
Each of Massachusetts’ last five September games as a home underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Massachusetts ranked 35th among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (4.6).
Massachusetts scored fewer than 15 points in six road games last season – most of any FBS team.
Miami (OH) was one of only eight FBS teams to lose 3+ games when leading after Q3 last season.
Miami (OH) ranked 13th among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (4.8).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to try UMass here. We should have a pretty fun matchup regardless, though. The Minutemen were out-gained 458-389 in total yards in their opener game versus New Mexico State, but the defense generated three turnovers and held the Aggies to 2-of-9 on third-down tries. The running game was working well (197 yards), as three different players found the end zone on the ground. Game two against Auburn was something of a mismatch for the Minutemen, but things should be on more equal footing here. In the Auburn matchup UMass gave up 492 total yards and 27 first downs. The two turnovers, nine penalties and 1-of-9 result on third-down tries didn’t help matters. All of that said, the Minutemen should fare much better in game three and I think they’ll power out a cover.