Cure Bowl Pick: Miami (OH) vs. App State

Miami (OH) RedHawks (11-2 SU, ATS 9-3) vs Appalachian State Mountaineers (8-5 SU, ATS 4-5-1)

Date: 3:30 EST Saturday, December 16th

Location: FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

TV: ABC

Point Spread: MU +4.5/ASU -4.5

Money Line: Mia-OH +163/App St. -201

Over/Under: 48

The Miami (OH) RedHawks and Appalachian State Mountaineers will battle in the Cure Bowl on Dec 16th, 2023 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL. The over/under for this matchup is currently 48, while Appalachian State is favored by -4.5.

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Head-to-Head Matchup:

The previous three head-to-head matchups have gone in favor of Miami (OH) with a record of 2-1. Miami (OH) and Appalachian State did not play last season. The over/under record in these games was 2-1, with the teams averaging 55 points per game combined. Miami (OH) went 2-1 vs. the spread.

Miami (OH) RedHawks Recent Form:

Going into their game vs. Appalachian State, the Miami (OH) RedHawks are coming off a 23-14 win over the Toledo Rockets and have an above .500 record of 11-2.

Miami (OH) was the underdog at +6.5, giving them an ATS and straight-up win. The under hit in the game with the over/under line set at 43 points.

In the win against Toledo, Aveon Smith threw for 109 yards on 6 of 16 passing. His overall passer rating was 61.72, and he did not throw or rush for a touchdown.

Quarterback Aveon Smith also was productive in the running game against Toledo, carrying the ball 21 times for 99 yards. Miami (OH)’s most productive receiver in the game was Luke Bolden, who finished with 40 on one reception.

On defense, Miami (OH) finished their game against Toledo by giving up a total of 370 yards. Toledo threw the ball 36 times for 273 vs. Miami (OH). While on the ground, the RedHawks gave up 97 rushing yards. The RedHawks defense comes into the game with 34 sacks, and ranked 1st in QB hurries. In terms of points allowed, they are giving up 16.2 points per game (55th). When it comes to defending the pass, they are ranked 46th in the NCAA, allowing an average of 197.2 passing yards per game. Additionally, Miami (OH)’s run defense comes in allowing 129.5 rushing yards per contest.

Away Injury Report

Appalachian State Mountaineers Recent Form:

Despite dropping their most recent game by a score of 49-23 to Troy, the Appalachian State Mountaineers still have an above .500 record of 8-5 as they take on Miami (OH).

Not only did Appalachian State lose straight-up in this matchup, but they also lost vs. the spread as 5.5-point underdogs. Combining for 72 points, the teams exceeded the line of 53 points.

In the loss against Troy, Joey Aguilar threw for 275 yards on 28 of 39 passing. His overall passer rating was 91.29, and he did not throw or rush for a touchdown.

Kanye Roberts carried the rushing load for Appalachian State against Troy, accumulating 53 yards on 13 attempts and finding the endzone two times. Appalachian State’s most productive receiver in the game was Kaedin Robinson, who finished with 70 on six receptions.

On defense, Appalachian State finished their game against Troy by giving up a total of 463 yards. Troy threw the ball 24 times for 192 vs. Appalachian State. While on the ground, the Mountaineers gave up 271 rushing yards. Looking at this week’s game, the Appalachian State defense stands at 131st in points allowed, permitting 28.4 points on average per game. So far, opposing teams have managed 213.1 passing yards per game against them (72nd). On the ground, they’re conceding 177.8 rushing yards, ranking them 134th in college football.

Home Injury Report

Betting Trends

• Miami (OH) is 2-1 ATS in their last road games.
• Looking across Appalachian State’s five most recent home games, they are 2-3 against the spread.
• Appalachian State’s ATS record in their five most recent games as an underdog is 3-1-1.
• Miami (OH) is 8-2 in their last ten games as the favorite.

Free Pick

In this Cure Bowl matchup in Orlando, I’m going to jump all over the Miami RedHawks to cover at +4.5. Look for their defense that finished the regular season giving up just 15.8 points per contest to keep things close and give Miami a chance to win. I’m taking the RedHawks as +4.5 point underdogs.