Miami Redhawks at Ohio Bobcats Point Spread Pick

Miami Redhawks (6-2 SU, 6-2 ATS) at Ohio Bobcats (6-2, 4-4), 10/28/23

When: 3:30 pm ET Saturday, Oct. 28

Where: Peden Stadium

TV: CBSSN

CFB Betting Odds

Point Spread: Mia +6.5/Ohio -6.5

Money line: Mia +220/Ohio -275

Over/under: 40

It’s a big game in the MAC East when Ohio and Miami (Ohio) meet for their annual Battle of the Bricks Saturday afternoon in Athens.

These two teams are part of a three-way tie atop the MAC East, with one conference loss apiece. So, this game might very well decide a berth in the upcoming MAC championship game.

NCAAF Betting Odds

This week’s college football betting market opened Ohio at -6.5 over Miami, with an over/under of right around 40. Both figures were holding steady in the early betting action.

Miami-Ohio Betting Preview

The Redhawks just had a six-game winning streak snapped by a 21-17 loss at home to Toledo last Saturday. Miami fell down to the Rockets 7-0 late in the first quarter, trailed 21-3 at the half, pulled to within 21-17 late in the third but could get no closer and came up short ATS at +2.5.

The Redhawks got out-rushed by Toledo 158-97 and lost the turnover battle 2-0.

The big bad news to come out of last week’s game for Miami concerns QB Brett Gabbert, who suffered a bad leg injury and is out for the season. But at least the Redhawks have a capable backup in sophomore Aveon Smith, who accounted for 17 touchdowns in nine starts last season.

Miami opened its MAC slate four games ago with a 23-3 win over Kent State, then blanked Bowling Green 27-0, then won at Western Michigan 34-21.

The Redhawks returned 16 starters this season from a team that played 4-4 in the MAC last year.

Meanwhile, the Bobcats are also 3-1 in MAC play after holding off Western Michigan last Saturday 20-17. Ohio, favored by 16 points, scored the first six points of the game, led 13-10 at the half and 20-10 in the fourth quarter. But the Bobcats just couldn’t shake the Broncos and never threatened to cover that spread.

Ohio out-gained Western Michigan 460-369, out-rushed the Broncos 185-79, and won the time of possession by a 36:24 split.

The Bobcats opened their MAC slate four games ago with a 38-7 win over Bowling Green, then beat Kent State 42-17, then lost at Northern Illinois 23-13.

Ohio returned 15 starters this season from a team that played 7-1 in the MAC last season. So, the Bobcats remain the favorites to win the East Division this season.

Common Opponents

These teams have played three common opponents so far this season; Kent State, Bowling Green, and Western Michigan. The Redhawks played those opponents to 3-0 both SU and ATS and +113 yards per game, the Bobcats to 3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS and +149 YPG.

Miami-Ohio Recent History

The Bobcats own the recent rivalry with the Redhawks, winning seven of the last nine meetings SU, going 5-3-1 ATS. Last year, Ohio racked up 556 yards of total offense, beat Miami 37-21, and covered at -2.

Totals Report

The totals are split 4-4 in Redhawks games this season, which are averaging 49 total points.

The Unders are 7-1 in Bobcats games, which are averaging 36 points.

Free College Football Betting Pick

Miami is out-rushing opponents by 18 YPG this season, but Ohio is out-rushing foes by 52 YPG. Also, the Bobcats own the better defense. Also, we expect an improved performance from Ohio this week after a rather dull one last week. Meanwhile, the Redhawks are without their starting QB. We’re betting on the Bobcats on Saturday, minus the points.