Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) Odds, Picks and Predictions: Bobcats Keep Bowl Aspirations Alive

There’s nothing better than midweek football, and luckily enough we have MACtion to look forward to this week. Ohio is one of the three teams at 4-1 in conference play in the East Division, so winning every game will be crucial.

The Bobcats are expected to be in a fight Tuesday night as they travel to face the Miami RedHawks, who despite their record, are never an easy out. Will the Cats keep the winning ways alive, or will the Hawks move closer toward bowl eligibility? 

Check out our college football betting picks and predictions for Ohio vs. Miami on Tuesday, November 7 to find out. 

Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) best odds

Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) picks and predictions

It’s been quite the turnaround for Tim Albin and the Ohio Bobcats. A year after altering to a 3-9 record, the Bobcats are in the driver's seat in the MAC East Division.

There’s a tie between three teams atop the standings at 4-1 in conference play, although Ohio holds the tiebreaker over Buffalo after notching a dominant 45-24 win a week ago. The Bobcats play Bowling Green, the other surprise team at 4-1, during the final week of the season. 

Ohio’s calling card is an efficient offense averaging 33.4 points and 431.3 total yards per game. It has effectively moved the ball through the air, averaging a robust 309.4 passing yards per game — which ranks 13th nationally.

Kurtis Rourke has really come into his own as a passer, completing 68.3% of his passes for 9.0 yards per attempt, while accumulating 21 touchdowns and just four interceptions. His go-to target is Sam Wiglusz, who has caught 55 passes for 710 yards and nine touchdowns. 

The Miami RedHawks have been mostly nondescript this season, going 4-5 both straight up and against the spread. Quarterback Brett Gabbert was hurt in the opener, and the offense really struggled without his presence in the lineup. The RedHawks are averaging just 19.4 points per game this season and have continued to struggle upon Gabbert’s return two weeks ago.

After scoring just 10 points in a loss against Western Michigan, Miami managed just 268 total yards of offense on 4.5 yards per play against a woeful Akron defense last week. The RedHawks managed just 13 first downs against a Zips team that usually allows 21.8 first downs per game. 

Miami has been able to rely on a solid defense that allows just 21.4 points per game. I’m not so sure that it’ll be able to shut down a Bobcats offense that is among the best in the MAC. The RedHawks surrendered 415 total yards when they played Kent State, who has a comparable offense to Ohio. True, Miami won that game, but the Flashes have cratered by going just 1-3 over their last four games. 

Ohio has been undervalued this season at 6-3 ATS and I’ll back it to pick up another victory in Week 11.

My best bet: Ohio moneyline (-115 at DraftKings)

Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) spread analysis

Be sure to shop around, as there are quite a few different lines available at the time of this writing. Miami is listed at +1.5 at a number of sportsbooks but is as low as a pick ‘em at DraftKings. 

The Bobcats have been a great bet this season, going a perfect 5-0 ATS in conference play. They’ve been the underdog in three straight games, winning each game outright with an average cover margin of 18 points. The betting market was too low on this team after they put on a miserable performance a year ago with a 3-9 record.

That record needs to be put into context, however, as program legend Frank Solich abruptly stepped down in July 2021 to focus on his health. July is very late in the cycle to lose a head coach, and Ohio naturally suffered the effects. Former Solich assistant Tim Albin has maintained the offense we’re familiar with for the Bobcats and seems to have righted the ship in 2022.

Miami may be coming off a week of rest, but is that a good thing for the RedHawks? Miami is just 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight games following a bye week. The RedHawks have struggled against quality opposition, going just 1-4 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning road record. While some might point out that they’re 15-6 ATS in their last 21 home games, it’s worth noting that they’re just 1-4 ATS in their last five home games against a team with a winning record

Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) Over/Under analysis

The total can be had for either 50.5 or 51 as of the time of this writing.

Taking the Under has been a great bet in Miami games, cashing in eight of its nine games this season. The RedHawks have now gone Under the total in six straight games and are a perfect 5-0 during conference play. Miami’s defense is allowing just 348 yards per game on 5.0 yards per play. Ryan McWood leads the way with 80 tackles, while Matthew Salopek has 77 tackles and three sacks.

Ohio has been the opposite in that the Bobcats are 6-3 to the Over this season. While the offense has been terrific in averaging 6.4 yards per play, the defense is surrendering a whopping 481.9 total yards per game on 6.5 yards per play.

It’s worth noting that the Bobcats have tidied things up in recent weeks, holding Western Michigan to 14 points, Northern Illinois to 17 points, and Buffalo to 24 points in their last three outings. The most yards they surrendered in that stretch was 377 to Northern Illinois, so it seems like they’ve definitely found some improvements after struggling early in the year. 

It’s difficult to step in front of the Under train that has been Miami this season.

Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) betting trend to know

Ohio is 5-0 ATS in conference play this season. Find more NCAA betting trends for Ohio vs. Miami (Ohio).

Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) game info

Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) latest injuries

Ohio vs Miami (Ohio) weather

Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.

Pages related to this topic