Miami (OH) vs. Ohio Prediction, Pick, and Odds: Will Kurtis Rourke, Bobcats Extend Their Win Streak?
Miami (OH) vs. Ohio Prediction, Pick, and Odds: Will Kurtis Rourke, Bobcats Extend Their Win Streak?
Ohio University is developing into a top contender within the MAC East. The Bobcats enter Tuesday's road game against Miami (Ohio) with a four-game winning streak intact. Led by second-year head coach Tim Albin, Ohio is scoring over 33 points per game, which ranks 35th best in the nation.
The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks are two games behind the Bobcats in the MAC East, trading wins for losses all season. Ninth-year head coach Chuck Martin has led the RedHawks to three bowl game appearances, with the most recent berth resulting in a win over North Texas in the Frisco Football Classic last season. Miami has the opposite identity of Ohio, meaning it excels at defense but lacks a potent offense. Which MAC East program will emerge with a win? Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Tuesday's primetime MAC East tilt between the Ohio University Bobcats vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks.
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Miami (OH) vs. Ohio Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Tuesday, November 8
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN2
Miami (OH) vs. Ohio Odds
- Spread: Ohio -1.5 (-110), Miami (OH) +1.5 (-110)
- Total: Under/Over 50.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Ohio (-120), Miami (OH) (+100)
Click here for Ohio vs Miami (OH) odds
Miami (OH) vs. Ohio Injury Report
Ohio University
No injuries to report.
Miami (OH)
No injuries to report.
Miami (OH) vs. Ohio Prediction
These two MAC East programs play each other close historically, with Ohio taking the most recent win 35-33 in Athens last year. Miami has won two of the previous three games in the series, including the last time they played in Oxford, winning 30-28 as seven-point underdogs in 2018. It may be different this time around.
Ohio is led by junior quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who is completing 68.5 percent of his passes for 2,725 yards and a bristling 5:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Freshman running back Sieth Bangura is playing well as the Bobcats' leading ball carrier, racking eight total touchdowns and averaging 4.6 YPC.
Rourke has enough mobility to be dangerous extending plays or executing designed runs, carrying 62 times and finding the end zone four times as a ball carrier. Former Ohio State wideout Sam Wiglusz is Rourke's favorite target within the offense, leading the team in receptions (55), yards (710), and touchdowns (9), so expect the RedHawks to dial up a game plan to contain Wiglusz as much as possible.
Miami hasn't scored a lot in Chuck Martin's multiple-style offense this year, so they have to rely on their defense to force turnovers and limit touchdowns. The good news is that the RedHawks have only allowed one passing touchdown across their previous three games, which includes pass-centric Bowling Green State University. Ohio may have to pivot to Bangura and Rourke on the ground where Miami is most vulnerable, allowing 4.0 YPC in two of its previous three games. As talented as Rourke has been with his passing ability, he has thrown interceptions, meaning Miami has a chance to linger and play its style of football.
The Bobcats' defense was a concern early but they have improved dramatically as of late. Ohio has forced two or more turnovers in four of its past five games, including six against Western Michigan and three against Buffalo while holding three consecutive quarterbacks below a 55 percent completion rate.
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Miami junior quarterback Aveon Smith is only completing 52.5 percent of his throws, but he's a capable runner, averaging 5.0 YPC and entering Tuesday's game with the second-most (63) rushing attempts on the team. No team has scored more than two touchdowns against the Bobcats' defense in their last three games played. It's a tall order for the RedHawks.
The lines indicate a pick'em spread, which means each team gets -110 odds. However, the outright winner on the moneyline gets a slight bump, as Miami is +100 home underdogs against the Bobcats. The point total line is set at 50.5 in either direction at -110, which I don't necessarily like. Since the unders hit for Miami, but the overs tend to hit for Ohio, I want to bet on the safest line, which is the Bobcats to win. Since the odds are slightly better on the spread as a -110, let's bet this line instead of -120 on the moneyline.
Miami (OH) vs. Ohio Pick
- Ohio University -1.5 (-110) Bet $100 to collect $190. Click here to bet at DraftKings, who have the best odds
Article Author
Matt is an avid writer, editor, and researcher. He enjoys analyzing the game within the game which is fantasy sports and sports betting. Music is another constant in his daily life. Matt loves spending time with his wife and three pets. He likes to read, listen to podcasts, and is constantly motivated to create the most accurate and engaging content in the sports betting industry.