The Ohio Bobcats (4-2) travel to Oxford, Ohio, to take on the Miami (OH) RedHawks (2-4) on Saturday, October 19. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen live on ESPN+.
Miami (OH) is currently favored by four points on the spread with a total set at 44.5.
This is the 100th meeting in the “Battle of the Bricks” rivalry, and both of these teams come in off of conference road wins last week.
Here's my Ohio vs. Miami (OH) predictions and my college football picks for Saturday.
Ohio vs Miami (OH) Prediction
- Ohio vs Miami (OH) Pick: Ohio +4
My Ohio vs Miami (OH) best bet is on the Bobcats to cover the spread with the best line currently available at BetRivers, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Ohio vs Miami (OH) Odds
| Ohio Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 44 -110 / -110 | +145 |
| Miami (OH) Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 44 -110 / -110 | -170 |
- Ohio vs Miami (OH) Point Spread: Ohio +3.5 (-110) · Miami (OH) -3.5 (-110)
- Ohio vs Miami (OH) Total: Over/Under 44
- Ohio vs Miami (OH) Moneyline: Ohio +145 · Miami (OH) -170
Ohio vs Miami (OH) Preview
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview: Can Navarro Keep it Up?
Ohio defeated Central Michigan last week on the road. The Bobcats were up 24-0 at half in as dominating of a performance as you'll see in the MAC.
CMU had 23 total yards, punted on every possession and had three first downs in the opening half.
Ohio scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to seemingly take firm control of the game.
In the second half, CMU found momentum scoring 18 straight points to get back in it.
For the game, Ohio was able to get the ground game going, and it was quarterback Parker Navarro pacing the team with 176 rushing yards.
Navarro added 147 passing yards and a score through the air.
Miami RedHawks Betting Preview: Defense Flexing Muscles
Miami (OH) rebounded from a tough loss against Toledo by defeating Eastern Michigan, 38-14.
The RedHawks played their first complete football game of the season. The offense used seven explosive plays — including a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the game — and a solid rushing attack to separate from the Eagles early on.
The Miami (OH) defense made it very tough on EMU all afternoon, as it twice stopped EMU on downs in scoring territory.
Ohio vs Miami (OH)
Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Ohio and Miami (OH) match up statistically:
Ohio Offense vs. Miami (OH) Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 52 | 87 | |
| Line Yards | 87 | 101 | |
| Pass Success | 81 | 30 | |
| Havoc | 124 | 118 | |
| Finishing Drives | 87 | 21 | |
| Quality Drives | 91 | 80 | |
Miami (OH) Offense vs. Ohio Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 124 | 35 | |
| Line Yards | 58 | 28 | |
| Pass Success | 62 | 97 | |
| Havoc | 106 | 55 | |
| Finishing Drives | 130 | 96 | |
| Quality Drives | 78 | 76 |  |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 83 | 128 |
| PFF Coverage | 77 | 122 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 96 | 72 |
| Middle 8 | 50 | 90 |
| Seconds per Play | 29.7 (122) | 28.8 (99) |
| Rush Rate | 64% (21) | 45% (119) |
Ohio vs Miami (OH) Pick & Prediction
While Miami (OH) played a solid offensive game against EMU, I'm hard pressed to assume these RedHawks can replicate the success this week.
Miami (OH) ranks very poorly in advanced offensive metrics nationally. The RedHawks are just 124th in offensive EPA per play. They're also amongst the worst in FBS in EPA per rush (125th), EPA per pass (110th) and offensive finishing drives (133rd).
Prior to the EMU contest, Miami (OH) had scored six total touchdowns its first five games. Ohio has a solid defense by MAC standards, and its stop unit has the upper hand when it's on the field.
Miami (OH) has been throwing the ball quite a bit this year, but quarterback Brett Gabbert hasn’t played overly well and has seemingly regressed season after season. This year, he's completing just 56% of his passes with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The Miami (OH) offensive line has also struggled to protect Gabbert, as the RedHawks have surrendered 15 sacks at the halfway point of the season.
That's bad news because Ohio has a solid defensive line led by Bradley Weaver and Ben McNaboe.
Ohio has lived in the opponent’s backfield quite a bit this season, with 39 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Ohio is just 80th nationally in defensive EPA per pass, but Gabbert has struggled this year when facing pressure.
And guess what? He'll be under pressure in this game.
Offensively, Miami (OH) has been terrible on third down this year, converting just 35% of them. They have a notoriously conservative offensive staff, as the RedHawks routinely punt on fourth-and-short from anywhere on the field.
The RedHawks only have three attempts on fourth down this season and haven't converted any.
The Ohio defense is very strong on third down, too, allowing conversions just 33% of the time.
Ohio ranks 21st nationally in EPA per rush and is giving up just 110 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry. I don’t foresee Miami (OH) having a great deal of success on the ground from a group that averages just 99 rushing yards per game.
Offensively, Ohio is going to run the football, as it has on 64% of its snaps this season. Running back Anthony Tyus III is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and leads the team with 595 yards on the season.
Navarro is the second leading rusher, as the Bobcats run the quarterback often.
Miami (OH) is just 101st nationally in defensive rush play success rate. The RedHawks' front seven has struggled to create negative plays in the backfield and has only registered eight sacks this season.
I'm taking Ohio in this matchup. Its defense matches up well with the Miami (OH) offense, particularly in the trenches. The front seven is going to create problems for Gabbert, who's struggled under pressure.
The offense will be able to run the ball effectively and stay in third-and-short.
I trust the Ohio running game to get the job done in the fourth quarter when it matters most.
Pick: Ohio +4 (Play to +3)
Ohio vs Miami (OH) Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How To Watch
| Location: | Yager Stadium |
| Date: | Saturday, Oct. 19 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN+ |
Ohio takes on Miami (OH) at Yager Stadium on Saturday, October, 19, at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Ohio vs Miami (OH) Betting Trends
- 98% of the bets in the Action app are on Miami (OH) to cover the spread against Ohio
- Meanwhile, 100% of the money in the Action app is on Miami (OH) to cover the spread against Ohio.
- 98% of the bets and 100% of the money is on the over in this MAC affair.
