The Massachusetts Minutemen (+14) are set to face off against the Ohio Bobcats (-14) at Peden Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN 3 and kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. ET. When the two programs faced one another a year ago, Ohio got the victory 58-50.
Massachusetts Minutemen at Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
The Minutemen head into this Saturday game as a big underdog and they’re currently getting 14 points. The Minutemen are also receiving +500 moneyline odds while the Bobcats are -735. If one side can find paydirt early, it’ll probably create a worthwhile in-game betting opportunity.
The Minutemen are 2-3 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 1.0 unit so far. The team’s posted an Over-Under record of 4-1. The Bobcats are down 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-2 ATS and own an O/U record of 2-0.
The Minutemen have gone 2-3 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Bobcats are 1-2 SU.
The Minutemen are on the upswing after a 49-31 win over Charlotte last week where Michael Curtis completed 12-of-19 passes for only 189 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Fredericks (just 30 yards on 13 rush attempts) and Marquis Young (74 yards on 12 carries, two TDs) led the ground attack while Andy Isabella (six receptions, 85 yards, one TD) and Young (two catches, 18 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Ohio just lost a 34-30 game to Cincinnati. The defensive unit let the Bearcats eat up the clock by rushing for 150 yards on 34 attempts, including three rush TDs. Michael Warren II put up a productive outing for Cincinnati, accounting for 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 attempts. For Ohio, Nathan Rourke completed 12-of-27 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. A.J. Ouellette (71 yards on 21 rush attempts, one TD) and Maleek Irons (64 yards on 12 carries) handled the running game while Cameron Odom (five receptions, 114 yards) and Papi White (two catches, 23 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Massachusetts has run the ball on 52.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Ohio has an overall rush percentage of 55.8 percent. The Minutemen have run for 159 yards/game and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bobcats are logging 166 rush yards per game and have six total rushing TDs.
The Minutemen offensive scheme has averaged 234 yards through the air overall and has eight passing TDs so far. The Bobcats have produced 234 pass yards per contest and have five total pass scores.
Massachusetts seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 229 yards and throw for 219 yards per game. The Ohio D has allowed 379.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 161.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Minutemen are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 8.63 to opposing QBs, while the Bobcats have allowed an ugly 9.59 ANY/A.
Offensively, Curtis is up to 215 passing yards this year. He’s completed 68 percent of his 22 attempts with two scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Curtis has a sparkling 10.87 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.42 over the last two outings.
The Minutemen will likely try to control tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Along with Andy Isabella (407 yards, three TDs), Marquis Young (244 rush yards, four rush TDs, 51 receiving yards) and Jordan Fredericks (85 rush yards, one rush TD, one receiving TD) have really been focal points in the Massachusetts offensive scheme.
Nathan Rourke has completed 14-of-35 passes for 222 yards, one TD and one INT for Ohio. His ANY/A sits at a less-than-ideal 4.92 for the year and 6.50 across his past two outings.
The Bobcats will also try to control the game’s pace by turning to their backfield. In addition to Papi White (177 receiving yards, one receiving TD), Nathan Rourke (112 rush yards, one rush TD) and Maleek Irons (116 rush yards, one TD) have seen a multitude of touches lately.
Betting Prediction: Massachusetts Minutemen at Ohio Bobcats
SU Winner – Ohio, ATS Winner – Ohio
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Notes
Betting Notes
Each team defense has recorded four sacks this season.
The Ohio offense has lost three fumbles in 2018 while Massachusetts has let five get away.
The Minutemen offense has registered three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Bobcats have put up two such plays.
The Massachusetts defense has allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards, while Ohio has given up five such plays.
The Massachusetts offense has created five rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Ohio has created four such runs.
The Minutemen defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Bobcats have given up three such runs.
Ohio was favored by 7 points in its previous outing and the O/U going into it was 56. The over cashed and Ohio failed to cover in the team’s 34-30 loss to Cincinnati.
Over its last three games, Massachusetts is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Massachusetts was favored by 6 points in its previous game and the Over/Under was set at 55. The over cashed and Massachusetts covered in the 49-31 victory over Charlotte.
Massachusetts has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over its last two games.
Ohio has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last two.
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