In a battle featuring two schools that like to run the football, Head Coach Lance Leipold and the Buffalo Bulls (+2) are gearing up to take on their conference rival Toledo Rockets (-2) at Glass Bowl. Interested parties can catch the action live on ESPN+ and the crucial daytime matchup is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Toledo Rockets Betting Preview
Buffalo is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 2 points in this MAC game. The Bulls are also receiving +110 moneyline odds while the Rockets are -130. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 67 points, and if one side catches a lucky break early, it will probably result in a worthwhile live betting opportunity.
Odds have shifted from where they were originally posted. The line opened at -3, while the game’s total has not moved after it was set initially at 67.
The surprising Bulls have gained 2.6 units so far and are 5-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s recorded an O/U mark of 5-1. The Rockets are down 2.4 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-4 ATS and own an O/U record of 4-1.
The Bulls have gone 6-1 straight up (SU), including 3-0 SU against MAC opponents. The Rockets are 3-3 SU overall and 1-1 SU in conference play.
The Bulls are coming off a resounding 24-6 win over Akron last week. Tyree Jackson completed just 16 passes on 30 attempts for 212 yards, as well as one score and a pick. Jaret Patterson (91 yards on 17 rush attempts, one TD) and Kevin Marks (64 yards on 15 carries) provided the ground attack while K.J. Osborn (six receptions, 116 yards) and Anthony Johnson (two catches, 44 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
A week ago, Eastern Michigan got the victory against this Toledo team by a score of 28-26. Mitchell Guadagni completed 12-of-27 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Guadagni (137 rushing yards on 27 attempts, one TD) and Shakif Seymour (61 yards on 13 carries, one TD) handled the running game as Diontae Johnson (four receptions, 44 yards) and Cody Thompson (three catches, 37 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Buffalo has run the ball on 58.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Toledo has a rush percentage of 60.3 percent. The Bulls have run for 182 yards/game (including 227 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Rockets are logging 202 rush yards per game (259 in conference) and have 14 total rushing TDs.
If 2018 numbers are any indication, then it’s looking like the Bulls could hold an advantage along both the offensive and defensive fronts, as their offensive line has given up just 17 sacks while their D-line logged 18 sacks. The Rockets offensive line has given up 22 sacks and their defense has logged only 22 sacks.
The Bulls offensive scheme has averaged 222 yards in the air overall (221 per game against conference opposition) and has 18 passing TDs so far. The Rockets have recorded 235 pass yards per contest (165.5 against MAC foes) and have 17 total pass scores.
Buffalo seems to have an advantage in both areas of the defense. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 163 yards and pass for 173 yards per game. The Toledo defense has given up 259.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 204.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bulls are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.00 to opposing QBs, while the Rockets have given up a 7.03 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Jackson has amassed 1,416 yards this year. He’s completed 104-of-180 attempts with 17 passing scores and only four interceptions. He has an 8.76 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 5.38 over the past two outings.
For the home team, Eli Peters has completed 35-of-71 passes for 436 yards, five TDs and one INT. Peters’ ANY/A stands at 6.07 for the season and 6.97 across his past two outings.
These two MAC foes did not get a chance to play one another last season.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Prediction: Buffalo Bulls vs. Toledo Rockets
SU Winner – Buffalo, ATS Winner – Buffalo, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
Buffalo has rushed for 5.0 yards per attempt over its past three games and 5.5 over its last two.
Toledo has averaged 4.8 yards per carry over its last three outings and 5.4 over its last two.
Each team has lost one fumble this year.
The Bulls offense has produced nine pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Rockets have accounted for four such plays.
The Buffalo defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Toledo has given up seven such plays.
The Buffalo offense has created eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Toledo has created nine such runs.
The Bulls defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Rockets have given up 13 such runs.
The Buffalo defense has more than twice as many sacks as Toledo this year (17 versus eight).
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