The Miami RedHawks (2-9, 1-6) travel to play the Massachusetts Minutemen (2-8, 1-5) this week in a contest between a pair of struggling MAC teams. The game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov 21 and will air on ESP3.
In last week’s matchup, Massachusetts defeated Eastern Michigan 28-17. Jamal Wilson had an outstanding performance on the ground in the win, rushing 16 times for 112 yards and two TDs. Tajae Sharpe added 67 receiving yards and a TD on four receptions. Miami (OH) didn’t have the same success as Massachusetts, losing to Akron 37-28. Rokeem Williams had a great game for the RedHawks, hauling in seven balls for 181 yards and one TD.
Massachusetts is a nine-point favorite against the RedHawks.
Heading into Week 12 of the college football season, the Minutemen are 2-8 Straight Up (SU) and 3-7 Against The Spread (ATS). In the past five games, Massachusetts is 1-4 for both SU and ATS. The Minutemen are averaging 168.2 rushing yards in the last five games, higher than their season average of 134.3. During their last five games, the Minutemen have also improved their pass coverage, giving up an average of 239.0 passing yards. There will be plenty of opportunities for the Minutemen to pick off Miami (OH)’s quarterback. The RedHawks currently throw the 124th-most picks per game in the nation with 1.7. The Minutemen could be able to pounce on Miami (OH)’s struggles during the second quarter, when they give up 10.6 points per game. On special teams, Massachusetts has some playmakers. They average 121.2 return yards per game, 10th in Division I.
Across the field, the RedHawks have a record of 6-5 ATS and 2-9 SU. The RedHawks went 1-4 SU and 3-2 ATS over the last five games. Over the last five games, the RedHawks turned it up on defense, only allowing an average of 216.0 passing yards per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – Massachusetts, ATS Winner – Massachusetts
Notes
Massachusetts is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games.
Massachusetts is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games.
Massachusetts is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Massachusetts’s last 5 games at home.
Each team is 2-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
Massachusetts is winless (0-7 SU) this season when allowing at least 3.0 sacks in a game. The Miami (OH) defense is averaging 3.0 sacks over its last five games.
Nationally, the Massachusetts passing attack is ranked 29th, while the Miami (OH) pass defense is only ranked 84th. The RedHawks passing game is ranked 76th, compared to the 103rd-ranked pass defense of the Minutemen.
