Two teams that prefer to mix in a lot of running plays, Head Coach Chuck Martin and the Miami (OH) RedHawks (+6) are gearing up to face off against their in-conference rival Northern Illinois Huskies (-6) at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ESPNU.
Miami (OH) RedHawks at Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview
In this mid-week Mid-American matchup, Northern Illinois is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 6 points. The RedHawks are also receiving +190 moneyline odds while the Huskies are -240. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 47 points. Multiple good live betting opportunities could be unveiled during this match.
Early action has been swaying to the RedHawks, as the opening line was -7. The game’s over/under hasn’t moved after it was initially posted at 47.
The RedHawks are 6-4 against the spread (ATS) and are down 0.9 units so far. The team has posted an Over-Under mark of 6-4. The Huskies have been a pleasant surprise for moneyline bettors this season, gaining 5.8 units. They’re 6-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-8.
The RedHawks are just 4-6 straight up (SU), including 4-2 SU against conference opponents. The Huskies are 7-3 SU overall and 6-0 SU in conference play.
The RedHawks just notched a 30-28 win over Ohio last week where Gus Ragland completed 20-of-32 passes for 199 yards, along with one score and a pick. Alonzo Smith (94 yards on 20 rush attempts, two TDs) led the running attack while Young (seven receptions, 67 yards) and Jack Sorenson (four catches, 36 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Northern Illinois just earned a 38-15 win over Toledo. Marcus Childers completed 13-of-19 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tre Harbison (139 yards on 21 rush attempts) and Marcus Jones (103 yards on 12 carries, one TD) spearheaded the running game as Spencer Tears (four receptions, 18 yards) and Jauan Wesley (two catches, 34 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Miami (OH) has run the ball on 51.0 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 58.7 percent across possessions in conference play. Northern Illinois has a rush percentage of 60.6 percent, and has run the ball 65.0 percent of the time when playing MAC opponents. The RedHawks have run for 146 yards per game (including 191 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 20 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Huskies are totaling 180 rushing yards per game (248 in conference) and have 14 total rush TDs.
The RedHawks offensive scheme has averaged 228 yards in the air overall (225 per game versus conference opposition) and has 16 passing TDs so far. The Huskies have recorded 138 pass yards per contest (138.7 against MAC foes) and have 10 total pass scores.
Miami (OH) should have an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 156 yards and pass for 211 yards per game. The Northern Illinois defense has allowed 245.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 110.1 yards per game on the ground. The Huskies are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.39 to opposing QBs, while the RedHawks have given up a 6.70 ANY/A.
Offensively, Ragland is up to 1,968 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 180-of-296 attempts with 15 passing scores and only four interceptions. Ragland’s got a 6.67 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.25 over the last two outings.
Marcus Childers has completed 141-of-254 passes for 1,195 yards, nine TDs and six INTs for Northern Illinois. His ANY/A stands at a horrendous 3.35 for the year and 5.19 across his last two games.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to face each other last year.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Pick: Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Northern Illinois Huskies
SU Winner – Miami (OH), ATS Winner – Miami (OH), O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
Both teams have lost five fumbles this season.
The Northern Illinois defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 37 times this season. Miami (OH) has registered just 24 sacks.
Miami (OH) has averaged 3.6 yards per carry across its past three games and 3.9 over its last two.
Northern Illinois has averaged 4.8 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.6 over its past two.
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