The FIU Golden Panthers are coming into the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl as underdogs as they prepare to take on the Toledo Rockets. This daytime game is scheduled to get going at 12:30 p.m. ET and ESPN has the TV rights.
FIU Golden Panthers at Toledo Rockets Betting Preview
FIU is a live dog and is currently getting 6 points in this game. The Golden Panthers are also receiving +185 moneyline odds while the Rockets are -230. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 68.5 points, and should one school can catch a lucky break in the early stages, it will likely create a nice betting scenario in-game.
Sharp bettors are siding with both the Golden Panthers and the over. The line initially opened at -7 and the over/under was originally only 66.5.
The Golden Panthers are 9-3 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.8 units so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 7-5. The Rockets have lost 1.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-6 ATS and own an O/U record of 7-4.
The Golden Panthers are 8-4 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Rockets are 7-5 SU.
The Golden Panthers lost to Marshall 28-25 in a game where the passing attack could’ve been more effective as the Golden Panthers completed 25-of-38 passes for 201 yards and two interceptions. James Morgan went 21-for-33 for 177 yards and two interceptions while Christian Alexander completed four-of-five for 24 yards. Anthony Jones (only 32 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one TD) and Napoleon Maxwell (96 yards on nine carries, one TD) provided the running attack in the loss while Maurice Alexander (five receptions, 28 yards) and CJ Worton (five catches, 62 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Toledo just picked up a 51-13 win over Central Michigan. The team’s defense held its ground in the victory, keeping the Chippewas to just 133 passing yards and 48 rushing yards. Devon Spalding was a bright spot in the loss for Central Michigan, recording 48 yards on six catches. For Toledo, Eli Peters completed 14-of-30 passes for 180 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Bryant Koback (124 yards on 22 rush attempts, two TDs) and Art Thompkins (51 yards on 10 carries, one TD) handled the ground game in the win while Desmond Phillips (seven receptions, 52 yards) and Jon’Vea Johnson (three catches, 87 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack.
FIU’s run the ball on 55.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Toledo has a rush percentage of 58.6 percent. The Golden Panthers have produced 172 rush yards per game and have 23 scores via handoffs this year. The Rockets are averaging 224 rush yards per game and have 29 total rushing TDs.
If 2018 numbers are any indication, then the Rockets should have the advantage when it comes to RB effectiveness, as their backfield has generated 5.3 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 4.7 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Golden Panthers have rushed for 4.7 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 5.0 to opponents.
The Golden Panthers offensive scheme has averaged 251 yards through the air overall and has 26 passing scores so far. The Rockets have put up 225 pass yards per outing and have 29 total pass TDs.
Defensively, FIU should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 198 yards and pass for 188 yards per game. The Toledo defense has allowed 259.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 176.0 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Panthers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.77 to opposing QBs, while the Rockets have given up a 5.80 ANY/A.
Offensively, Morgan is up to 2,496 passing yards this year, and has connected on 64 percent of his 295 attempts with 24 passing scores and only seven interceptions. Morgan has an 8.48 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 5.83 over the past two games.
The Golden Panthers will probably try to maintain the clock by feeding their running backs early and often. Along with Austin Maloney (475 yards, five TDs), Napoleon Maxwell (571 rush yards, five rush TDs) and Anthony Jones (174 rush yards, three rush TDs) have delivered in the offensive game scripts for FIU.
In the home locker room, Eli Peters has managed to complete 113-of-213 passes for 1,442 yards, 13 TDs and seven INTs. Peters’ ANY/A stands at 5.95 for the year and 7.41 over his last two outings.
The Rockets will also try to dictate the game’s pace by turning to their backfield. Jon’Vea Johnson (556 receiving yards, six TDs) has contributed lately, but Bryant Koback (683 rush yards, 11 rush TDs) and Art Thompkins (441 rush yards, four rush TDs) have seen a multitude of looks lately.
NCAA Pick: FIU Golden Panthers vs. Toledo Rockets
SU Winner – FIU, ATS Winner – FIU, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
As a team, FIU has produced 5.3 yards per carry over its last three games and 6.4 over its last two.
Toledo has averaged 6.0 yards per carry over its last three outings and 6.9 over its past two.
Toledo has lost six fumbles this season while FIU has lost four.
Toledo has won five of its last six games SU, with a -23-point defeat to Northern Illinois on November 7th representing its one loss over that span.
The Golden Panthers offense has registered 11 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Rockets have put up nine such plays.
The FIU defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Toledo has given up 11 such plays.
The FIU offense has created 17 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Toledo has created 23 such runs.
The Golden Panthers defense has allowed 19 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Rockets have given up 22 such runs.
The Toledo defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 34 times this year. FIU has produced just 20 sacks.
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