Two MAC Conference teams are set to settle their differences on a special Halloween night edition of college football when the Miami Ohio Redhawks take on the Ohio Bobcats. The game is set to go off on Tuesday, October 31st at 8 p.m. EST and can be viewed on ESPN2 for your evening entertainment. As of this article, the Bobcats are a -9.5 point favorite and the contest’s total sits at 56.
The Miami Ohio Redhawks head into Peden Stadium on the heels of a 24-14 victory over the Buffalo Bulls nine days ago. The home win improved the Redhawks conference record to 2-2 and snapped a three-game skid. Now, Miami Ohio is 3-5 on the year and cannot afford to take a step back if they hope to challenge for a division crown.
The Ohio Bobcats turned on their jets in the second half against Kent State in their last outing. As a result, they routed the Golden Flashes 48-3. The home victory placed the Bobcats at 3-1 in the conference and 6-2 overall. The triumph marked the second straight game that the Bobcats put 48 points on the board.
Last season, these two schools met up in Miami and the Bobcats came away with a 17-7 win. Ohio will be going for their fifth straight win over the Redhawks. Furthermore, the Bobcats have taken nine out of the last 10 meetings.
Miami Ohio Redhawks (3-5)
There is little doubt that the Miami Ohio offense has sputtered since losing quarterback Gus Ragland a few games back. The team only recorded 349 yards of total offense but scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to get the job done. The Redhawks used a solid defensive effort and a steady dose of the running game to keep their hopes of a bowl berth alive.
Senior signal-caller Gus Ragland is listed as questionable for this game against Ohio. Apparently, the talented thrower injured his leg a few weeks ago and isn’t 100 percent. If they lose his services again, it would be a huge blow because they’ll need the production that he brings to the table. Overall, Ragland has completed 53 percent of his passes for almost 1,400 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Back-up Billy Bahl will get the start if Ragland can’t play. Last week, he was asked to manage the offense and not turn the ball over. Bahl did just that, connecting on 13 passes for 170 yards.
Running back Kenny Young took matters into his own hands in the victory over Buffalo. The effort was only the second time that the tailback ran for over 100 yards in a game. In that battle, Young scampered for 125 yards on 18 attempts and reached pay-dirt twice. In 2017, he has rushed for 566 yards and five touchdowns.
Three receivers do most of the work when the Redhawks try to move the football through the air. Together, the trio has caught 75 balls for just over 1,200 yards and 10 scores. Wideout James Gardner leads the squad with 32 catches for 681 yards and a team-high six touchdowns.
Defensively, Miami Ohio has performed pretty well this year. Yes, they did yield 52 points to the Fighting Irish on the road but who hasn’t. Coming into this game, the Redhawk defense ranks 35th in the country by allowing only 359 total yards a contest. They also sit 52nd in the nation, succumbing to 24 points a game. Miami Ohio has forced 12 turnovers on the season and has an overall turnover margin of zero.
Ohio Bobcats (6-2)
The Bobcats may have lost a few key pieces to their offense but you wouldn’t know it by the points they are churning out. Last week was not an exception, as their offense went off for 447 total yards in which 336 came via the ground. The Bobcats are now 17th in the nation, running the pigskin for 245 yards a game.
Quarterback Nathan Rourke may not have the most impressive passing figures but he is careful with the football and can also run it effectively. The sophomore under center has completed 55 percent of his throws for 1,223 yards with 10 touchdowns and three picks. The dual-threat athlete also has contributed almost 500 yards with his feet and another 13 trips to the end zone.
Two tailbacks pitch in with Nathan Rourke to add to the Bobcat’s effective ground attack. A.J. Ouellette and Dorian Brown are a great one-two punch. Ouellette has rumbled for a team-high 752 yards on 121 carries and six scores. Brown has added another 443 yards on 72 runs with four more touchdowns. Both will be looking to tee-off against the Redhawks’ 65th rated run defense.
The Bobcats don’t pride themselves on their ability to pass the ball around the field. In fact, they are 106th in the country. Instead, they use the play-action pass to strike when their opponents secondary moves into the box. Wide receivers Brendan cope and Andrew Myer are the recipients of those throws. Combined, the two have caught just under 50 balls for 659 yards and four touchdowns. Teammate Papi White is their big-play guy who averages 19 yards a catch.
On defense, Ohio is rather average. They hold opposing schools to 25 points a game and give up 365 total yards a contest. They are weakest against the pass, allowing 239 yards which is 87th in Division I ball. Like the Redhawks, the Bobcats have caused 13 turnovers but also have an overall margin of zero.
Prediction
Las Vegas has set this 9.5 line in favor of the Bobcats. I think it is because they have shown the ability to score at will and nobody is sure if Redhawks quarterback Gus Ragland will take the field. Make no mistake about it, if Ragland can’t go, Miami Ohio won’t have near the chance to keep up with the Bobcats.
Line setters also have this game’s total at 55.5. This too is risky because of the quarterback questions for Miami Ohio. Either way, I am making a prediction for this match-up so here it goes. This is a must-win for the Redhawks and no matter who is under center the defense has to play lights-out.
Miami Ohio will try to impose their will using their renewed ground game. That means a lot of four-yard runs which should eat up some clock. Also, the Bobcats use their run game as their main weapon so that could mean less big plays and more slow drives down the field. With that being said, I think that the under 55.5 is the best play for your buck. The two programs only put up 24 total points last time they faced-off and Gus Ragland was on the field for that affair.
As for the line, well I would wait it out until the jury is in on Gus Ragland. If he plays, buy it up to 10.5 in a must-win game and take the Redhawks to cover. If not, stay away from this completely. Enjoy the game and Happy Halloween to all my readers. #moneytreesgrow @EriktheHun
Trends
The Redhawks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 conference games.
The Redhawks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games.
The Under is 5-2 in the Redhawks last 7 games overall.
The Bobcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
The Bobcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
The Under is 7-3 in the Bobcats last 10 home games.
Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
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