A couple of schools that like running the football, Coach Lance Leipold and the Buffalo Bulls (+2) will be facing off against the Ohio Bobcats (-2) at Peden Stadium. Kickoff for this crucial conference game is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and ESPN2 is scheduled to televise the action. When the two squads met last year, Buffalo knocked off Ohio by a touchdown 31-24.
Betting Preview: Buffalo Bulls vs. Ohio Bobcats
In this mid-week Mid-American game, Ohio has been tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 2 points. The Bulls are also receiving +100 moneyline odds while the Bobcats are -120. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 65.5 points, and if one team can get out in front early, it would probably create a nice live betting opportunity.
The over has gotten most of the recent sharp action. This game’s over/under originally opened at just 63.5.
The profitable Bulls are 8-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 6.0 units so far in 2018. The team has posted an O/U record of 7-2.
The Bobcats have gained 0.0 units this season. The team is 6-4 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-4.
The Bulls are 9-1 straight up (SU), including 6-0 SU against MAC opponents. The Bobcats are 6-4 SU overall and 4-2 SU in conference play.
The Bulls want to keep things rolling after a 48-14 victory over Kent State last week. the Bulls completed 9-of-21 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown. Tyree Jackson went seven-for-16 for 111 yards and one touchdown while Kyle Vantrease completed two-of-five for nine yards. Jaret Patterson (187 rushing yards on 18 attempts, two TDs) and Kevin Marks (37 yards on 10 carries, one TD) spearheaded the running attack while Anthony Johnson (three receptions, 26 yards, one TD) and Charlie Jones (two catches, 43 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Ohio narrowly dropped a 30-28 game to Miami (OH). The defensive unit allowed the RedHawks to eat up the clock by running for 158 yards on 35 rush attempts, including three rush TDs. Kenny Young had a good outing for Miami (OH), recording 37 rushing yards and a score on seven attempts, along with 67 yards on seven catches. For Ohio, Nathan Rourke completed 16-of-27 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. A.J. Ouellette (168 rushing yards on 15 attempts) and the signal-caller Rourke (16 yards on 13 carries) handled the running attack as Papi White (five receptions, 44 yards, one TD) and Cameron Odom (four catches, 31 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Buffalo has run the ball on 58.4 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 61.2 percent across possessions in conference play. Ohio has a run percentage of 62.4 percent, and has rushed the ball 66.7 percent of the time when facing MAC opponents. The Bulls have produced 191.5 rush yards/game (including 220.7 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 26 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bobcats are logging 232.5 rush yards per game (239.3 in conference) and have 28 total rushing TDs.
The Bulls offense has averaged 235.8 yards in the air overall (244.7 per game against conference opposition) and has 24 passing TDs so far. The Bobcats have recorded 220.8 pass yards per game (206 against MAC competition) and have 21 total pass scores.
Defensively, Buffalo seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 153.9 rush yards and 174.3 pass yards per game. The Ohio D has allowed 269.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 145.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bulls are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.26 to opponents, while the Bobcats have allowed a 7.03 ANY/A.
Rourke has connected on 120-of-198 passes for 1,783 yards, 16 TDs and five INTs. Rourke’s adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 8.23 for the season and 8.89 over his last two outings. In the other huddle, Jackson has amassed 1,980 passing yards this season, and has completed 146-of-262 attempts with 21 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions. Jackson’s got a 7.52 ANY/A for the year, though that number is 10.38 over the past two outings.
Buffalo Bulls at Ohio Bobcats NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Ohio, ATS Winner: Ohio, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The Buffalo defense has 27 sacks on the year while Ohio has just 20.
- Ohio has lost 10 fumbles in 2018 while the Buffalo offense has lost two.
- The Bulls offense has produced 12 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Bobcats have put up six such plays.
- The Buffalo defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Ohio has given up 10 such plays.
- The Buffalo offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Ohio has created 21 such runs.
- The Bulls defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Bobcats have given up 11 such runs.
- The O/U for Ohio’s previous match going into it was 59. The under cashed in the 30-28 defeat to Miami (OH).
- Over its last three matches, Ohio is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three games, Buffalo is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Buffalo’s previous game was set at 47.5. The over cashed in the team’s 48-14 win over Kent State.
- Buffalo, as a team, has produced 4.4 yards per carry across its past three games and 5.3 over its last two.
- Ohio has averaged 6.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 6.3 over its past two.
