The RedHawks of Miami (OH) (-2) are gearing up to host their MAC rival Western Michigan Broncos at Fred C. Yager Stadium. ESPN+ owns the TV rights and the game’s scheduled to get going at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Western Michigan Broncos vs. Miami (OH) RedHawks
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Miami (OH) is getting picked as the favorite and is currently giving up 2 points. The Broncos are also receiving +110 moneyline odds while the RedHawks are -130. There will probably be some decent live betting opportunities in this match.
The line initially opened at -3, but has recently shifted.
The Broncos are 2-2 against the spread (ATS) and have recorded 0.0 units so far. The team’s recorded an O/U mark of 1-2.
The RedHawks have lost 2.4 units this season. The team is 1-3 ATS and has an even O/U record of 2-2.
The Broncos have gone 2-2 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any MAC competition yet. The RedHawks are 1-3 SU overall and 1-0 SU in conference play.
The Broncos are coming off a resounding 34-15 victory over Georgia State last week. The Broncos secondary allowed the Panthers to air it out for 285 yards. On the offensive side of the ball, Jon Wassink completed 20-of-25 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. LeVante Bellamy (121 rushing yards on 21 attempts) and Jamauri Bogan (126 yards on 15 carries, one TD) led the running attack while Jayden Reed (seven receptions, 101 yards, one TD) and Keishawn Watson (three catches, 43 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Miami (OH) enters this one after just earning a 38-23 win over Bowling Green. Gus Ragland completed 10-of-15 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Alonzo Smith (164 rushing yards on 19 attempts) and Davion Johnson (19 yards on 10 carries, one TD) mounted the running game while Jack Sorenson (six receptions, 72 yards, one TD) and Andrew Homer (two catches, 21 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the win.
Western Michigan’s run the ball on 54.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Miami (OH) has a rush percentage of 50.8 percent. The Broncos have produced 225.0 rush yards/game and have eight scores on the ground this year. The RedHawks are logging 131.5 rushing yards per game and have four total rush TDs.
The Broncos offense has averaged 246.0 yards through the air overall and has eight passing TDs so far. The RedHawks have recorded 180.8 pass yards per game and have five total pass scores.
Defensively, Western Michigan appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 203.8 yards and pass for 165.5 yards per game. The Miami (OH) defense has allowed 198.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 140.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The RedHawks are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.45 to opposing QBs, while the Broncos have given up a 7.32 ANY/A.
Offensively, Wassink has amassed 698 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has completed 58 percent of his 95 attempts with six passing scores and three interceptions. Wassink’s got a 6.91 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 11.27 over the past two outings.
The Broncos have tried to control the pace by getting the ball into the hands of their running backs. Backfield mates LeVante Bellamy (306 rush yards, two rush TDs, nine receiving yards) and Jamauri Bogan (207 rush yards, one rush TD) have been significant focal points in the offensive game scripts for Western Michigan.
Gus Ragland has managed to complete 57-of-102 passes for 615 yards, five TDs and one INT for Miami (OH). His ANY/A sits at 6.44 for the year and 5.59 over his past two games.
The RedHawks also prefer to leverage their backfield. Along with Jack Sorenson (177 receiving yards, two receiving TDs), Alonzo Smith (205 rush yards, one rush TD) and Maurice Thomas (88 rush yards, one rush TD) have gotten a lot of touches recently.
These two MAC foes did not get a chance to face each other in 2017.
Western Michigan Broncos at Miami (OH) RedHawks Free Pick
SU Winner: Western Michigan, ATS Winner: Western Michigan
Team Betting Trends
- The Miami (OH) defense has notched 10 sacks on the year while Western Michigan has nine.
- The Miami (OH) offense has lost two fumbles this season while Western Michigan has yet to lose any.
- The Broncos offense has recorded five pass plays of 40+ yards, while the RedHawks have put up one such play.
- The Western Michigan defense has allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards, while Miami (OH) has given up one such play.
- The Western Michigan offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Miami (OH) has created five such run.
- The Broncos defense has allowed eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the RedHawks have given up one such run.
- Miami (OH) was getting 7 points in its last match and the O/U was 55. The over cashed and Miami (OH) covered in the 38-23 victory over Bowling Green.
- Over its last three games, Miami (OH) is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Western Michigan was getting 10 points in its last game and the Over/Under was 61. The under cashed and Western Michigan covered in the 34-15 win over Georgia State.
- Western Michigan has produced 5.22222222222222 yards per carry over its last three games and 6.2 over its last two.
- Miami (OH) has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.6 over its past two.
