It’ll be an ACC-CUSA showdown as the Miami (FL) Hurricanes (-6.5) are favorites as they prepare to take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl. ESPN owns the TV rights and the game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech is a live dog and is currently getting 6.5 points in this game. The Bulldogs are also receiving +210 moneyline odds while the Hurricanes are -270. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points. If Miami (FL) gives up points early, it’ll likely generate a worthwhile in-game betting opportunity.
Sharp bettors are siding with both the Bulldogs and the over. The line originally opened at 7.5 while the total was initially only 49.
The Bulldogs are 6-5-1 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 3.4 units so far. The team has posted an Over-Under record of 6-6.
The disappointing Hurricanes have lost 24.1 units this season. The team is 6-6 ATS and also has an even O/U record of 6-6.
The Bulldogs are 9-3 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Hurricanes are 6-6 SU.
The Bulldogs are coming off a resounding 41-27 win over UTSA on November 30Their defense allowed the Roadrunners to rush for 128 yards on 31 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Sincere McCormick had a productive day for the Roadrunners in that one with 119 rushing yards on 17 attempts. On the offensive side of the ball, J’mar Smith completed 25 passes on 35 attempts for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Henderson (105 yards on 20 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Smith (four yards on 15 carries, one TD) led the running attack. Smoke Harris (five receptions, 21 yards) and Henderson (four catches, 39 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Back on November 30, Duke took care of this Miami (FL) crew by a score of 27-17. The Hurricanes defense let the Blue Devils kill the clock by rushing for 131 yards on 48 attempts, including two rush TDs. Jalon Calhoun had a solid showing, recording 82 yards on three catches for Duke. As a group, the Hurricanes collectively completed 13-of-35 passes for 161 yards and one touchdown. Jarren Williams went 11-for-26 for 142 yards and one touchdown while N’Kosi Perry was two-of-nine for 19 yards. Robert Burns (48 yards on 18 rush attempts) led the running game as Will Mallory (four receptions, 93 yards) and K.J. Osborn (three catches, 22 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Each of these teams has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Louisiana Tech’s run the ball on 50.3 percent of its offensive possessions while Miami (FL) has an overall rush percentage of 48.5. Having said that, the Bulldogs have run for 167.9 yards/game and have 26 scores on the ground this year. The Hurricanes haven’t been quite as productive. They’re averaging 121.8 rushing yards per game and have 16 total rush TDs.
The Bulldogs offensive scheme has logged 277.3 yards per game in the air overall and has 20 passing TDs so far. The Hurricanes have produced 257.2 pass yards per game and have 27 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Louisiana Tech has allowed 142.5 rush yards and 247.8 pass yards per game. The Miami (FL) defense has allowed 197.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 109.7 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Bulldogs have given up an ANY/A of 5.52 to opposing QBs, while the Hurricanes are allowing an ANY/A of 5.08.
Williams has connected on 141-of-220 passes for 1,844 yards, 17 TDs and three INTs. Williams’ adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 7.39 for the season and 3.75 over his past two games. In the other huddle, Smith has amassed 2,814 passing yards this season, and has completed 223-of-339 attempts with 17 passing touchdowns and only four interceptions. Smith has a pristine 7.90 ANY/A, including 9.40 over the last two outings.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes Bedding Prediction
SU Winner: Miami (FL), ATS Winner: Miami (FL), O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Miami (FL) defense has registered more than twice as many sacks as Louisiana Tech this year (43 versus 20).
- Miami (FL) has lost six fumbles this season while the Louisiana Tech offense has lost nine.
- The Bulldogs offense has registered 11 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Hurricanes have accounted for eight such plays.
- Both teams have allowed nine pass plays of 40 yards or more and 15 pass plays of 30+ yards.
- Both teams have produced 16 rushing plays of 20 yards or more. The Louisiana Tech offense has recorded 59 running plays of 10+ yards while Miami (FL) has accounted for 56 such plays.
- The Bulldogs defense has allowed 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Hurricanes have given up 13 such runs.
- Louisiana Tech has averaged 3.3 yards per carry across its past three games and 3.8 over its last two.
- Miami (FL) has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.6 over its last two.
