In a battle of two schools that like running the football, RedHawks of Miami (OH) (-11) are gearing up to welcome the Kent State Golden Flashes to Fred C. Yager Stadium. This conference showdown starts at 2:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ESPN+. When the two squads faced each other a year ago, Kent State won by a field goal 17-14.
Betting Preview: Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Miami (OH) is projected as the big favorite and is currently giving up 11 points. The Golden Flashes are also receiving +325 moneyline odds while the RedHawks are -450. If one team finds paydirt early, it will likely result in a worthy in-game betting opportunity.
The opening line was originally set at -13 but the early action has slanted toward the Golden Flashes.
The Golden Flashes are 4-2 against the spread (ATS) and are down 2.0 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U record of 3-3.
The RedHawks have lost 1.6 units this season. The team is 3-3 ATS and owns an O/U record of 4-2.
The Golden Flashes have gone 1-5 straight up (SU), including 0-2 SU against conference opponents. The RedHawks are 2-4 SU overall and 2-1 SU in conference play.
The Golden Flashes are most-recently on the rebound after a thin 27-26 defeat to Ohio last week. Woody Barrett completed 27 passes on 35 attempts for 271 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Justin Rankin (123 yards on 16 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Barrett (61 yards on 12 carries) led the ground attack. Isaiah McKoy (eight receptions, 118 yards, one TD) and Antwan Dixon (six catches, 36 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Miami (OH) just earned a lopsided 41-17 win over Akron. The defensive unit did its job in the victory, holding the Zips to just 203 passing yards and 56 rushing yards. Andre Williams had a good showing in the defeat, posting 66 yards on seven catches for Akron. For Miami (OH), Gus Ragland completed 24-of-33 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Alonzo Smith (50 rushing yards on 13 attempts, one TD) spearheaded the running game as Dominique Robinson (five receptions, 77 yards) and Kenny Young (five catches, 18 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the win.
Each team has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Kent State’s run the ball on 51.9 percent of its offensive possessions while Miami (OH) has an overall rush percentage of 50.5. The Golden Flashes have produced 179.2 rush yards/game (including 174.0 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 10 scores on the ground this year. The RedHawks are putting up 131.5 rushing yards per game (184.0 in conference) and have nine total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then it seems like the RedHawks ought to hold an edge in the trenches. Their offensive line has yielded only four sacks while their D-line has registered 14 sacks. The Golden Flashes offensive line has given up 24 sacks and their defense has got to opposing signal-callerss just 14 times.
The Golden Flashes offensive scheme has averaged 238.8 yards through the air overall (292.5 per game against conference opposition) and has eight passing TDs so far. The RedHawks have recorded 205.2 pass yards per contest (209 in the MAC) and have nine total pass scores.
Kent State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 190.0 yards and pass for 318.8 yards per game. The Miami (OH) D has allowed 239.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 123.5 yards per game on the ground. The RedHawks are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 6.81 to opponents, while the Golden Flashes have allowed a staggering 8.87 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Barrett is up to 1,097 yards this year. He’s connected on 112-of-183 attempts with six passing scores and six interceptions. He’s got a 4.13 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.45 over the last two outings.
Justin Rankin (386 rushing yards, one rush TD, 84 receiving yards this season), Isaiah McKoy (243 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Trey Harrell (132 receiving yards) have each played key roles of late.
For the home team, Gus Ragland has managed to complete 92-of-155 passes for 937 yards, six TDs and three INTs. Ragland’s ANY/A sits at 5.70 for the season and 8.14 over his past two games.
Jack Sorenson (221 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns on the year), Dominique Robinson (77 receiving yards) and Alonzo Smith (270 rush yards, two rush TDs, 69 receiving yards) have combined for 413 total yards and three touchdowns over the last couple of games.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Miami (OH) RedHawks NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Miami (OH), ATS Winner: Miami (OH)
Betting Notes
- The Miami (OH) offense has lost three fumbles this season while Kent State has lost seven.
- Each team defense has recorded 14 sacks this season.
- As a team, Kent State has averaged 4.20338983050847 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.5 over its last two.
- Miami (OH) has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.0 over its past two.
- Over its last three matches, Miami (OH) is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- Kent State was getting 12 points in its previous game and the Over/Under going into it was 70. The under cashed and Kent State covered in the 27-26 defeat to Ohio.
- Over its last three matches, Kent State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Miami (OH) was favored by 5 points in its last outing and the Over/Under was set at 47. The over cashed and Miami (OH) covered in that 41-17 victory over Akron.
