If you’re a fan of defensive struggles and field-position battles, boy, do we have a game for you.
The Western Michigan Broncos will take on Miami (Ohio) in the MAC Championship at Ford Field on Saturday, and all signs point to a throwback.
These two teams are mirror images of one another, with two of the best defenses in the Group of 5 taking on two tepid offenses.
The oddsmakers have priced this one as a coin flip, with an Over/Under of 43.5 points.
Miami (Ohio) vs. Western Michigan: MAC Championship odds, prediction
Miami was left dead and buried a few weeks ago. The Redhawks had just lost two games in a row to Ohio and Toledo, and quarterback DeQuan Finn left the team to get ready for the NFL Draft.
That adversity seemed to light a spark under this team, as the Redhawks won their final two games, and the offense looked like it had a new lease on life with Thomas Gotkowski under center.
Gotkowski, a redshirt freshman, isn’t the most efficient passer, but he’s added elements of explosiveness and unpredictability to an offense that had grown stale.
If Miami’s offense continues to show that form on Saturday, it should have the edge over Western Michigan. The Broncos boast splendid numbers on defense, but they really struggle with the ball, ranking 108th in FBS in yards per play.
Western Michigan’s offensive philosophy — which is to run the ball and then run it some more — plays right into Miami’s hands. The Redhawks have allowed just 3.7 yards per carry (32nd) this season.
Betting on College Football?
Gotkowski’s arrival has raised the ceiling of Miami’s offense, and the Redhawks’ defense should have no issues slowing down the Broncos’ rush-heavy attack.
This one could end up 10-6, but I like Miami’s chances of coming out on top of this slugfest.
The Plays: Miami moneyline (+108) | Under 43.5 points (-110, FanDuel)
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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
