Free College Football Picks Today: Miami (OH) RedHawks vs Ohio Bobcats 11/8/22

The Ohio University Bobcats (6-3, 4-1 MAC) are on the road to face the Miami University RedHawks (4-5, 2-3 MAC) at Fred C. Yager Stadium on Tuesday for a matchup that pits one of the Mid-American Conference’s top offenses against its toughest defense. Ohio is coming off a runaway 45-24 win over Buffalo at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium last Tuesday, their fourth straight victory.

Kurtis Rourke was 20 of 29 for 317 yards with five touchdowns and an interception. Jake Neatherton ran 13 times for 68 yards and a touchdown. Sam Wiglusz caught six passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Miami (OH) beat Akron 27-9 at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium last Saturday. Brett Gabbert threw for 184 yards and a touchdown. Keyon Mozee carried 13 times for 52 yards and a touchdown. Mac Hippenhammer had four receptions for 84 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Bobcats won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 35-33 victory in November. Kurtis Rourke threw three touchdowns for Ohio, as De’Montre Tuggle added three TDs (2 rush, 1 rec) and Isaiah Cox scored twice. Brett Gabbert tossed five touchdowns for Miami (OH), as Jack Sorenson found the end zone twice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Bobcats are averaging 33.4 points per game for the season, 35th in FBS, and they are facing a RedHawks defense that has surrendered 21.4 PPG (31st). Meanwhile, Miami (OH) has scored 19.4 points a game this season, 117th in the nation, and Ohio is allowing 33.2 PPG (116th).

The Bobcats rank as one of the nation’s top teams in passing yards per game (309.4, 12th), while they are 103rd in rushing yards (122.3). The RedHawks are 89th in passing yards allowed per game (240.2) and 15th against the run (107.8). Miami (OH) has been one of the country’s least successful passing teams, averaging 149.3 passing yards per game (122nd), while ranking 65th in rushing yards (150.1).

Ohio’s defense has been most vulnerable through the air, as the Bobcats are worst in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (324.2). Against the run, the Bobcats are 82nd (157.7).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through nine games, Kurtis Rourke has thrown for 21 touchdowns (4 INT) and 302.8 yards per game to lead Ohio in passing. In four away games this season, he has three TDs (3 INT) and an average of 224.8 yards passing.

Sieh Bangura leads the team in rushing with an average of 70.7 yards a game over seven games. He has seven touchdowns on the ground. Sam Wiglusz is the Bobcats’ leading receiver with 78.9 yards a game and nine TDs.

Aveon Smith has seven passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 105.0 yards per game through seven games to lead Miami (OH). In three home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (3 INT) and an average of 150.0 yards.

Keyon Mozee has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 47.6 yards a game through nine games. He has two touchdowns. Mac Hippenhammer has been a key target in the RedHawks’ aerial attack. He has four touchdowns and a 49.3 yard per game average through nine appearances.