The Northwestern University Wildcats (1-2, 1-2 Home) and their explosive passing offense welcome the Miami University RedHawks (1-2, 0-1 Away), one of the country’s softest aerial defenses, at Ryan Field on Saturday. The Wildcats are seven-point favorites, and the total is 50. Miami (OH) is coming off a crushing 38-17 loss to Cincinnati at Paycor Stadium last Saturday. Aveon Smith threw for 116 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Kevin Davis ran seven times for 30 yards. Mac Hippenhammer caught four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Northwestern lost 31-24 to Southern Illinois at Ryan Field last Saturday. Ryan Hilinski was 27 of 43 for 213 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Evan Hull carried 25 times for 124 yards and a touchdown and added eight catches for 33 yards. Malik Washington also scored once. He had four receptions for 76 yards.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The RedHawks are averaging 20.3 points per game so far this season, 111th in FBS, and they are facing a Wildcats defense that has surrendered 30.0 PPG (95th). Meanwhile, Northwestern has scored 26.0 points a game this season, 91st in the nation, and Miami (OH) is allowing 29.7 PPG (93rd). The RedHawks rank as one of the country’s worst teams in passing yards per game (162.3, 114th), while they are 95th in rushing yards (131.3). They may find their best opportunities through the air, as the Wildcats are 119th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (285.3). Against the run, Northwestern is 72nd (142.3).Northwestern has been one of the nation’s top passing teams, averaging 320.7 passing yards per game (15th), while ranking 86th in rushing yards (152.3). Miami (OH)’s defense has been susceptible through the air, as the RedHawks are 110th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (274.3). Against the run, the RedHawks are 12th (75.7).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through three games, Smith has thrown for five touchdowns (2 INT) and 94.7 yards per game to lead Miami (OH) in passing. Davis leads the team in rushing with an average of 30.7 yards a game over three games. Hippenhammer is the RedHawks’ leading receiver with 66.3 yards a game and three TDs. Hilinski has five passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 320.7 yards per game through three games to lead Northwestern. In three home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (3 INT) and an average of 320.7 yards. Hull has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 102.7 yards a game through three games. He also is No. 1 on the team in total receiving yards for the season (100.3 yards a game). He has four total touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Northwestern (-275)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
