Miami-OH at Toledo Prediction
The Miami (OH) RedHawks and the Toledo Rockets will leave Ohio for Detroit and collide in the MAC Championship this weekend on ESPN. Miami leads the all-time series, 28-23-1, but Toledo has won four of the last five meetings, including this year’s contest in Oxford by four, 21-17. Here's our Miami OH vs Ohio prediction.
Miami (OH) Redhawks Preview
Miami comes in at 10-2 after defeating Ball State in Muncie, 17-15. The RedHawks held off the Cardinals down the stretch to advance to the conference championship, and they’ll look to complete the mission this Saturday. The Miami offense is scoring 27.3 ppg, while passing for 180.3 ypg, rushing for 152.8 ypg, and converting 37.3% of their third downs.
Miami Player Notes
• Aveon Smith managed to quarterback the RedHawks to a victory last weekend, but he only went 14/24 for 170 yards, with a touchdown and two picks. The Lexington native was thrusted into the lineup after starting QB Brett Gabbert picked up an injury in the loss to Toledo, and he hasn’t been able to get much going through four starts. Smith has passed for 529 yards, with two touchdowns to two interceptions through five games.
• Sophomore back Rashad Amos has scored in five straight games, and he leads the team in rushing with 821 yards on 162 carries.
• Junior wideout Gage Larvadain scored twice in the win over WMU, and he leads Miami in receptions (36) and receiving yards (625).
• The Miami defense has allowed 16.3 points per game
Toledo Rockets Preview
Toledo enters at 11-1 after defeating Central Michigan on the road, 32-17. The Rockets closed with a big fourth quarter, and they’ll look to defeat Miami for the second time this season. The Toledo offense is scoring 35.2 ppg, while passing for 219.1 ypg, rushing for 211.4 ypg, and converting 46.7% of their third downs.
Toledo Player Notes
• DeQuan Finn had another strong showing versus BGSU last week, passing for 279 yards, with three total touchdowns. The junior QB has led Toledo to one of the best season’s in school history, and he’ll look to close the regular season strong here. Finn has thrown for 2,284 yards, with 20 touchdowns to eight interceptions, and he’s rushed for 506 yards and six scores on the ground.
• Junior back Peny Boone has reached the 100-yard mark in seven of the last nine games, and he leads the Rockets in rushing with 1,173 yards on 162 touches and 13 touchdowns.
• Third-year receiver Jerjuan Newton has caught six passes in consecutive games, and he leads Toledo in receptions (42) and receiving yards (556).
• The Toledo defense is allowing 20.4 points per game.
Toledo vs Miami (OH) Trends
• Toledo is 9-3 against the spread, with a 5-7 O/U record.
• Miami is 6-6 ATS, with a 7-5 over/under record.
Here's our Miami OH vs Ohio Prediction
Miami has shown a lot of fight this season after being humbled by the Hurricanes in Week 1, including a six-game week streak that included a Victory Bell road win over Cincinnati, but they might have a really tough time here without Brent Gabbert. Toledo’s been very sharp themselves this year, and if not for a last second field goal by Illinois, they’d be unblemished. Revenge will be on the RedHawks minds, but the Rockets coming out and closing the regular season strong feels much more likely here. Back Toledo to win their twelve straight game and lift the MAC Championship trophy this weekend.
