Rutgers, Miami Defenses Key To Prop Bets in Pinstripe Bowl
Most experts’ NCAA football score predictions for the Pinstripe Bowl between Rutgers and Miami on Thursday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY, are on the low side.
Both defenses have the ability to keep the points down and wet weather is expected for the contest with temperatures in the 50s. That makes prop bets a tough call, because bowl games tend to be more high scoring.
Linebacker Mohamed Toure (84 tackles, 3½ sacks) leads a Rutgers defense that allowed just 30 points in the first three games of the season. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt and running back Kyle Monangai are the key threats for the Scarlet Knights’ offense.
Third-string quarterback Jacurri Brown will take his first snaps for Miami. Tyler Van Dyke transferred to Wisconsin and Emory Williams was lost to injury to open the spot for Brown. Rueben Bain Jr. and Francisco Mauigoa each have 7½ sacks for the Hurricanes.
Rutgers is favored by 2½ points in the NCAA football betting lines.
This has all the makings of a tight game, where points are hard to come by.
That can create some good value if you nail the team that leads at halftime and the score range. We think it can be a profitable bet, but which of the juicy odds do you pick at the sportsbook?
The top value is Miami leads by between 4-6 points at halftime (+1100). But we think the Scarlet Knights will have a slight edge through two quarters. Bet Rutgers leads between 4-6 and you should get up to +1000 in the Las Vegas odds.
Bet Field Goal To Open Scoring
Field conditions might make you think twice about this bet but, assuming the field is not a quagmire, a 3-0 lead for either team has a good chance of happening.
Miami kicker Andres Borregales is 21-for-25 in field-goal attempts and has delivered at least one in 11 of 12 games. Jai Patel of Rutgers has not attempted as many (16), but missed twice this season.
You can get +225 in the NCAA football odds that a touchdown won’t be the first score. But a Miami field goal to open the scoring has much better value (+525).
Third Quarter Could Be Profitable
With both teams off for about a month and a third-string quarterback under center for Miami, it might take the offenses a little time to get going.
You get pretty good odds that everyone will be more comfortable and put some points on the board in the third quarter. You can get +450 on your money if you bet the most points will be scored in the 15 minutes after halftime, which appears to be a strong sports bet.
Miami Rushing Defense Key
Perhaps the most important factor in the game will be the battle of Rutgers’ rushing attack and Miami’s front.
The Scarlet Knights average 165.4 yards per game and the Hurricanes allowed just 97.1 – tops in the ACC. But Miami did give up 15 rushing TDs – middle of the ACC pack – so Monangai and Wimsatt may be good bets to score despite lower yardage numbers.
This could be a showcase for Monangai, much like his 159-yard effort against Ohio State was. Expect him to get into the end zone at least once.
Questions Of The Day
When is the Pinstripe Bowl?
It has always been played in late December and this year it is on the 28th.
Where is the Pinstripe Bowl played?
Yankee Stadium has been the site for all of the Pinstripe Bowls
