On Saturday, December 28th, we’ll see the Miami (OH) RedHawks take on the Colorado State Rams in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. This is one of eight games on the schedule for the day, and this really should be a fun one. With that in mind, keep reading for odds, analysis and predictions for this showdown. But make sure you also check out our College Football Bowl Games Hub for all of our VSiN college football betting content.
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl: Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Colorado State Rams
How To Watch Miami (OH) vs. Colorado State
Where: Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona
When: 4:30 pm ET on Saturday, December 28th
Channel: The CW Network
Miami (OH) vs. Colorado State Odds
Moneyline: Miami Ohio -135, Colorado State +114
Spread: Miami Ohio -3 (-105), Colorado State +3 (-115)
Total: Over 40.5 (-110), Under 40.5 (-110)
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publish. They can change. And shop around for the best prices!
Miami (OH) vs. Colorado State Prediction
The “Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl”? On The CW Network? Yeah, that’s right — the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, on the CW Network. This real life version of a Mad Libs could actually deliver a good game in the desert. The RedHawks were one of the better teams in the MAC this season, and the Rams have one of the most talented Group of Five rosters in college football. So, as far as smaller bowl games go, this one should be pretty fun.
However, opt-outs and transfers aren’t fun, and there are plenty here. Miami lost two starters to Texas Tech, with Will Jados and Reggie Virgil heading to the Red Raiders. The RedHawks will also be without Javon Tracy, who is going to Minnesota, and cornerback Raion Strader, their best defensive player, is going to Auburn. It’s also unclear if Cade McDonald or Reid Holskey will play, as both are opt-out options. On top of that, Dylan Downing is banged up, and Mychal Yharbrough is out for the year. The latter is concerning, as it’s another corner. Will Miami be able to hold up in the secondary?
For Colorado State, starters Buom Jock, Mukendi Wa-Kalonji and Nuer Gatkouth are all transferring and will miss this game on the defensive side of the ball. The team will also be without wideout Caleb Goodie, who is off to Cincinnati. That hurts because star wide receiver Tory Horton is out for the season. And starting guard Drew Moss might not play here.
The absences are pretty brutal on both sides here, but I feel better about the way Colorado State will head to the field. I know the Rams are going to be missing some key wideouts, but Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is a highly talented quarterback. He should be able to make good decisions against this RedHawks secondary. Miami was actually solid against the pass this season, finishing 45th in the nation in Dropback EPA per play allowed (-0.024). But Strader was a huge part of that. And he’s not the only starting defensive back missing. So, Fowler-Nicolosi really should be able to make some plays with his arm, and he’s always a threat to do it with his legs.
Of course, Colorado State has to find a way to avoid getting torched when Miami has the ball. That’s not a given considering the Rams were just 107th in the nation in Dropback EPA per play allowed (0.057) this year. But the RedHawks were just 68th in Dropback EPA per play (-0.004) this season, so it’s not like it’s a guarantee that Brett Gabbert will be able to take advantage of the matchup.
The RedHawks are also just 1-3 both straight-up and against the spread versus non-conference opponents this year, so it’s hard to trust them outside of #MACtion. The team is also just 1-4 SU in bowl games under Chuck Martin, but Jay Norvell is 2-1 in December bowl games in his career. And overall, I think Norvell is the more dangerous coach with all the extra preparation time. He’s a good offensive coach, so he likely will have his unproven group of wideouts ready to go.
Also, you could look to go Over in this game. The total is absurdly low right now, and these offenses do have the ability to put up points. I’m just most confident in Colorado State, as I don’t think Miami will be able to come up with as many key plays offensively.
Pick: Colorado State +3 (-112)
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