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Cure Bowl: Ohio vs. Jacksonville State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Ohio vs. Jacksonville State odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Ohio Bobcats (10-3) and Jacksonville State Gamecocks (9-4) meet Friday in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Ohio vs. Jacksonville State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Last season’s Cure Bowl between Appalachian State and Miami (Ohio) was played in a deluge in Orlando, with 13 combined fumbles in a 13-9 win by the Mountaineers. The weather forecast is very pleasant for this year’s installment, with temperatures in the mid-50’s and an 8-10 MPH, chilly for Orlando, actually.

Ohio steams into Orlando after a 38-3 rout of the Miami RedHawks in the MAC Championship Game, winning and covering for a sixth straight game. The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 outings for the Bobcats.

While coach Tim Albin left the Ohio program for the Charlotte 49ers job, surprisingly, the Bobcats have had no players in the transfer portal as of Thursday.

For Jacksonville State, it not only lost coach Rich Rodriguez to West Virginia, but 2 stud defensive players have pulled up stakes, too. S Zechariah Poyser has signed with the Miami Hurricanes, while LB Reginald Hughes, a top EDGE player, is bound for the Colorado Buffaloes. Several other defensive starters have hit the portal, too, leaving their status in question.

Jax State pounded the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 52-12 in the Conference USA title game. This is a team which can run the ball well, as can Ohio. Both teams are very good, and feature a pair of 1,000-yard rushers each. However, the Bobcats have a lockdown rush defense, which the Gamecocks struggle in that area. That will be the difference.

Rankings – US LBM Coaches Poll: Conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Ohio vs. Jacksonville State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:33 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Ohio -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Jacksonville State +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
Against the spread: Ohio -4.5 (-115) | Jacksonville State +4.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Ohio vs. Jacksonville State picks and predictions

Prediction

Ohio 32, Jacksonville State 18

Moneyline

Ohio (-200) will cost you twice as much as your potential return, and that is way too much for a singular wager. However, if you were to include the Bobcats into a multi-leg parlay, either as part of a bowl parlay, or multi-sport ticket, including Ohio isn’t terribly expensive or risky.

PASS, as a standalone wager.

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Against the spread

BACK OHIO -4.5 (-110) laying the points in Orlando.

The Bobcats enter on a roll, winning and covering 6 in a row. And, while Ohio loses its coach to the Charlotte job, the kids have stayed together and not hit the portal en masse.

Jacksonville State +4.5 (-110) had some issues stopping the run, but generally it had a strong defense. However, with Hughes and Poyser moving on to power programs, that’s a huge loss for the Gamecocks in this bowl game.

Over/Under

UNDER 56.5 (-110) is the lean in this matinee battle in O-Town.

Ohio has cashed low in 4 of the past 5 games, allowing 10 or fewer points in each of those Under results. The Bobcats rush defense has had it on lockdown, allowing just 95.5 yards per game, ranking among the best in the nation. The Ohio D has allowed 296.3 total yards asnd 17.5 points per game, too.

Jax State has a top-notch offense, especially in the run game, and it’s rush defense is a question mark. Losing Hughes and Poyser hurts, too, but we should still see more defense than offense.

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MAC Championship Game: Ohio vs. Miami (Ohio) odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Ohio vs. Miami odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Ohio Bobcats (9-3, 7-1 MAC) and Miami RedHawks (8-4, 7-1) meet Saturday in the MAC Championship Game. Kickoff from Ford Field in Detroit is scheduled for noon ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Ohio vs. Miami odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Ohio is making its sixth appearance in the conference title game, while Miami will play in its seventh.

Ohio has always been the bridesmaid, but never the bride, losing all 5 of its appearances — the first in 2006, the last in 2022. While the Bobcats suffered a 31-10 setback to Central Michigan in ’06, they haven’t lost by more than 10 points in any of their title game trips.

Miami is 4-2 in MAC Championship Games, including last season’s 23-14 upset of Toledo as a 6.5-point underdog with the Under (43.5) cashing. The RedHawks are on a 3-0 straight-up and against the spread (ATS) run in the title game at Ford Field.

The Bobcats steam in with 5 consecutive wins and covers, with the Under going 3-1 in the past 4 outings. Ohio’s offense has amassed 35 or more points in 4 of those 5 games, while the defense has limited the opposition to 10 or fewer points in 3 of the past 4, including an impressive 24-7 win at Toledo as 1-point underdogs Nov. 20.

The RedHawks took the regular-season meeting as 3.5-point favorites vs. the Bobcats 30-20 at Yager Stadium in Oxford Oct. 19 as the Over (43.5) cashed. That was 1 of 7 straight wins for Miami since Oct. 12, while going 5-2 ATS during the span. The Under is 2-1-1 in the RedHawks’ past 4 contests.

Rankings – US LBM Coaches Poll: Conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Ohio vs. Miami (Ohio) odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at 5:55 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Ohio +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Miami -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
Against the spread: Ohio +2.5 (-110) | Miami -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Ohio vs. Miami (Ohio) picks and predictions

Prediction

Miami 23, Ohio 19

Moneyline

If you’re expecting a close game, and you probably should, MIAMI (-135) isn’t a terrible play if you don’t want to mess around laying the points.

Ohio (+110) has been generally competitive in all 5 of its MAC title game appearances. As mentioned, while the Bobcats have lost all 5 of those games, they kept it within 10 points in the past 4 showings, including one-score games twice.

Miami just knows how to get the job done in Detroit, even winning the last 3 MAC Championship Game there as underdogs. It will be interesting to see how the RedHawks respond as favorites in this one.

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Against the spread

PLAY MIAMI -2.5 (-110) unless you’re absolutely sold that Ohio will win outright or the RedHawks will win but not by 3 or more points.

Miami has proven itself in this building, while Ohio is 0-for-5 in the MAC Championship Game. There is something to be said for that.

Over/Under

UNDER 44.5 (-115) is worth a look, but go with a half-unit bet at most.

First off, the Under has cashed in each of the past 2 MAC Championship Games. As mentioned Miami topped 23-14 last year. In 2002, Ohio lost to Toledo 17-7.

The defenses for both of these teams are nasty. Miami has allowed 12 or fewer points in 3 straight outings, and 4 of the past 5 games.

Ohio has a top-notch offense, but the defense has allowed 16 or fewer points in 4 of the previous 5 outings. We should see defense win the day Saturday afternoon.

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Ohio at Toledo odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Ohio at Toledo odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Ohio Bobcats (7-3, 5-1 MAC) and Toledo Rockets (7-3, 4-2) meet Wednesday. Kickoff from the Glass Bowl is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Ohio vs. Toledo odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

The Rockets look to maintain their dominance against the Bobcats. Toledo is 16-1 all-time at the Glass Bowl against Ohio. However, that lone loss came in the most recent meeting in Toledo, a 31-26 win by the Bobcats as a 15-point underdog in 2016.

The most recent battle in this series came in the 2022 MAC Championship Game, a 17-7 win by Toledo as a 3-point favorite as the Under (60.5) cashed.

Ohio has won and covered 3 in a row, scoring 35 or more points in each outing. The Under has cashed in the past 2, however, as Ohio allowed just 10 points, including a 41-0 shutout at the Kent State Golden Flashes on Nov. 6 as a 20.5-point favorite.

Toledo posted a 37-10 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas as a 14.5-point favorite as the Under (52) connected last time out on Nov. 12. The Rockets have scored 26 or more points in 3 in a row, while the Over has cashed at a 4-2 clip in the past 6 outings.

Rankings – US LBM Coaches Poll: Conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Ohio at Toledo odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at 6:13 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Ohio +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Toledo -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
Against the spread: Ohio +1.5 (-108) | Toledo -1.5 (-112)
Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Ohio at Toledo picks and predictions

Prediction

Ohio 27, Toledo 24

Moneyline

OHIO (+100) is worth a play at even-money on the road against Toledo (-120) in this titanic matchup. With a win over the Rockets, and a victory next week against Ball State, the Bobcats could earn a trip to the MAC title game. It controls its own destiny, but obviously this is the most difficult game.

The Glass Bowl has been a house of horrors for Ohio, but they won in the most recent meeting, although that was 8 years ago. While trends are interesting, it isn’t hugely important when the starting QB Parker Navarro was 15 years old and playing high school football at Desert Vista High School in Tempe, Ariz.

Against the spread

Playing Ohio +1.5 (-108) rather than the moneyline makes absolutely no sense unless you’re convinced Toledo -1.5 (-110) is going to win, but only by a single point. Playing the ML is much more economical.

PASS.

Over/Under

OVER 44.5 (-110) is a strong play in this battle.

While, yes, the Bobcats have allowed just 26 points in the past 3 games, that’s against teams with a combined record of 11-20. This will easily be Ohio’s biggest test since facing Miami (Ohio) Oct. 19 in Oxford when it allowed 30 points.

The Rockets have a powerful offense, going for 29.9 PPG, including 249.2 passing yards per game, and the defense has been tagged for 221.6 yards per game through the air and 21.1 PPG.

This won’t be a track meet, but this should at least be into the 50’s.

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Eastern Michigan at Ohio odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Eastern Michigan at Ohio odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-4, 2-3 Mid-American) and Ohio Bobcats (6-3, 4-1) tangle Wednesday in Athens. Kickoff at Peden Stadium is 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Eastern Michigan vs. Ohio odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Eastern Michigan hits the gridiron for the first time since Nov. 2 when the 10-point-underdog Eagles lost their second straight 1-score game, a 29-28 defeat to the Toledo Rockets. After starting the season 4-1, EMU has gone 1-3 since Oct. 12.

Ohio last played Nov. 6 when it covered a 20.5-point spread in a 41-0 victory at the Kent State Golden Flashes. The win marked the Bobcats fourth in their last 5 games. OU is 4-0 at home this season.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Eastern Michigan at Ohio odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Tuesday at 5:01 p.m. ET.

Moneyline: Eastern Michigan +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Ohio -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Eastern Michigan +10.5 (-110) | Ohio -10.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Eastern Michigan at Ohio picks and predictions

Prediction

Ohio 34, Eastern Michigan 20

Moneyline

No interest. PASS.

Against the spread

Since 2006, Ohio is 6-1 ATS across the last 7 EMU-OU contests.

The Eagles are a plus-7 in turnover margin and the Bobcats are a minus-8. The play-by-play and drive analytics peg Ohio as being the more efficient team. And OU has its offense, especially its running game, pointed in the right direction.

Add in a significant red-zone edge at both ends for the Bobcats.

BACK OHIO -10.5 (-110).

Over/Under

The Over is 4-1 across EMU’s last 5 games and 3-1 in OU’s last 4.

The Bobcats have scored 88 points over their last 2 games. The Eagles run through a lot of plays each game and typically eclipse 45 passing attempts when trailing. Per TeamRankings.com, EMU’s average of 82.0 plays per game ranks second in the nation.

OU can be turnover-prone, and EMU has been good as taking away the football. Some turnover-induced short-field scores could well be part of the game flow here.

TAKE THE OVER 50.5 (-110) in this MACtion Wednesday night’er.

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Miami (Ohio) at Ohio odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Miami (Ohio) at Ohio odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (6-2, 3-1 MAC) visit the Ohio Bobcats (6-2, 3-1) on Saturday. Kick from Peden Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Miami of Ohio fell 21-17 at home against Toledo last week, failing to cover as a 2-point underdog. QB Brett Gabbert threw for 179 yards and an interception in a 14-of-29 performance. RB Rashad Amos (10 carries for 55 yards) and RB Kenny Tracy (5 for 16) each had a rushing touchdown.

The Bobcats took down Western Michigan 20-17 last week while failing to cover as 16.5-point home favorites. QB Kurtis Rourke went 24 of 39 for 275 yards and a TD in the win, with top target WR Sam Wiglusz hauling in 10 receptions for 155 yards and a TD. RB Sieh Bangura carried the ball 15 times for 86 yards and a TD.

Ohio has won the previous 2 Battle of the Bricks matchups, most recently winning 37-21 to cover as a 2-point road favorite in 2022.

Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

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Miami (Ohio) at Ohio odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:01 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Miami (Ohio) +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Ohio -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Miami (Ohio) +7.5 (-110) | Ohio -7.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 38.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Miami (Ohio) at Ohio picks and predictions

Prediction

Ohio 31, Miami of Ohio 27

Moneyline

PASS.

Ohio has the advantage when it plays in front of its home crowd with a 4-0 record this season. Outside of a 23-13 loss on the road against Northern Illinois 2 weeks ago, the Bobcats have looked like the superior team in each of their past 7 games, going 6-1 in that span. At -275 odds though, there is not much profit to be made on a Bobcats’ victory.

Against the spread

LEAN MIAMI (OHIO) +7.5 (-110).

Three of the last 4 matchups between these schools have resulted in a single-score result as well as the underdog covering. Ohio has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 2 games, while Miami of Ohio is 6-1 ATS in its last 7. The Bobcats should be expected to win on Saturday, but expect a close game in this rivalry between the top 2 teams in the MAC East.

Over/Under

BET OVER 38.5 (-115).

As it stands, this total would be the lowest for either school this season. The Over hit in the 2 most recent matchups between the RedHawks and Bobcats, while the last time these teams combined for fewer than 40 points was in 2016 when the Bobcats beat the RedHawks 17-7. In the past 10 matchups dating back to 2012, Under 38.5 would only hold a 2-8 record; in that span, the lowest point total was set at 50 points (2013, 2016).

When these programs come together, expect a lot of points.

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Ohio at Florida Atlantic odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Ohio at Florida Atlantic odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Ohio Bobcats (1-1) meet the Florida Atlantic Owls (1-0) Saturday at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio vs. Florida Atlantic odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

The Bobcats bounced back from a 20-13 setback at San Diego State in Week 0 to post a 27-10 win over Long Island U of the FCS in Athens last weekend. The Bobcats didn’t come close to covering the 34-point number against the Sharks, and Ohio is now 0-2 against the spread (ATS) while posting the Under in each outing.

The Owls also opened with an FCS opponent, running past Monmouth 42-20. Former Texas and Nebraska QB Casey Thompson threw for 5 TDs in the rout, helping head coach Tom Herman to his 1st win in Boca. The Owls just missed covering the 25.5-point spread as the Over (55.5) hit.

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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Ohio at Florida Atlantic odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:55 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Ohio +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Florida Atlantic -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Ohio +3.5 (-110) | Florida Atlantic -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Ohio at Florida Atlantic picks and predictions

Prediction

Florida Atlantic 31, Ohio 24

Moneyline

FLORIDA ATLANTIC (-175) is a little on the expensive side, but not priced out of line if you do not want to fiddle around with the points. FAU will have revenge on its mind after blowing last season’s game in Athens against Ohio by a 41-38 count.

And not that you want to benefit from an injury, but FAU might catch a break with QB Kurtis Rourke (knee/leg) being a huge question mark. The defending MAC Player of the Year played against San Diego State, just months after suffering an ACL, but he left the game early and didn’t play against LIU. He is a huge question mark. If he cannot play, QB Jalen Mayden would run things again.

Even with Rourke, it would be an uphill climb for Ohio, but if the lesser experienced Mayden is in there, FAU should be in good shape.

Against the spread

FAU -3.5 (-110) is a good play laying the 3 and a hook. It’s not my personal favorite for a bet, as I much prefer 2.5 or a flat 3 in a close game, but it will suffice.

Ohio +3.5 (-110) hasn’t covered in its 2 games to date, and it lost by 7 in the road opener in San Diego. I expect a similar fate on Saturday night in Boca, as the Owls exact a little revenge.

Over/Under

UNDER 61.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board in this game.

Yes, FAU hung 42 points last week, but that was against a defensively-challenged Monmouth team. Ohio has locked it down on defense so far, allowing a total of just 30 points in 2 games. And the Bobcats have struggled to move the football consistently with Mayden playing a majority of the snaps. Will this be a defensive slog? No. But will be see 79 combined points like last season? Not even close.

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Ohio at San Diego State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Ohio at San Diego State odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Ohio Bobcats and the San Diego State Aztecs meet Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio at San Diego State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

The Bobcats head into the 2023 season with high hopes, and they’re one of the favorites in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Ohio’s hopes are likely pinned on the play of QB Kurtis Rourke, who is making his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament late in the 2022 season. He is slated to start the opener, which is tremendous news for the Bobcats. RB Sieh Bangura and WR Sam Wiglusz are back for a high-octane offense, too.

The Aztecs aren’t picked to be among the top teams in the Mountain West. In fact, they’ll likely be middle of the pack. However, QB Jalen Mayden was a find last season, and he’ll be the focal point of the offense, as he can run and pass. He might need to do more running with leading receiver Tyrell Shavers no longer in SoCal. The San Diego State defense will be nasty once again.

These teams have met just once before, with Ohio coming away with a 27-0 win in the DXL Frisco Bowl on Dec. 19, 2018.

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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Ohio at San Diego State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:36 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Ohio +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | San Diego State -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Ohio +2.5 (-105) | San Diego State -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Ohio at San Diego State picks and predictions

Prediction

San Diego State 19, Ohio 16

Moneyline

It’s tempting to go with the MAC visitors, as Ohio (+120) has the potential to be a 9- or 10-win team this season. But SAN DIEGO STATE (-145) is home, and Mayden is likely to give the defense fits. In turn, I am not sold on Rourke being 100% after an ACL injury late in the 2022 season. Facing the nasty Aztecs D is not an easy assignment.

Against the spread

SAN DIEGO STATE -2.5 (-110) is worth a look, but go lightly. This won’t be a lopsided game by any stretch, as that’s just not the Aztecs’ game. They do it with defense. They do it with careful offense. And they rag the clock. It’s the Aztecs way.

Over/Under

UNDER 48.5 (-110) is the best play on the board, and it’s not even close. I’d go low all the way down to 45.5, that’s how confident I am.

Rourke is likely to take very few chances early on, and he is likely to struggle against a very difficult Aztecs defense. Ohio brings a solid defensive unit to the game, too, and Mayden will take some time to find a new top target with Shavers no longer there.

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MAC Tournament: Ohio vs. Toledo odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Ohio vs. Toledo odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The 5th-seeded Ohio Bobcats (19-13) and No. 1 Toledo Rockets (26-6) tangle in a Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal Friday. The contest at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland will tip off at 5 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio vs. Toledo odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Ohio drubbed Ball State 90-70 in a Thursday quarterfinal as a 1.5-point underdog. The Bobcats are an up-tempo team that has scored 90-plus in back-to-back games now. When they played the Rockets in the regular season, it was a 90 on the other side of the scorebook as Ohio lost to 8.5=point favorite Toledo 90-75 on Jan. 17 while the 159.5 Over hit.

Toledo defeated Miami (Ohio) 91-75 on Thursday as 13.5-point favorites to earn its 16th consecutive victory. This veteran Rockets group has now won 4 of its last 5 games by 15 points or more. Toledo went 8-of-21 from distance against Miami; the Rockets rank No. 2 in the nation in 3-point accuracy (40.2%).

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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Ohio vs. Toledo odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:49 p.m. ET.

Moneyline: Off the board
Against the spread (ATS): Ohio +5.5 (-115) | Toledo -5.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 162.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Ohio vs. Toledo picks and predictions

Prediction

Toledo 83, Ohio 74

Moneyline

Not available.

Against the spread

The Rockets are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 games of this series.

Toledo has the better ability to score inside and a more diverse approach on offense overall. Ohio’s defense has been solid in the team’s last 2 games, but in the longer view the Bobcats don’t be able to stay within 2 scores in this contest.

BET THE ROCKETS -5.5 (-105).

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Over/Under

Both teams play faster than an average pace, and both sport efficient offenses. And the total here overcompensates for those factors. Don’t expect a lot of turnover/transition ball or an abundance of 2nd-chance buckets.

In the neutral venue, bank on a lower total. TAKE THE UNDER 162.5 (-110).

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MAC Tournament: Ohio vs. Ball State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Ohio vs. Ball State Mid-American Conference Tournament odds, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Ohio Bobcats (18-13, 10-8) and Ball State Cardinals (20-11, 11-7) meet Thursday in a 1st-round matchup in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Tip from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is at approximately 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio vs. Ball State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Ohio enters the tournament with 7 wins in the last 9 games overall, while going 6-2 ATS in the last 8 outings.

The Bobcats had a fantastic offense in the regular season, averaging 78.6 PPG to rank 32nd in the country, while hitting 3-pointers at a 37.2% clip, good for 39th overall. Ohio struggles defensively, however, allowing 72.9 PPG, ranked 265th in the nation.

Ball State dropped 3 straight games to close the regular season, although 2 losses were to No. 1-seed Toledo, and to the defending MAC champ and 3-seed, Akron.

These teams played just once in the regular season, with the Bobcats winning 76-71 in Athens as a 2-point favorite with the 145 Over just coming through.

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Ohio vs. Ball State odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:07 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Off the board (OTB)
Against the spread: Ohio -1.5 (+100) | Ball State +1.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 152.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Ohio vs. Ball State picks and predictions

Prediction

Ohio 79, Ball State 75

Moneyline

The moneyline was OTB at the time of publishing. However, check when a moneyline is made available as Ohio would be worth a roll of the dice at what should be a favorable price.

AVOID, and focus on the spread instead, for now.

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Against the spread

The play is OHIO -1.5 (+100) at even-money.

The Bobcats pounced on the Cardinals in the first and only meeting of the regular season, and Ohio was money from downtown in that game. It hit 48% (10-of-21) from behind the arc, and it will likely go right back to that well in this tourney action. Ball State +1.5 (-120) was horrific defending against the 3 all season, allowing 38.0%, which ranked 354th in the country. That will be the difference.

Over/Under

OVER 152.5 (-105) is the lean, especially with the aforementioned 3-point shooting prowess of Ohio, and the inability for Ball State to guard at the perimeter.

The Over is also 4-0 for Ohio in the last 4 games against teams with a winning percentage over .600, while Ball State has cashed the Over at a 5-1-1 clip in the last 7 games overall, and 4-1 in the last 5 against teams with a winning overall mark.

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2023 MAC Tournament odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing the 2023 MAC Tournament futures odds, with expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 2023 Mid-American Conference Tournament tips off Thursday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. In the MAC, the top 8 teams qualify for the conference tournament, leaving Bowling Green (11-20, 5-13 MAC), Central Michigan (10-21, 5-13), Eastern Michigan (8-23, 5-13) and Western Michigan (8-23, 4-14) out of the festivities.

The first game of Thursday’s early session tips at 11 a.m. ET (ESPN+). The title game is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

Below, we analyze lines around the 2023 MAC Tournament futures odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

The Toledo Rockets (25-6) won the regular-season title — their 3rd outright in a row — behind a 16-2 record inside the conference. G RayJ Dennis led the way with 19.4 points per game (PPG), good for 2nd in the MAC, while leading the league with 5.9 assists per game (APG).

The Kent State Golden Flashes (25-6, 15-3) gave chase up to the finale, falling a game short of sharing the title. G Sincere Carry is the big man on campus for the Flashes, going for 17.4 PPG and 4.9 APG.

In fact, 3 teams from the state of Ohio placed 1-2-3 in the standings with the Akron Zips (21-10, 13-5) completing the trifecta with a 3rd-place showing.

The Zips are the defending MAC Tournament champs. Akron dumped Kent State 75-55 last March in the title game behind the exploits of F Enrique Freeman (game-high 23 points). The Zips were 1-point underdogs in that contest.

Freeman was the conference’s top rebounder, pulling down 11.1 per game to finish as the MAC’s only player in double-digits in the category. He was 2nd in the league with a 60.5% field-goal percentage (according to the league’s official website) and 9th in scoring (16.5 PPG). Akron also had the MAC’s top scorer in G Xavier Castaneda, who filled up the stat sheet with 21.4 PPG – good enough for 12th in the country.

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MAC Tournament futures odds

Provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 3:09 a.m. ET.

1 seed: Toledo Rockets +150 (bet $100 to win $150)

2 seed: Kent State Golden Flashes +200 (bet $100 to win $200)

3 seed: Akron Zips +350 (bet $100 to win $350)

4 seed: Ohio Bobcats +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)

5 seed: Ball State Cardinals +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500)

6 seed: Buffalo Bulls +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)

7 seed: Northern Illinois Huskies +8000 (bet $100 to win $8,000)

8 seed: Miami (Ohio) RedHawks +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

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MAC Tournament expert pick and prediction

Akron Zips (+350)

To be the champ, you have to beat the champ. The Zips know what it takes to get to the top of the mountain. Look for Akron to repeat and become the first back-to-back MAC Tournament winner since Buffalo (2018 and 2019).

Along with the MAC’s top scorer in Castaneda, the Zips feature Freeman, who was last season’s tourney MVP. The duo give Akron a tremendous one-two punch. G Trendon Hankerson can be a serviceable tertiary scorer, too, posting 8.9 PPG, although he is rather erratic in the FG department, struggling at 37.6% (92 of 245), per the team’s official website. However, he did hit 37.5% of his 3-point attempts (69 of 184).

The Zips aren’t a great shooting team, so that’s the concern with picking Akron to go all the way. Despite a subpar 43.9% FG percentage (ranking 10th in the MAC), it still managed 73.8 PPG (7th) and hit 35.1% from behind the arc (4th). Defensively, the Zips limited opponents to 66.2 PPG (2nd behind Kent State’s 65.4%), although they are susceptible to the 3-pointer, allowing teams to hit at a 34.5% clip (7th).

Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

MAC Tournament contenders

These teams are worth a futures bet to win the conference title.

Toledo Rockets (+150)

The Rockets are the chalk, but they certainly have flaws. The good news is that Toledo led the league in scoring (85.7 PPG) and swept the regular-season series against defending conference tournament champ Akron. The bad news is that Toledo was worked over by Kent State 75-63 back on Jan. 10, though the Golden Flashes were 4-point home favorites.

Along with Dennis, Toledo has F JT Shumate, who racked up 16.5 PPG and hit 41.5% of his 3-point attempts. F Setric Millner Jr. chipped in with 15.9 PPG, giving the Rockets a solid 3-headed scoring monster.

However, defense wins championships and the Rockets had ugly numbers on that end of the floor. They allowed 76.1 PPG to rank 320th in the country according to NCAA.com, while opponents hit 45.8% from the field (298th) and 36.1% from 3 (299th), which also ranked 11th in the 12-team MAC.

If the Rockets don’t improve defensively, they’ll have a tough time winning this tournament.

Kent State Golden Flashes (+200)

As mentioned above, the Golden Flashes finished 1 game back of the Rockets for the regular-season title despite beating Toledo by 12 in their lone regular-season meeting, which was at Kent. The Flashes split with the 3rd-place Zips, winning 89-84 in overtime as 5-point home favorites in Friday’s regular-season finale, and losing 67-55 as 1-point road favorites Feb. 3.

Kent, which has won 7 of its last 8 games, can light up the scoreboard like Toledo, going for 76.0 PPG (5th in the MAC), although it is a poor 3-point shooting team at 33.7% (8th). However, Kent State is a much more superior defensive club than Toledo as the Golden Flashes led the MAC in least points allowed (65.4). They really threw a blanket on the opposition during the season, holding teams to a 40.1% FG percentage — 1st in the MAC and 18th in the country.

MAC Tournament long shots

Ball State Cardinals (+1500)

The Cardinals (20-11, 11-7) have the 5th-longest odds to cut down the nets after Saturday’s title game, but they are a 20-win team with plenty of confidence.

Ball State scored a 12-point win (82-70) over Kent State Feb. 21, cashing outright as a 3-point home underdog. The Rockets also scored an impressive 90-83 victory at Toledo Jan. 3 as 8.5-point underdogs. In fact, Ball State seems to relish the underdog role lately, covering in 2 of its last 3 games when it was getting points.

OHIO BOBCATS (+1000)

Ohio is almost like a poor man’s Toledo. This team can score with the best of them, but it doesn’t put up much resistance defensively.

The Bobcats went for 78.6 PPG, 2nd in the MAC and 34th in the country. If Ohio gets hot from behind the arc, it could be dangerous. The Bobcats hit 37.2% from downtown, good for 36th in the nation. F Dwight Wilson III is a handful, going for 15.9 PPG and 9.1 RPG, and he hit 62.0% from the field.

Defensively, the ‘Cats allowed 72.9 PPG, which was 4th in the conference but 261st in the country. Defense will likely be their downfall. Still, Ohio is worth a small-unit play for a chance to cash a 10-to-1 payout.

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For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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