College football enthusiasts created the Frisco Football Classic to ensure that every bowl-eligible FBS program had a home for the postseason. The North Texas Mean Green and Miami (OH) RedHawks, a pair of 6-6 squads, were more than happy to benefit from the opportunity, and they face each other in the game's inaugural edition Thursday. The Mean Green fought back from a 1-6 start to win their final five games and reach bowl eligibility. The RedHawks won the MAC last year but struggled to gain traction this year, but went 4-2 down the stretch to qualify for or a bid in the 2021 Frisco Football Classic.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Caesars Sportsbook lists the RedHawks at -1.5, down three points from the opening North Texas vs. Miami odds. The over-under for total points has jumped up to 56 after opening at 52.5. Before finalizing any Miami vs. North Texas picks or 2021 Frisco Football Classic predictions, be sure to see the betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters the second week of the 2021-22 college football bowl season on a 43-30 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights North Texas vs. Miami and locked in its Frisco Football Classic 2021 picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting trends for Miami vs. North Texas:
- North Texas vs. Miami point spread: Miami -1.5
- North Texas vs. Miami over-under total: 56 points
- North Texas vs. Miami money line: Miami -120, North Texas +100
- UNT: The Mean Green are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games as underdogs
- MIA: The RedHawks have covered five consecutive neutral-site games
Why Miami (OH) can cover
Although the North Texas defense has received more headlines because of its big-play capability, the RedHawks quietly put together a solid defense of their own. Finishing second in total defense in a conference known for its high-output offenses is a notable feat and holding opponents to fewer than 24 points in any conference is the measure of a formidable unit. Miami's scoring defense of 23.8 points per game ranks No. 45 nationally.
The defensive stalwarts have received some accolades as lineman Kameron Butler and linebacker Ivan Pace received first-team, all-conference recognition. Butler, a junior, recorded eight sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 29 total tackles.
Pace topped the club with 116 total tackles, good for second overall in the MAC. The sophomore also had four sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. Senior lineman Dominique Robinson recorded 4.5 sacks and 28 total tackles.
Why North Texas can cover
The Mean Green head to the Frisco Football Classic 2021 on the heels of one of the most impressive wins in the program's history. Their 45-23 blowout of UTSA ended the Roadrunners' undefeated season after they had become a Group of Five Cinderella story and spent much of the season in the top-25 rankings.
Although they were just 12-point home underdogs, a sign that oddsmakers already had taken note of their improvement, the dominant fashion in which they crushed UTSA was unexpected. The Roadrunners fumbled their first kickoff return and trailed 10-0 before their offense took one snap.
Rainy weather caused ball security issues for both clubs but, aside from committing two turnovers, the Mean Green had their way with a rushing attack that went for 340 yards and saw two players break triple digits. DeAndre Torrey rushed 23 times for 108 yards and three touchdowns, while Ikaika Ragsdale had 20 rushes for 146 yards and two scores.
How to make North Texas vs. Miami (OH) picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time. You can only get the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Miami (OH) vs. North Texas in the Frisco Football Classic 2021? And which side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to back, all from the advanced model that is up almost $3,600 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
