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USATSI

The 97th edition of the "Battle of the Bricks" is set for Tuesday night when the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks face the Ohio Bobcats in a MACtion matchup in Athens, Ohio. The RedHawks (4-4, 3-1 MAC), who are co-leaders with Kent State in the MAC East, have struggled away from home in 2021, winning just one of five road games. The Bobcats (1-7, 1-3), who are tied with the Akron Zips for fourth in the division, have not won at home in four tries this season. Miami has won the last two meetings, including a 24-21 triumph in 2019 in the last game between the teams.

Kickoff from Peden Stadium will be at 7:30 p.m. ET. Turnovers have hurt both teams this season. Miami (Ohio) is tied for 70th-best turnover margin in the country at zero, while Ohio is 115th at minus-five. The RedHawks are favored by seven points in the latest Miami vs. Ohio odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 54. Before making any Ohio vs. Miami picks, make sure you check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection 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 $3,700 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 10 of the 2021 season on a 28-15 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 on Ohio vs. Miami and just locked in its MACtion picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see all of the model's CFB picks. Now, here are several college football odds and trends for Miami vs. Ohio:

  • Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio spread: Miami -7
  • Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio over-under: 54 points
  • Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio money line: Miami -290, Ohio +235
  • MOH: The RedHawks are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight road games against a team with a losing home record
  • OH: The Bobcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a home underdog

Why Miami (Ohio) can cover

The RedHawks sport one of the top 50 defenses in the country and are allowing just 349.9 yards per game, 47th-best in the nation. Among their defensive leaders is redshirt freshman defensive back Matthew Salopek, who leads the team in tackles with 72, including 41 solo. He also has three pass breakups. In Miami win at Ball State on Oct. 23, he had a career-high 17 tackles, including nine solo. It is his third double-digit tackle total of the season.

Also powering the defense is sophomore defensive lineman Lonnie Phelps. He leads the RedHawks with 5 ½ sacks for 42 yards and has registered 20 tackles, including 16 solo. He also has one fumble recovery. He has at least one-half sack in six of seven games. Against Akron on Oct. 16, Phelps recorded four solo tackles, one sack and recovered a fumble in a 34-21 win.

Why Ohio can cover 

The Bobcats usually play the RedHawks tough. They have won 11 of 14 in the series and the past three losses to Miami (Ohio) have been by three points or less, including a 24-21 decision in 2019. They did not play last season due to COVID-19. Among Ohio's top weapons on offense is junior wide receiver Ty Walton. Walton leads the team with 25 receptions for 277 yards (11.1 average) and two touchdowns. His best game was in a 28-26 loss to Duquesne on Sept. 11, when he caught six passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Ohio is led by junior linebacker Bryce Houston, who has a team-high 63 tackles, including 35 solo. He also has a half-sack. In the last two games, he has double-digit tackles. He made 11 stops, including his half-sack against Kent State on Oct. 23, and had 15 tackles, including 11 solo, at Buffalo on Oct. 16. For the season, he has had four games with double-digit tackle numbers.

How to make Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting 53 combined points. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that cashes in over 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine. 

So who wins Ohio vs. Miami? And which side of the spread cashes in over 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that finished the past five-plus years up nearly $3,700 on its FBS college football picks, and find out.