We head to the Arizona Bowl, where the Miami (OH) RedHawks (8-5, 7-1 MAC) will face the Colorado State Rams (8-4, 6-1 Mountain West).
Miami (OH) enters this one after a blowout loss in the MAC Championship.
Colorado State has won six of its last seven games, including a rivalry win over Utah State in the season finale.
Miami (OH) is a 2.5-point favorite on the spread with a 40.5-point over/under.
Both teams have had their fair share of opt-outs and transfers. But which team will be more prepared to fight in the Arizona Bowl?
Read on for our Miami (OH) vs Colorado State predictions and college football picks for the Arizona Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Miami (OH) RedHawks vs Colorado State Rams Prediction, Picks
- Miami (OH) vs Colorado State Pick: Over 40.5
My Miami (OH) vs Colorado State best bet is on the over, with the best line currently available at bet365, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Miami (OH) vs Colorado State Odds, Spread, lines
| Miami (OH) Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -112 | 42.5 -110 / -110 | -130 |
| Colorado State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -108 | 42.5 -110 / -110 | +110 |
Miami (OH) vs Colorado State Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Betting Preview
Miami RedHawks Betting Preview
Head coach Chuck Martin has established the RedHawks as MAC contenders every year.
They are coming off a disappointing blowout loss, so I expect Martin to have his team ready to go in this one. They want to avenge their MAC title game to build momentum on the recruiting trail this offseason.
The Redhawks’ offense is driven through quarterback Brett Gabbert and the passing game. Unfortunately for Gabbert, his top two receivers are committed to playing elsewhere next season, so he will have to figure out where to go with the football in this one.
The RedHawks rank 53rd nationally in Pass Success Rate and second in Pass Play Rate.
Their ground game is awful, and they know it. They rank 130th in Rush Success Rate and don't even try to run the ball, ranking 133rd in Rush Play Rate.
They have had about a month to prepare for this one, so I suspect a veteran quarterback like Gabbertt will have his new receivers ready to go. He must connect well with these new guys to win in Tucson.
Miami has done well defensively this season, limiting teams to 18.9 points per game. The RedHawks rank seventh nationally in Explosiveness allowed, while they rank 112th in Success Rate allowed. They allow teams to move the ball on them but force teams into a patient playstyle, which can be difficult for younger players to do consistently.
Miami will have to hope Colorado State makes a few key mistakes that can take away points off the board for the Rams to win this one.
Colorado State Rams Betting Preview
Head coach Jay Norvell has shown constant improvement in his time in Fort Collins, improving his record every season. He will be without a few key defensive linemen due to the transfer portal, but I know Norvell will have his team ready to go to win Colorado State’s first bowl win since 2004.
The Rams averaged 25 points per game this season offensively, and it's all based upon a strong run game.
Starting running back Avery Morrow has averaged nearly six yards per carry on the season, and he will need to get going against the RedHawk defense in this one. The Rams rank 53rd nationally in Rush Success Rate and 47th in Rush Play Rate.
The Rams' pass attack has not been great, as they rank 115th in Pass Success Rate and 107th in Pass Explosiveness. It is hard to rely on a one-dimensional offense in bowl season, but I think the Rams will still succeed offensively by running the ball.
Defensively, Colorado State allows 24.3 points per game on the year. This Colorado State run defense is reasonably strong, ranking 71st in Rush Success Rate allowed and 51st in Rush Explosiveness allowed.
Unfortunately for the Rams, Miami’s pass attack is their strength. Colorado State has struggled to slow down the passing attack all season. The Rams rank 131st in Pass Success Rate allowed, so if Gabbert can figure it out with some new receivers, the Rams could be in trouble.
Miami (OH) vs Colorado State Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Miami (OH) and Colorado State match up statistically:
Miami (OH) Offense vs. Colorado State Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 124 | 65 | |
| Line Yards | 70 | 67 |  |
| Pass Success | 44 | 79 | |
| Havoc | 76 | 56 | |
| Finishing Drives | 114 | 91 | |
| Quality Drives | 42 | 44 | |
Colorado State Offense vs. Miami (OH) Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 78 | 107 | |
| Line Yards | 102 | 112 | |
| Pass Success | 92 | 20 | |
| Havoc | 49 | 46 | |
| Finishing Drives | 94 | 7 | |
| Quality Drives | 63 | 12 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 73 | 78 |
| PFF Coverage | 66 | 52 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 37 | 90 |
| Middle 8 | 40 | 71 |
| Seconds per Play | 28.4 (106) | 28.8 (115) |
| Rush Rate | 51% (105) | 56% (36) |
My Miami (OH) vs Colorado State Pick, Best Bets
These two offenses have been pretty slow-moving and not explosive all season, and the low total suggests that, especially with the opt-outs in this one.
Both offenses have an advantage over the opposing defenses, with Miami (OH)’s pass attack against a weak secondary and the strong Rams’ run game against a weak Miami (OH) run defense.
Pick: Over 40.5
Miami (OH) vs. Colorado State Channel, How to Watch, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ |
| Date: | Saturday, Dec. 28 |
| Kickoff Time: | 4:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | The CW |
Miami (OH) vs Colorado State will be played at Arizona Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 4:30 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live on The CW.
Miami (OH) vs Colorado State Betting Trends To Know
Miami (OH) vs Colorado State Weather
