Bowl game action keeps rolling on Saturday afternoon as the Miami (OH) RedHawks (8-5) face the Colorado State Rams (8-4) in the Arizona Bowl. These two programs have met twice before, with Miami (OH) winning both matchups. The RedHawks had a disappointing end to their season, losing 38-3 to Ohio in the MAC Championship. Can they rebound from that blowout loss with a win here? Or will Colorado State end its season on a high note? Let’s dive into the matchup and find out.
Miami (OH) vs Colorado State - Arizona Bowl Odds
Matchup Page: Miami (OH) vs Colorado State, December 28, 4:30 pm ET
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Ohio | -3.0 (-110) | -137 | O40.5 (-110) |
| Colorado State | +3.0 (-110) | +114 | U40.5 (-110) |
Odds as of December 27 at FanDuel
Miami Ohio vs Colorado State - Arizona Bowl Picks
Colorado +3.0 (-110) at FanDuel
As with any bowl game handicap, we have to start with who won’t be playing for both teams in the Arizona Bowl. Miami (OH) will be without several key players who left via the transfer portal. Left tackle Will Jados (Texas Tech), wide receiver Reggie Virgil (Texas Tech), wide receiver Javon Tracy (Minnesota), and cornerback Raidon Strader (Auburn) have all committed to other programs. Cornerback William Hardrick is also in the portal.
Tracy and Virgil combined for 98 catches, 1,634 yards, and 16 touchdowns, so their absence is a massive blow to the offense. Wide receiver Cade McDonald and right tackle Reid Holskey are out-out candidates to monitor, and this could be a skeleton crew offense surrounding Brett Gabbert by the time we get to kickoff.
Colorado State doesn’t escape without losses of its own, however. The Rams dealt with significant injuries at the end of the season, including a season-ending injury for star wide receiver Tory Horton. Fellow wide receiver Caleb Goodie and starting defensive tackle Cam Bariteau also missed the regular season finale.
The Rams could also be without a handful of players who have entered the transfer portal, including linebacker Buom Jock and defensive linemen Mukendi Wa-Kalonji and Nuer Gatkuoth. Those defensive absences will be even more significant after defensive coordinator Freddie Banks was fired at the end of the season.
While the Rams won’t have their full complement of wide receivers, they can lean on running back Avery Morrow, who emerged as a difference-maker this season. He’ll help take pressure off Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a talented quarterback who can take advantage of a RedHawks secondary missing key pieces.
Gabbert had a solid season for Miami, but he could be up against it with all the absences surrounding him. The RedHawks already ranked 98th in EPA/rush and 117th in rushing success rate this year, so it’s not like they have a reliable run game to lean on in a more balanced offensive approach.
Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell should have a strong game plan with the benefit of extra preparation, and I give him the edge over Miami (OH) head coach Chuck Martin, who has gone just 1-4 SU in bowl games. The value lies with the Rams as 3-point underdogs in the desert.
Miami Ohio vs Colorado State - Arizona Bowl Play Prop
Avery Morrow Rushing yards
After losing superstar wide receiver Tory Horton for the season, Colorado State had to rethink its offensive approach. That led to a greater reliance on the run game, and Avery Morrow became a serious difference-maker for this team. He posted 80+ rushing yards in seven of nine games to close the regular season, including four 100+ yard outings. The RedHawks won’t be able to load the box due to their absences on the back end, and Morrow should be able to take advantage.
Miami Ohio vs Colorado State Betting Trends
- Miami (OH) head coach Chuck Martin is 1-4 in bowl games
- Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell is 2-1 in bowl games
- Colorado State went 7-1-1 ATS in its final nine games
