Bowling Green at Miami OH

Guest · Nov 2, 2003

YTD: 11-3

Miami OH -3.5 (FIRST HALF)

Miami OWNS the Falcons! The Redhawks were looking to this game with that flat performance last week at Kent State. BGSU coming off an emotional performance at home on TV against highly touted NIU will not be at the same level as Miami. The Hawks do not waste any time and have had double digit halftime leads in every game except the Iowa game (first one of the season and their only loss). The Hawks will also want to showcase their Heisman Trophy candidate QB Ben Roethlisberger. Redhawks have scored first in EVERY game this season and I think BGSU will be flat off the big win at home. Besides Miami OWNS THEM! (36-18-1 All-time and 4-0 L4)

I'm staying off the Hawks for the game because they have a tendency to let teams back in games in the 2nd half (unless they're playing Ball St or Buffalo) and they do have Marshall next week (big game for them in the MAC East).

This line will go up IMO so if you want it grab it soon.

P.S. Turnover margin? Miami +9 BGSU 0

P.P.S. Miami head coach Terry Hoeppner has NEVER lost to BGSU (3-0)

P.P.P.S. Special teams: both are bad at kickoff returns but punt returns are a different story. Miami #2 in the nation BGSU #51 (edge: MIAMI).

P.P.P.P.S. MIAMI OWNS BGSU!!!

Guest · Nov 2, 2003

Another tidbit (not really a factor in my capping):

Teams that play NIU are 1-5 ATS the following week this season (Ohio U was the only one that bucked the trend winning 28-0 vs Central Florida).

Guest · Nov 2, 2003

Now I remembered why I threw out that after NIU stat:

Teams that play Kent State are 1-6 ATS the following week this season (Akron was the one win).

PatrickMcIrish · Nov 3, 2003

Nice record Sportsbet. I like Miami Ohio myself. Good luck to us.

Co-Captain · Nov 3, 2003

Looks good my friend, GL with your plays. Aloha.

BREADMAN · Nov 3, 2003

when they post the total in this game i will be playing the OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BREADMAN

Guest · Nov 3, 2003

Thanks guys (Irish and Capt) and Breadman I may agree with you there but I like the Hawks more than the Over.

I expect Miami to be up for this challenge and they have one of the best D's in the MAC. BG's D isn't too shabby either but there are so many talented offensive players in this game it's hard not to see a lot of points. It will take a lot more convincing for me to play the Over but if I had to lean on the total I'd lean that way. Good luck!

sb

Guest · Nov 4, 2003

A little fun reading before kickoff:

Are you afraid of the dark?

Miami, BGSU clash in battle of MAC division leaders

By Kevin Chlum,
The Miami Student

Miami and Bowling Green State University feature two of the most high-powered offenses in the country, but also two of the most talented defenses in the Mid-American Conference.

The RedHawks average 40.1 points per game, which is sixth best in the nation, while Bowling Green’s 36.4 points per game ranks No. 14 in the country.

The Falcons’ passing offense averages the fifth highest yards per game in the country at 327.8, while the RedHawks are a close sixth with 325.3.

Bowling Green’s offense is very balanced — the Falcons average 201.8 rushing yards per game, which ranks first in the MAC. Miami’s ground attack averages 164.9 yards.

“I think we are pretty similar team-wise,” Miami head coach Terry Hoeppner said “(We both have) a good receiving corps, a solid running back, an athletic offensive line, a very active, physical front seven and a pretty good secondary, so we probably match up pretty well.”

According to Miami defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, it is critical for Miami to stop the run. The RedHawks have been successful with that approach thus far, allowing a MAC-best 95.8 rushing yards per game and only 18.6 points per game. Miami’s defense has been challenged — it has faced a team ranked in the top 10 in passing yards per game (Akron), top 15 in scoring (Akron) and top 20 in rushing yards per game (Colorado State).

“We obviously have to shut the run down,” Narduzzi said. “If they get both (the run and the pass) going, then you can’t defend both of them at the same time. You have to shut one down and then defend the other.”

The Falcon defense is rather stingy as well, allowing only 190.8 pass yards per game and 114.6 on the ground — both rank second in the conference.

Last weekend, BG allowed Northern Illinois University’s Michael Turner only 87 yards rushing. The Huskies as a team managed only 62.

“The stuff that (BG) does is stuff that we have seen in the past, and we’re confident we can compete with that,” senior offensive lineman Jacob Bell said.

The Falcons give up a MAC-best 16 points a game, but have not faced an offense as high-powered as Miami’s. Purdue ranks 50th in both passing yards per game and points per game — tops among BG’s opponents.

“We’re going to have to control the ball and keep their offense off the field,” offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery said. “(We will do) whatever that takes — throwing, running, probably a mixture of the two to try to keep our defense off the field and try not to put them in bad situations.”

The RedHawks are using their narrow 38-30 victory at Kent State as a learning tool.

Miami fell behind the Golden Flashes 27-24 early in the fourth quarter on Oct. 25, but the defense responded with some big stops, and the offense scored twice. Hoeppner called the game a “gut check” at the post-game press conference.

“Whatever the situation is — the score of the game, the situation, the weather — you want to try to use those opportunities to become a better football team, a smarter football team,” Hoeppner said. “If we didn’t take advantage of that (situation at Kent), I think we would be remiss as coaches.”

The close call gave confidence to the players, according to sophomore Martin Nance.

“It felt good to know that we can go into a dogfight and come out on top,” he said.

Guest · Nov 4, 2003

Taking the loss tonight. Sloppy first half and I really thought Miami would win the turnover battle in the first half. We looked good up 10-0 and Miami driving in but the turnover at the end hurt.

Sorry folks...back at it soon.

sb

LSUpete · Nov 4, 2003

That selection really hurt.

Guest · Nov 4, 2003

Pete,

Hurt me more than you know. One turnover on an INT at the goal line. Another turnover driving in BG territory after a great throw and catch (the one that BG turned into the late TD). BG's TD on a 3rd and 16 after a huge delay with the clock mishap. Way too many breaks went against me in this play tonight. I expected a better first half from the Redhawks at home on national television and didn't get it. This looked good for most of the first half but most doesn't return on the investment.

I've been on plenty of good breaks this season so far...this one didn't go my way. I'm not going to chase it though tonight. Good Luck to you and sorry if I led you astray.

sb