The MAC will get the spotlight this week in college football bowl games, with five of their teams playing, including the Ohio Bobcats who host the San Diego State Aztecs on Wednesday night in the Frisco Bowl on ESPN. The Bobcats finished in a tie for second in the East this season and come into this game at 8-4 overall. The Aztecs are 7-5 and finished a disappointing fourth in the West division of the Mountain West Conference. Let’s look at this game and live betting at BookMaker.eu.
This contest will take place on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas
NCAA Football Betting at BookMaker.eu
Ohio -3 (even), O/U 54
Odds Analysis
The Bobcats opened as 3.5-point favorites but that number has dropped to 3 and there are some 2.5 numbers out there. The money line has come down from Ohio -165 to -140.
These teams finished the season going in opposite directions. The Aztecs lost three of their last four games and couldn’t even beat Hawaii in their regular season finale at home. Ohio won five of their last six games, including dominating wins over Buffalo and Akron.
The Aztecs and Bobcats are coached by two of the oldest coaches in the country, as Ohio head coach Frank Solich is 74, while San Diego State’s Rocky Long is 69. "I don't know if it's old-school football, but the two coaches are old," Long said in a press conference. “We're in the top three, so the two of us coaching in the same bowl is probably going to set a record for total age. That's OK since I'm the younger one of the two."
If you like running and defense then this is the game for you. Ohio is 8th in the country in rushing at 262.2 yards per game. The San Diego State defense was fourth in the country in rush defense, allowing just 94.5 yards per game. San Diego State didn’t score more than 31 points in a game all season. The Aztecs didn’t have quarterback Christian Chapman for six games and running back Juwan Washington missed four games. Both players are back in the lineup now, although Chapman split time with Ryan Agnew against Hawaii.
Ohio is led by running back A.J. Ouelette who was the MAC Player of the Year. He rushed for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ohio also has Maleek Irons who rushed for 831 yards and quarterback Nathan Rourke had 816 yards.
Key Stats
The Aztecs are 3-7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Aztecs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games in December. The Aztecs are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss. The Aztecs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games. The Aztecs are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
The Bobcats are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in December. The Bobcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 bowl games. The Bobcats are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 non-conference games. The Bobcats are 35-15-1 ATS in their last 51 games on grass.
Looking at the total, the Over is 4-0 in the Bobcats last 4 non-conference games. The Under is 9-4-1 in the Bobcats last 14 neutral site games.
Live Betting Preview
I lean a little bit to Ohio simply because San Diego State comes in playing so poorly, but I think the better option in this game is the total. Neither of these teams is potent on offense and both are solid on defense. It also helps that they both like to run the ball and take time off the clock. I will go under the total in this contest and look for some chances to take the under in live betting.
NCAA Football Odds: Ohio 24, San Diego State 20
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