Ohio vs Miami (OH) MAC Championship Game Prediction For 12/7/24

Two Ohio-based schools will meet in Detroit, MI on Saturday as the Ohio Bobcats face the Miami (OH) Redhawks in the 2024 MAC Championship Game. Both of these teams have lost just one time in conference play this season and will look to extend their lengthy winning streaks to claim a conference title. Ohio is a one-point favorite, while the total for the game stands at 45.5 points. Continue reading to get our college football picks for Ohio vs Miami (OH) for the MAC championship.

Ohio Looks For First MAC Title Game Triumph

The Ohio Bobcats have won five straight games heading into the MAC title game, with their last loss coming on the road against the Miami (OH) team they will face in this game. Ohio has won all five of the games during their winning streak by double-digits. Here, they will look to avenge their regular season loss to the Redhawks to claim their first MAC Championship Game victory.

Ohio has appeared in the MAC Championship Game five times previously, with the most recent of those appearances coming in 2022. But the Bobcats have yet to break through and win one of those conference title game trips, going 0-5 with a chance to win the conference crown.

If Ohio is going to win this game and claim their first MAC Championship Game victory, they are going to need to find a way to move the ball against one of the best defenses in the Group of Five. Ohio was held under 300 yards of offense in the first Ohio vs Miami (OH) matchup of the year, failing to score in the first half of that game. A better offensive start will be required for the Bobcats to have a shot here.

Can Miami (OH) Repeat As MAC Champs?

Miami (OH) lost four of their first five games to start this season, thanks in large part to a brutal non-conference schedule. But they have won seven straight games since then to end the regular season with eight total wins and a 7-1 record in the MAC. They will look to keep their hot streak going to win the MAC title for the second season in a row.

Last week, the Redhawks secured their spot in the MAC title game by winning what was essentially an elimination game against Bowling Green on the road. Miami (OH) outgained Bowling Green by over 100 yards in that matchup, something they will look to replicate in this game against their in-state rivals.

The key to victory for Miami (OH) in any game is its defense. The Redhawks rank 11th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 17.3 points per game. During their seven-game winning streak, they have allowed no more than 21 points in a game, including their 30-20 win over Ohio in mid-October. Another defensive gem from the Redhawks could give them another conference championship to celebrate on Saturday afternoon.

Ohio vs Miami (OH) Best Bet

Our best bet for Ohio vs Miami (OH) in the MAC Championship Game is for the Miami (OH) Redhawks to win in what is essentially a pick ’em game. The Redhawks are playing the best football of any team in the MAC over the last two months. We expect their defense to come to play again here and for them to improve to 2-0 against Ohio this season while winning their second MAC championship in a row.

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