Close
Help
Settings
UAB vs. Ohio Bahamas Bowl Odds & Betting Preview

UAB vs. Ohio Bahamas Bowl Odds & Betting Preview

Written by on December 21, 2017

NCAAF News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
Two programs that finished the college football regular season with 8-4 records will travel down into the Caribbean to face off on Friday afternoon, as the Blazers of Alabama-Birmingham and the Ohio University Bobcats will square off in the Bahamas Bowl. UAB finished on a high note, winning four of five (with that lone loss coming at Florida). Ohio came in with more of a downward spiral, losing their last two games. Let’s take a look at our College Football odds prediction for this tropical tilt.

UAB vs. Ohio Bahamas Bowl Odds & Betting Preview

When: Friday, December 22, 2017, 12:30pm ET Where: Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, The Bahamas TV: ESPN Radio: 100.5 FM (UAB) / 105.5 FM (Ohio) Live Stream: WatchESPN Bahamas Bowl Odds: Ohio (-6.5), O/U 59

Weather Forecast

  • Clear: 27°C/81°F
  • Humidity: 62%
  • Precipitation: 5%
  • Wind: 7 mph E
  • Cloud Cover: 18%
  • Type of Stadium: N/A

Why should you bet on the Blazers?

UAB rides their defense to victories. Over the course of the season, they held opponents to an average of 24.3 points per game (and that includes their blowout loss to Florida). In the last game of the season, against Texas-El Paso, UAB fell behind early, 7-3, but then the Blazers ran off 25 straight points and held the Miners to that single touchdown. If that defense can bring similar focus to this bowl game, they should be able to manage the Bobcats. On offense, UAB will face a challenge running the ball against Ohio. However, the Bobcats do have a fairly weak passing defense, and that’s where the Blazers will have to make their mark. Quarterback A.J. Erdely has had a solid season for UAB, throwing for 2,077 yards and 16 touchdowns against just four interceptions, completing almost 62 percent of his passes. His favorite target is Andre Wilson — but Wilson has gone through a three-game drought without any touchdowns. UAB needs to find him down the field if they want to move the ball effectively against the Bobcats.

Why should you put your money on the Bobcats?

Ohio’s losses at the end of the season came at Akron (who just got dismantled by 47 points by FAU in the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl) and at Buffalo. These losses kept the Bobcats out of the MAC championship game. In those defeats, Ohio gave up 68 combined points. The defense needs to stiffen up against the pass and the run against UAB if Ohio is going to get back in the win column. On the offensive side of things, quarterback Nathan Rourke had a solid game, throwing 15 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He also did a lot of damage with his legs, running for 877 yards and 21 more touchdowns. Tailback A.J. Ouellette had 985 yards in the regular season but remains questionable for the Bahamas Bowl with a shoulder injury. Dorian Brown had 605 yards on the season but is also questionable with a hip injury. If one of those two tailbacks can play, then the Bobcats will be able to offer a lot more balance on offense. You’ll want to check the latest injury updates before locking in your wagers on this game.

Bahamas Bowl Betting Trends

  • UAB is 10-3-1 ATS in the last 14 games
  • UAB is 4-1 SU in the last 5 games
  • The total went UNDER in 7 of Alabama-Birmingham’s last 8 games
  • Ohio is 10-4 ATS in the last 14 games
  • Ohio is 7-3 SU in the last 10 games
  • The total went OVER in 9 of Ohio’s last 13 games

Expert Pick and Final Prediction

UAB has beaten the spread in each of their last five games against teams with a winning record and in seven of their last ten games overall. Ohio has a lot of offensive contributors that have some injuries (wideout Brendan Cope is also questionable with an injured ankle). So the lack of depth could hamper Ohio. Without all of these injuries, I might be tempted to take Ohio because of their solid play earlier in the season in MAC play. There’s also the Bahamas factor — this game is played in the early afternoon after a night in a tropical vacation spot. It’s hard to imagine the teams starting with 100% focus right away. I see UAB taking control of this game as time goes on, though, and winning by a final of 27-20.
Help Center