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Miami (OH) vs. UAB Odds, Picks, Predictions: Bowl Season Kicks Off with Bahamas Bowl

Mike Spector

Last Updated: December 16, 2022 3:10 AM EST • 2 min 15 sec read.

Aveon Smith of the Miami (OH) RedHawks throws a pass while Deshawn Pace of the Cincinnati Bearcats defends at Paycor Stadium on Sept. 17, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Aveon Smith of the Miami (OH) RedHawks throws a pass while Deshawn Pace of the Cincinnati Bearcats defends at Paycor Stadium on Sept. 17, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images via AFP.

The Bahamas Bowl kicks off the 2022 college football bowl season Friday morning with a matchup between Miami (OH) and UAB. Check out our top Miami (OH)-UAB college football picks below.

UAB was in danger of not being bowl eligible after sitting 4-5 through nine games. However,  after the Blazers won against North Texas and Louisiana Tech, balancing an expected season ending loss at LSU, finished 6-6. This is UAB’s second appearance in the Bahamas Bowl, losing 41-6 to Ohio in 2017.

To be bowl eligible, the RedHawks earned an 18-17 victory over Ball State in the season finale. Miami (OH) had loftier ambitions than a Bahamas Bowl after garnering 20 of 24 first-place votes to win the MAC East Division in the preseason media poll. Nonetheless, the Hawks hope to finish 7-6 for the second consecutive year and get their second straight bowl victory under head coach Chuck Martin.  

Here is our best Miami (OH) vs. UAB college football pick (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Check out our College Football best bets.

Miami (OH) vs. UAB Game Info

  • Date: Friday, Dec. 16, 11:30 a.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN
  • Location: Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, NP
  • Weather: 81 degrees, 38% chance of precipitation, 13-mph SSW wind

Miami (OH) vs. UAB Odds

Miami (OH) vs. UAB Odds Analysis

The consensus spread opened at -11 in favor of UAB but has dropped to -10 as of Friday morning. The Blazers are backed by 57% of the tickets and 55% of the cash in the market.

Bettors have preferred the Over and that has helped push the opening total of 44 up to 45.5 as of the morning of gameday. The Over has drawn 79% of the cash and tickets.

Miami (OH) vs. UAB Pick

Miami (OH) +11 ★★★

Miami is 5-3 with Aveon Smith as starting quarterback after he took over for an injured Brett Gabbert earlier this season. Since Smith completed fewer than 48% of his passes in back-to-back games (both close victories), the RedHawks will need to establish a run attack. 

The RedHawks played against Ball State ranked 128th in Rushing Success Rate and 115th in Rushing PPA, but still won five of six matchups when rushing for 120 or more yards and lost five of six when they didn't. The RedHawks should find ground success against a Blazers defense that held opponents under 120 rushing yards just four times this year.

Motivation is a big factor in bowl games, when teams have weeks to prepare. UAB's players were outspoken about their displeasure with hiring Trent Dilfer as next head coach instead of keeping interim coach Bryant Vincent. UAB player dissatisfaction could be a factor in this contest. 

Miami covered four consecutive bowl games and seven straight neutral site games, while UAB is just 1-6 ATS in its last seven overall.

Miami (OH) vs. UAB Best Odds

DraftKings (-105)

DraftKings+11+11 -105, -11 -115
FanDuel+10.5+10.5 -110, -10.5 -110
BetMGM+10.5+10.5 -110, -10.5 -110
Caesars+11+11 -110, -11 -110
PointsBet+11+11 -110, -11 -110

It's a no-brainer for Miami (OH) backers to head to DraftKings, who not only offer the best number (+11) but at minimal juice (-105). Considering the number hasn't moved in the RedHawks’ favor all week, it's wise to lock in these prices early, especially if the -105 reverts back to -110.

Here are our Best College Football Betting Sites:

* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Related Pages

U.S. Sports Betting | Best U.S. Sportsbook Promos

Written By:
Mike Spector
I have been in the sports writing industry for over three years, working for sites like BettingPros/FantasyPros, Oddschecker, and Sportsbook Review. In my first year writing for BettingPros, I finished with the #2 overall record in their annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an over/under and moneyline perspective. I am an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, and all college sports. In my opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and I am especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. I am a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." Follow me on Twitter for my best bets and commentary to go along with the wagers.