Miami (OH) vs Appalachian State (2023 Cure Bowl) Prediction & Best Bets: Mountaineers Favored Over Shorthanded RedHawks

The Miami RedHawks have bucked the odds multiple times throughout this season on the way to winning the Mid-American Conference championship. Can they do so once more in the Cure Bowl against Appalachian State (3:30 pm ET, ABC)?

In their third game of the season, the RedHawks made the trek to Cincinnati and defeated the Bearcats in overtime after going into the game as a two-touchdown underdog.

Picks in this piece are courtesy of BetOnline, where you can get great odds on all 41 college football bowl games, the College Football Playoff, and FCS games.

That win was part of a six-game win streak, which ended with a home loss to Toledo in October. In that loss, Miami starting QB Brett Gabbert went down with a season-ending leg injury.

Backup Aveon Smith stepped in and helped lead the RedHawks to five consecutive wins, including a win at Ohio in his first start and a win in the rematch against Toledo in the MAC title game.

With Gabbert set to return next season, Smith elected to enter the transfer portal last week, which means that sophomore Henry Hesson, who has not thrown a pass this season, will draw the start for Miami against Appalachian State in Orlando.

So, despite winning 11 of their last 12 games since a season-opening loss at Miami (FL), the RedHawks are firm underdogs against the Mountaineers, who didn’t have a fantastic first half of the season but finished with a flourish before a Sun Belt championship game loss to Troy.

Miami (OH) vs Appalachian State Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline. If you’re interested in trying them out, we recommend checking out our BetOnline review.

Spread

• Miami (OH) +6.5 (-110)
• Appalachian State -6.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 41 (-110)
• Under 41 (-110)

Moneyline

• Miami (OH) +200
• Appalachian State -240

Miami (OH) vs Appalachian State Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Appalachian State to win

Even though Miami will be dealing with a severe lack of experience at quarterback, I’m not going to write off of their chances to win this game.

After all, the passing game was not their bread and butter after Gabbert went down. Smith completed 60 or more percent of his passes only once but was a threat with his mobility and did a solid job of limiting costly turnovers.

The RedHawks still have something to offer with the ground game in RB Rashad Amos, and he will be going up against a defense that was obliterated by Troy RB Kimani Vidal (26 carries, 233 yards, 5 TD) in the Sun Belt title game.

Speaking of defense, that is Miami’s real calling card. After allowing a dozen offensive touchdowns in their first four games, the RedHawks allowed just 11 offensive touchdowns in their next nine games. And in the five games Smith started after Gabbert’s injury, they allowed only 55 total points, an average of 11 per game, and didn’t give up more than 16 points in a game.

So, their chances here should not be written off at all. Defense and the run game can take you a long way, even if quarterback play is a concern.

Ultimately though, quarterback play is why I am rocking and rolling with Appalachian State.

Miami vs Appalachian State Picks: Appalachian State -6.5 (-110 at BetOnline – Bet These Odds & Get a 100% Bonus on Your First Cryptocurrency Deposit)

While the RedHawks are dealing with a situation that is less than ideal, the Mountaineers have no such concerns.

App State struck gold with juco transfer Joey Aguilar, who initially lost out to Ryan Burger for the starting job but was pressed into action in the season opener against Gardner-Webb when Burger suffered a finger injury.

Aguilar made the most of the opportunity and has remained in the role for the duration, and it has paid off for both he and the Mountaineers.

They started 3-4, losing to North Carolina, Wyoming, Coastal Carolina, and Old Dominion all by one score, but they won five in a row to earn a title game berth due to James Madison’s ineligibility.

Aguilar threw at least three touchdown passes in each game of that win streak and has eight games with three or more touchdown passes this season.

Also, in addition to ranking ninth in the FBS in passing yards (3,546) and tied for third in touchdown passes (33), he also enters the matchup with Miami 24th in the FBS in QBR and has completed 64.3% of his passes this season.

Appalachian State also has a productive rushing attack led by Nate Noel (4.8 yards per carry, 834 yards, 5 TD) and Kanye Roberts (5.7 yards per carry, 648 yards, 7 TD), and Aguilar has the ability to make some gains on the ground as well.

Miami’s defense did a great job of bending but not breaking against Kurtis Rourke and Dequan Finn in the wins over Ohio and Toledo, and I don’t think they will make life easy for Aguilar. But with the RedHawks’ quarterback situation in mind, I don’t think App State will need to light up the scoreboard to win and cover in this one.

Where to Bet on College Football

Most top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of college football odds throughout the season, including on the two CFP semifinal matchups between Michigan and Alabama and Washington and Texas.

In addition to being able to make weekly college football picks all the way from Week Zero to the College Football Playoff National Championship, you can also bet on Heisman Trophy odds, conference championship odds, win totals, and much more.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for college football betting. Below are some of the books that we highly recommend:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Other College Football Content

• Independence Bowl Prediction & Best Bets
• New Mexico Bowl Prediction & Best Bets
• Bowl Game Odds & Preview for Saturday, December 16
• Michigan vs Alabama Early Odds & Preview (CFP Semifinal #1 – 2024 Rose Bowl)
• Washington vs Texas Early Odds & Preview (CFP Semifinal #2 – 2024 Sugar Bowl)
• College Football Betting Guide
• College Football Picks for This Week
• This Week’s College Football Odds
• Weekly College Football Predictions, Best Bets & Analysis