Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at Akron Zips (+10, 47.5)

Bettors have two Mid-American Conference choices to pick from when it comes to Wednesday night college football betting this week, but really only one of the two games has an overly interesting storyline and that’s this matchup between Miami (Ohio) and Akron.

I’d like to say that Miami is the only team that has something to play for in this game, but that wouldn’t be totally accurate. Yes, the RedHawks still have a shot at the MAC’s East Division title if they win out and Ohio loses on Tuesday night to Temple. So their motivation could be clear. But Akron also has something to play for: To not be the only team in the country to finish winless this season. Indeed, the Zips are the only club with zip (pun intended) in the win column remaining.

It’s the second Wednesday night game in a row for Miami, which beat Bowling Green, 24-21, last week thanks to a field goal by Trevor Cook on the game’s final play. But that game showed a bit of a trend for Miami, which is 3-0 in MAC road games for the first time since 2003. In two of those three games, Miami held a lead of 10 or more points, let it get away and had to win with last-second heroics as was the case against BGSU as Miami blew a 21-7 fourth-quarter lead. The BGSU win was the first Miami victory on the game's last play since Ben Roethlisberger led the team past Akron back in 2001.

Akron would probably like to just have a lead at this point. But the Zips do enter off their best effort of the season, a 37-30 double overtime loss at Ball State on Nov. 6. Patrick Nicely’s interception in the second overtime finished off Akron, which lost its 14th straight road game. Still, it was only the second game (and first vs. an FBS foe) that didn’t end as a loss by more than a double-digit margin this year for the Zips.

This will be the first meeting between Akron and Miami since 2007, with Miami holding a 13-5-1 series lead. It’s 4-4 in Akron. Miami has won six of the past seven matchups overall. This is the first-ever midweek game held on Akron’s campus.

Miami-Ohio vs. Akron: Team Matchups

Akron is probably the worst offensive team in the country as it ranks in the bottom 20 in the nation in rushing yards, passing yards, total offense (dead last) and scoring offense (as well as scoring defense). The Zips have just a combined 17 rushing/passing touchdowns. Six of Akron's eight rushing touchdowns this season have come courtesy of senior RB Alex Allen. Five of the passing TDs have gone to senior WR Jeremy LaFrance, who returned to the lineup at Ball State (after missing two games) with two TD catches. Nicely has played in all 12 games, completing 48.7 percent of his passes for 1,360 yards.

As of this writing, RedHawks QB Zac Dysert is still considered questionable for this game. Dysert, who has thrown for 2,406 yards and is tied for 10th in the FBS with 222 completions, was hurt in the second quarter of the Bowling Green. Redshirt freshman Austin Boucher would start if Dysert, who has averaged better than 295 yards passing in his past four games, can’t go. Miami could use Dysert considering it’s second-to-last in the nation in rushing.

Miami-Ohio vs. Akron Betting Odds and Line Movement

The line opened as high as 13 at some books, according to college football odds, while the total hasn’t much moved. Approximately 70 percent of the lean is on Miami. The RedHawks are 6-4 ATS this year and 4-2 on the road. Akron is 3-7 ATS and 0-4 at home.

This and that

With a 6-4 record, Miami is now bowl eligible. It has five more victories than it recorded in all of 2009 (1-11). No other team in Division I has improved as much.

UA coach Rob Ianello and Miami coach Mike Haywood were members of Charlie Weis' staff at Notre Dame from 2005-08.

Miami is 1-9 ATS in its past 10 as a favorite of 3.5-10 points.

The ‘over’ is 12-3 in Akron’s past 15 as a home dog.

The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the past six in this series.

College Football Picks: Miami-Ohio vs. Akron Predictions

Well there’s no doubt in my mind Miami wins – but carefully monitor Dysert’s status before betting. There’s also a chance this line drops under 10, and jump on Miami if it does and Dysert plays. If he doesn’t play and this stays at 10 or rises, take Akron. Take the under regardless.