North Texas vs Miami-Ohio Odds, Picks and Preview – Frisco Football Classic

• Miami (OH) is a 2.5-point favorite over North Texas in the inaugural Frisco Football Classic on Thursday, December 23rd
•  The RedHawks are one win away from recording a fourth straight .500 or better season, while the Mean Green is one of three teams since 1936 to start 1-6 and get to six wins
• See the odds, spread and pick for the Frisco Football Classic below

The Miami (OH) RedHawks (6-6, 5-3 MAC) – boasting an offense that averages 425.6 yards and 29.1 points per game – take on the North Texas Mean Green (6-6, 5-3 C-USA) on Thursday in the Lone Star State. Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm ET at Toyota Stadium on ESPN.

Chuck Martin’s team won four of its last six games. averaging better than 37 points per game. If not for a 48-47 overtime loss to Kent State in the regular-season finale, the RedHawks would have played in the conference title game. Meantime, Seth Littrell’s squad is riding a five-game win streak into Frisco that includes a 45-23 rout over a 22nd-ranked UTSA unit that spoiled the Roadrunners’ prospects at an undefeated season.

Alas, the RedHawks are field-goal favorites against a Mean Green crew that owns the country’s third-ranked rushing attack.

North Texas vs Miami-Ohio Odds

Odds as of  December 23rd at DraftKings

RedHawks Too One-Dimensional?

Miami (OH) quarterback Brett Gabbert (yes, he’s Blaine’s younger brother) is in his third season at the helm of the RedHawks’ offense and made massive strides in 2021. His stats over the course of the season are solid (2,418 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, 6 interceptions), but the sophomore exploded in November.

He averaged 369 passing yards and four passing touchdowns per an outing over the final month of the regular season. Miami went 2-2 over the final four-game stretch.

QB Brett Gabbert of @MiamiRedHawks: Led MAC in pass efficiency, in passing TDs (despite playing only 9 gms.) & in pass yards per game, with a 4:1 (24:6) INT-to-TD ratio. Voted THIRD-team All-MAC.

— Will Roleson (@wroleson) December 1, 2021

Gabbert’s go-to guy is the most productive receiver in the MAC, Jack Sorenson. The redshirt senior ranks eighth in the FBS in receiving yardage with 1,290 and is tied for 20th overall with 10 receiving touchdowns. The 6-foot, 195-pounder had a 14-catch, 283-yard performance against Ohio in a 35-33 loss. He’ll want to go out in style. But considering North Texas has only allowed 230.0 yards per game through the air in 2021, that may be a tall order.

Plus, Mean Green defensive end Grayson Murphy is a force. He led North Texas with 7.5 sacks and could give Gabbert fits.

Rushing Attack Powers North Texas

Senior tailback DeAndre Torrey is the focal point of North Texas attack with 1,215 rushing yards in 2021 — the 20th most in the FBS. But the Mean Green have plenty of depth behind Torrey to keep their bell cow fresh and versatile.

UPDATE: As of 2:00pm EST on game day, Torrey has been ruled out for UNT.

DeAndre Torrey to the house AGAIN! @MeanGreenFB pic.twitter.com/B3IY5z0AcS

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) October 16, 2021

Ikaika Ragsdale, Ayo Adeyi and Isaiah Johnson all averaged at least 8.4 carries per game and combined for 1,328 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Even quarterback Austin Aune displays his mobility from time to time with 301 yards and four touchdowns this season. Since North Texas is tied for 15th in the FBS in fewest sacks allowed, Aune often experiences clean pockets and gains more time to utilize his creativity for playmaking.

When North Texas does air it out, wide receiver Roderic Burns is one to watch. He leads the team with 54 grabs for 715 yards and four trips to pay dirt, while tight end Jason Pirtle added 38 catches for 351 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Miami has given up an average of 150.3 yards per game on the ground, which puts the RedHawks at No. 64 in rush defense.

Frisco Football Classic Best Bet

This game will come down to whichever defense is best able to slow down the opposition’s strength. With the impressive win over UTSA – and the relative close proximity to home for North Texas – look for the Mean Green to have just enough to claim this inaugural Frisco Football Challenge win.

Miami is currently riding an inauspicious 31-game losing streak to non-conference FBS opponents, with the last win coming against Army in 2011.

I love Gabbert’s evolution and the “Sorenson Riding Off Into the Sunset” storyline – but the Mean Green’s ability to run the ball and control clock – has me liking the underdog in this spot.

• Pick: North Texas +2.5 (-110)