Cure Bowl – RedHawks vs Mountaineers Free Picks
The Miami vs App State Cure Bowl Odds Have Moved In Favor of Appalachian State
The Miami Ohio RedHawks will take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl.
Miami Ohio already has 11 wins on the season after earning the MAC Championship during Championship Week a couple of weeks ago. Meanwhile, Appalachian State finished the regular season with only eight wins in the Sun Belt and lost to the Troy Trojans in the Sun Belt Championship.
When this game was announced on Sunday, Appalachian State opened as a 4-point favorite at -115. Currently, the Mountaineers jumped up to -6 (-110). The total has also dropped significantly from 48.5 at open to 47.
Finally, the moneyline has gone from -166 at open to -225 for Appalachian State.
This is mainly due to Miami Ohio’s quarterback in the transfer portal. Former starter Brett Gabbert is already out for the year. However, the current starter, who took the RedHawks to a MAC Championship, has entered the transfer portal.
It’s likely that sophomore Henry Hesson, who has thrown only five passes in his collegiate career, will get the start at quarterback.
Meanwhile, Appalachian State hasn’t lost any significant talent to the portal.
Let’s chat about the Miami vs App State Cure Bowl odds below.
Cure Bowl
RedHawks vs Mountaineers 
Day/Time:
Location: FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
Streaming: ABC
Aveon Smith Entered The Transfer Portal
Aveon Smith has two more years of eligibility in college football.
Despite quarterbacking the RedHawks to a MAC Championship, Smith has decided to enter the transfer portal as a grad transfer.
Smith understood that former starter Brett Gabbert would return for the RedHawks next season. Smith would’ve been pushed back to the sideline if he stayed as a backup quarterback.
After this year’s play, Smith proved he’s no longer a backup. In the MAC Championship, Smith rushed for 99 yards on 21 attempts. He also completed a 40-yard pass despite only going 6-for-16 from the field.
Smith will need to fix his accuracy. But coaches love mobile quarterbacks who are duel threat with experience. He’ll land on his feet somewhere. However, this will hurt Miami Ohio’s chances in their college bowl game.
Henry Hesson will get the start without Gabbert (due to injury) and Smith. He’s got almost no experience in college football.
Appalachian State Has Three Players In The Portal
The Mountaineers didn’t lose their quarterback. However, their top running back has gone into the portal.
Nate Noel was one of three college football players who have elected to leave Appalachian State. Noel rushed 173 times this season for 834 yards. He averaged 4.8 yards a carry and added five touchdowns.
The running back position is typically easy to replace. But he as a major portion of the Mountaineers‘ offense.
Appalachian State also lost WR Dashaun Davis and edge rusher Donovan Spellman to the portal.
No Quarterback, Big Problem!
The Miami Ohio RedHawks got really good play out of Brett Gabbert earlier this year. However, when Gabbert got hurt, the RedHawks elected to start Aveon Smith at quarterback.
His play wasn’t elite when it came to throwing the football. However, he was mobile and able to make plays with his feet. That helped him stand out for the RedHawks.
Henry Hesson has some wheels. But he’s not Aveon Smith. He’s a worse runner than Smith and certainly not a good enough passer compared to Gabbert.
His only reps came against Robert Morris and Ball State last season. He combined for two completions on five targets and added 17 yards on two rushes.
Luckily, he’s been practicing as the No. 1 quarterback leading up to this NCAAF game. But with no game experience this season, it isn’t easy to back Hesson against an Appalachian State secondary that has elite.
The Mountaineers have allowed only 194.92 yards per game in the air this season. Therefore, the Red Hawks will look to run the ball a lot.
Miami Ohio earned 156.15 yards per game on the ground behind Rashad Amos. He scored 12 touchdowns and ran for 895 yards this season. But the run game won’t dominate if the RedHawks can’t throw the ball.
On the other hand, the Mountaineers won’t struggle throwing it. Joey Aguilar threw 33 touchdowns with 3,546 yards for Appalachian State this season. Miami Ohio also has a solid secondary and a ridiculous defense overall. But it’s much easier to trust Aguilar than Hesson.
The college football bowl schedule is about to go bonkers on Saturday. The NCAAF odds are all over the place, with different NCAAF news every hour.
After looking through the Miami vs App State Cure Bowl odds, we’ll back Appalachian State at -6 (-110). The Mountaineers are also a solid parlay piece at -225, and the Under 47 makes the most sense with Miami Ohio’s quarterback position in question.
For NCAAF scores, college football standings, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
