Buffalo vs Ohio Odds, Picks, Predictions (11/1/22)

Midweek MACtion gets started this week with Buffalo visiting Ohio in a matchup that’ll help determine the MAC pecking order as the season comes into the homestretch. This should be an interesting matchup for the first MACtion game this season. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Buffalo vs. Ohio Odds

Buffalo is a 3-point road favorite and is also at -150 on the money line. The over/under is also at 58.5. Buffalo being favored here makes sense because they’ve been the more consistent team in the MAC this year with zero losses, compared to Ohio’s one. It does jump out though because Ohio is the home team here. The over/under being at 58.5 also makes sense because both teams average over 30 points a game, so oddsmakers are banking on a potential shootout here too.

Buffalo vs. Ohio Prediction & Pick

The Pick: Buffalo -3

This is a great matchup to get midweek MACtion started for the first time this season. This should be a very entertaining game too. However, Buffalo is the better team and the more consistent team too. They are undefeated in league play, and the difference has been their defense. They are giving up 25 points and 392 total yards a game, and while these numbers aren’t super impressive they are getting the job done when needed. The Buffalo offense has been very efficient and balanced on the year too.

Ohio, on the other hand, has had a lot defensive issues all year. They have a very good offense though and are averaging 32 points and 427 total yards a game on offense. They are lead by their passing game with Kurtis Rourke leading the way on that end. The home field advantage is a factor for Ohio, especially since midweek MACtion is starting so there’s definitely going to be something to the crowd here. Expect a fun and high-scoring game here. This game will be about who can get a stop first and that’s why I like Buffalo. The Bulls are the better team because they can play defense, even against a team with an electric offense like Ohio, so take Buffalo and the spread here.

Buffalo vs. Ohio Key Matchups

Can Ohio contain Cole Snyder and the Buffalo passing attack? Can Buffalo slow down Kurtis Rourke and the Ohio passing offense?

Cole Snyder vs the Ohio Secondary

Cole Snyder’s been decent this year for Buffalo as the quarterback. He has 1,907 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 60.4% completion percentage. His best game against an FBS opponent was against Eastern Michigan when he threw for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and had a 69% completion percentage. He hasn’t been asked to do a ton but he has the ability to take advantage of the Ohio passing defense.

Ohio is giving up 335 passing yards a game, so if Snyder can take advantage of that then it could be a long day for Ohio. Snyder has been very good and solid for Buffalo, but this matchup sets up well for him to have a good game.

 Kurtis Rourke vs the Buffalo Secondary

Kurtis Rourke has been the architect for a very good Ohio offense this year. He has 2,408 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, and also a 69% completion percentage. His best game was when he threw for 537 yards against an FCS opponent, but then he also threw for 427 yards, three touchdowns, and also an 89% completion percentage. Buffalo’s passing defense has been decent by giving up 220 passing yards a game.

Rourke presents a big challenge for the Bulls and one they haven’t seen since Grayson McCall for Coastal Carolina and then also even Taulia Tagovailoa in their Week 1 game against Maryland. Rourke is Ohio’s key in this game, so if Buffalo can slow him down then it could be a long day for the Bobcats.