Cure Bowl Game 2023: App State vs. Miami (OH) prediction, pick
College Football Bowl Season gets underway on Saturday with seven bowl games kicking off the postseason, and among those matchups includes the first-ever meeting between Miami (OH) and Appalachian State in the 2023 Cure Bowl. Both teams played for their respective conference championships as a prelude to their bowl selection, with Miami beating Toledo in an upset for the MAC title, while App State fell to Troy in the battle for the Sun Belt crown.
Cure Bowl 2023 prediction, preview
When: Sat., Dec. 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern
TV: ABC/ESPN+
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)
Miami vs. App State game odds
Line: App State -6.5
Total: 41.5 points
Moneyline: App -250 | Miami +210
FPI pick: App State 52.5% to win
What to watch for
Miami's defense. The RedHawks defense was among the most productive in the Group of Five this season. The unit ranked second in the MAC in total scoring defense, holding opponents to 16.2 points per game, surrendered just over 197 total yards on average, and built a reputation as being able to get to the quarterback, thanks especially to a strong and well-disciplined linebacker rotation.
Mountaineers can move. Appalachian State comes into bowl season equipped with one of the more efficient passing offenses in college football, ranking 24th with almost 279 passing yards per game and is top-20 with nearly 35 points per game scored on average. By spreading out the field, the Mountaineers can get around Miami's talented scrimmage defense and put their top targets in space.
RedHawks offense. Starting quarterback Aveon Smith will not play after entering the transfer portal, allowing Henry Hesson to make his first start. Expect Miami to lean on the run game, a relative strength this season with tailback Rashad Amos the team's top offensive player, rushing for 895 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023.
Cure Bowl prediction
If this comes down to a kick, that could put things in Miami's favor, as Graham Nicholson won the Lou Groza Award after making 26 of his 26 field goal attempts. And given the relative strength of the RedHawks' defense, they have the power to keep the game close.
But only if their ground game can slow things down and maintain possession, keeping the ball out of the Mountaineers' hands long enough. App State plays a brand of offense that Miami hasn't really seen this year, posting 450 yards per game, a number that would rank tops in the MAC. They won't get everything they want, especially after lead rusher Nate Noel entered the portal, but the Mountaineers should get enough.
College Football HQ picks...
- Appalachian State wins 27-20
- Covers the spread
- And hits the over
Bet on App State vs. Miami here
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