Miami (OH) vs. Ohio – “Battle of the Bricks” Betting Prediction (Nov 4, 2025)
Fans get an epic battle on Tuesday night, as The Battle of the Bricks commences when Miami Ohio (5-3) hits the road the battle arch nemesis Ohio (5-3) in a tense MAC showdown.
Ohio won easily in the MAC title game last season, and they will unsurprisingly be -146 favorites to win again. Both teams have strong standings within the MAC already, but the winner of this game will thrust themselves to the top of the conference.
Miami Ohio comes into this one with a sparkling 4-0 MAC record, potentially making them the more appealing value between the two sides. With a mild 49.5 game total and a tight 2.5-point spread, though, bettors may want to prepare for a lower scoring game that goes down to the wire.
Wondering if the RedHawks can stage the upset in Athens on Tuesday? I’ll inspect the latest odds and breakdown the key matchups before pointing you to the best bets for this game.
Game Basics & Context
- Matchup: Miami Ohio RedHawks (5-3) vs. Ohio Bobcats (5-3)
- Date & Time: Tuesday, November 4, with kickoff at 6:30 pm CT (7:30 pm ET)
- Venue: Peden Stadium in Athens, OH
- How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Team Record
- Miami Ohio is 5-3, 4-0 in the MAC.
- Ohio is 5-3, 3-1 in the MAC.
Betting Odds
Take a look at the latest Miami Ohio vs. Ohio odds, per FanDuel:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Miami Ohio | +2.5 (+100) | +120 | Over 49.5 (-115) |
Ohio | -2.5 (-122) | -142 | Under 49.5 (-105) |
Rivalry & Venue Context
This series is about as intense as it gets for conference rivalries. To say that there is history between these two Ohio colleges is an egregious understatement, as we’ve seen this matchup go down 101 times before.
It’s been a reasonably competitive series, but Miami Ohio holds the edge, 56-43-2 throughout history. They didn’t win the most recent clash, of course, as the Bobcats dominated in 2024, 38-3.
Miami Ohio won the previous two meetings, while the two sides have split (3-3) over the last six meetings. The Battle of the Bricks resulted in Ohio winning the MAC title a year ago, so the already brewing bad blood between these two programs will rise to new heights on Tuesday night.
Why This Game Matters
It’s the Battle of the Bricks. These are the two oldest universities the state of Ohio has to offer, and they’ve been dueling each other since the Silent Era. There is actually more on the line than usual, however, as these two Mid-American Conference rivals are both off to solid starts and are in contention for first place.
The winner will hold a massive edge going forward, along with bragging rights for the next year. The loser, meanwhile, goes home with their tail between their legs and may also see their shot at the MAC title – as well as a bowl game appearance – slip away.
Team Profiles
Miami Ohio RedHawks
Miami Ohio has made good on their intentions to avenge their brutal MAC title game loss, as they come in with a perfect 4-0 conference record. It wasn’t always sunshines and butterflies for the RedHawks in 2024, however, as they got off to a rough 0-3 start out of the gates.
They did battle UNLV to a tight 41-38 shootout loss in week three, however, and that offensive explosion catapulted them to a hot run. They’ve now ripped off five straight wins, exhibiting a capable offense (24.3 points per game) and an improved defense.
Armed with the nation’s 15th best sack rate and one of the better dual threat quarterbacks in DeQuan Finn, Miami Ohio has a real shot to exact revenge against their bitter rivals.
Ohio Bobcats
The last time the Bobcats saw Miami Ohio, dual-threat QB Parker Navarro was having a field day. Not much has changed, as he’s still dominating on the ground (504 rushing yards, 4 TDs), and is taking care of business through the air just as well.
Navarro is far from alone, of course, as stud running back Sieh Bangura (728 rushing yards, 9 TDs) has been tough to stop. The two combine their efforts to formulate the country’s 21st-best rushing offense, while Navarro remains more than competent (23rd in completion rate) in the passing realm.
The Bobcats don’t blow you away on offense, but they are dynamic enough to mess with just about anyone, and it’s a big reason for their success (3-1) in MAC play so far. They also have a solid defense that hasn’t allowed more than 21 points in any of their last four games.
Key Matchup Angles
Consider the following key matchups:
- Miami Ohio’s rush offense vs. Ohio’s run defense: The RedHawks put up over 150 rushing yards per game as a unit (60th). Ohio’s run defense is 60th against the run. Something has to break here, but if the RedHawks can establish their ground game, they can not only control the pace of this game – but they also can keep Ohio out of sync offensively.
- Ohio’s rush offense vs. Miami Ohio’s run defense: This is an even bigger matchup to consider, as the RedHawks have a stingier run defense (42nd), but the Bobcats are one of the nastiest, most dynamic running teams in the nation. Miami Ohio slowing that unit down could breathe more life into their own offense.
- Parker Navarro vs. Miami Ohio’s pass rush: Throw in Ohio’s o-line play here, too, as they have to contend with the RedHawks’ sick pass rush. However, it will ultimately be Navarro’s efficiency and decision-making that is tested. He’s struggled with turnovers (7 INTs), so an effective pass rush could be problematic.
Betting Insights & Trends
Miami won the most recent meeting, but Miami Ohio won the previous two. Overall, these teams have split their last six meetings.
Miami Ohio comes in on fire, having won each of their last five games. Ohio isn’t quite as hot, but they’ve secured wins in four of their last five outings.
The RedHawks have been quite good against the spread (6-2 overall), including 4-0 ATS in MAC games and 3-1 ATS as the road team.
As for Ohio, they haven’t been as reliable, going just 4-3-1 overall against the spread. They’ve also gone just 2-3 ATS when favored and 2-2 ATS inside the conference. However, the Bobcats are 3-1 ATS at home.
Best Bets & Confidence Levels
Check out the best bets for this contest:
| Bet | Recommendation | Confidence Level |
|---|---|---|
Ohio -142 | The Bobcats wiped the floor with the RedHawks the last time they saw them, and not much has changed. They still look like the more imposing team on offense, and they get to play this game in front of their home crowd. | 7/10 |
Ohio ATS -2.5 (-122) | The spread is very tight, so if you like Ohio to win, you should feel reasonably good about them to cover, too. The RedHawks didn’t come close to beating the spread last time, and I’m not sold that their defense is good enough to slow Ohio down. | 7/10 |
Over 49.5 (-115) | Neither defense is elite, as they are both allowing over 23 points per game. Both offenses are fully capable of putting up points, too. The total is relatively modest, but given the offensive talent and favorable matchups, a mild shootout (betting the Over) sounds right. | 7/10 |
- Primary Pick: Ohio ML (-146)
- Secondary Pick: Ohio ATS -2.5 (-122)
The moneyline and point spread favor Ohio at home. That makes sense, as they do look like the better team, and they have the benefit of playing a tense rivalry game in front of their home crowd. Much of the public betting has favored Ohio, but I still wouldn’t feel good about going against that logic.
Miami Ohio vs. Ohio odds can shift fast — track live line movement and secure the best spreads before kickoff. Compare updated numbers now at the top football betting sites.
Risk Factors & What Could Go Wrong
Even the best bets can fail. Here’s some reasoning for why our top picks may not pan out:
- The Battle of the Bricks: This is an incredibly storied rivalry, and both of these teams will want to win. Given their history and the small spread, an upset wouldn’t be that crazy.
- Miami Ohio’s Run D: Ohio should control this game due to a dynamic offense, but Miami Ohio does have a capable defense that ranks 15th in sack rate and does a solid job against the run. It probably won’t be good enough, but it’s always possible that it could be.
- Turnover Prone: Another big thing to consider is Parker Navarro’s turnover woes. He’s a big reason I like Ohio to win, but his team is averaging 1.3 giveaways per game and ranks 117th in interception rate.
- Poor RZ Efficiency: Lastly, Ohio doesn’t grade out as a great red-zone offense. Once inside the 20, they only score 76% of the time (112th). If that becomes a problem in this one, Miami Ohio could stay close and find a way to make us look silly.
Putting Our Pick on the Board: Here’s How It Plays Out
Final Score Prediction: Ohio 34, Miami Ohio 27
Miami Ohio has looked good enough this year for me to believe they will put up a much better fight than they did in this game in 2024. They have a capable offense, and the numbers say their defense has a chance to limit the Bobcats.
That will likely only be to a certain degree, however. Ultimately, both teams can run the ball well, and Ohio is going to set the tone and pace at home. The spread indicates a somewhat close game, but Ohio should win, and we should get enough points to hit the Over.
