Miami (Ohio) is in a familiar game against an unfamiliar opponent this bowl season. The RedHawks return to the Arizona Bowl for the second year in a row, where they will face Fresno State for the first time.
The Bulldogs (8-4) are making their fifth consecutive appearance in a bowl game under a fourth different coach as Matt Entz’s success continued in his first season in charge at the FBS level. Miami (7-6) is also making a fifth straight trip to a bowl under coach Chuck Martin. The RedHawks returned to the MAC Championship Game this season, but they lost again.
Miami weathered two midseason quarterback changes, from Dequan Finn to Henry Hesson and then to Thomas Gotkowski. Martin’s group made its hay on defense and still kept its head above water on the offensive side despite the turnover.
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Fresno State also made an in-season change under center as E.J. Warner, the son of Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, was benched for Carson Conklin. Warner later regained the starting job and is expected to lead the team in his first postseason appearance.
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl: Miami (Ohio) vs. Fresno State Odds, Details
Location: Arizona Stadium in Tucson, ArizonaKickoff: Saturday, Dec. 27 at 4:30 p.m. ETTV: The CWSpread: Fresno State -5.5Over/Under: 42.5Announcers: Thom Brennaman, Will Blackmon
Miami (Ohio) vs. Fresno State: Keys to Victory
Why Miami (Ohio) Will Win
Two of the RedHawks’ best offensive showings came in the games in which Gotkowski saw the most action. Despite his struggles against Western Michigan in the MAC title game, Gotkowski flashed against Buffalo and Ball State. The freshman’s accuracy still leaves something to be desired, but he demonstrated that he was capable of hitting big plays and making plays with his legs, too…