West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen (Getty)
Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. Eastern the West Virginia Mountaineers (10-2) face the Miami Hurricanes (8-4) in the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Florida. According to OddsShark most sports books list the Hurricanes as a three-point favorite, with the over-under being set at either 58.5 or 59 points depending upon the sports book.
Against the spread this season the Mountaineers are 5-7, while Miami has a much better record of 8-4. ATS, West Virginia has alternated losses and wins in last five games, most recently failing to cover a 17.5-point spread against Baylor in their regular season finale. As for Miami, the Hurricanes have won their last four games against the spread.
The “under” has hit in seven of West Virginia’s 12 games this season, with that being the case in six of Miami’s 12 games.
The OddsShark computer projects the score to be 35.6-33.6 in favor of West Virginia. On Monday it was announced that Miami suspended seven players for the game, most notably defensive lineman Gerald Willis and safety Cedric Wright. The Hurricanes still have most of their prolific offensive weapons, led by quarterback Brad Kaaya who’s the program’s all-time leading passer.
While Miami hasn’t won a bowl game since 2006, West Virginia’s win over Arizona State in last year’s Cactus Bowl ended a two-game bowl losing streak for the Mountaineers.
Prediction: West Virginia 31-27, so take the Mountaineers +3 and the under.