Ohio Bobcats vs. Wyoming Cowboys December 30 Betting Preview

After a two-year absence, Ohio returned to bowl eligibility in a big way. The Bobcats have put up a 9-3 record on their way to a MAC East title. Ohio, which made a bowl game in five straight years from 2015 to 2019, is on a three-game winning streak in bowl appearances.

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Wyoming enters the game having made a bowl game for the third straight season. The Cowboys have also won their past three bowl appearances. Wyoming had a solid season in the Mountain West and has piled up a 7-5 overall record.

Bobcats Look To Cap Turnaround Season With Victory

Ohio coach Tim Albin made major progress from Year 1 to Year 2 of his tenure. The Bobcats, who went 3-9 in his first season, rallied behind quarterback Kurtis Rourke. Rourke finished 21st nationally in passing by throwing for 3,256 yards. 

He also threw 25 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Ohio also had plenty of playmakers in the running game. Sieh Bangura leads the team with 940 yards on 197 carries and has scored 12 touchdowns. 

The Bobcats’ receiving corps is balanced. Ohio has four players who have 500 or more receiving yards. The Bobcats’ defense has had its share of issues. Ohio allows its opponents to pass for 293.7 yards per game, which ranks 130th nationally. The Bobcats also allow 437.4 yards per game, which ranks 113th nationally.

Ohio is 9-4 against the spread this season. The total has seen the over go 7-5-1 in the Bobcats’ games this season.

Wyoming Struggled Down The Stretch

The Cowboys didn’t lose the season on a good stretch of losses to the Mountain West Conference’s top two teams, Boise State and Fresno State, but signs of struggles started in the weeks before those games. Wyoming only beat Colorado State by one point and Hawaii by a touchdown.

Neither the Rainbow Warriors nor the Rams were bowl-eligible teams. Wyoming had its fair share of struggles in the passing game. Andrew Peasley has passed for 1,388 yards but has only thrown nine touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions. The Cowboys have been able to lean on running back Titus Swen.

Swen has rushed for 1,039 yards with eight touchdowns and averages 5.0 yards per carry. Wyoming is 6-6 against the spread and has seen the total go under in seven of their 12 games.

Cowboys vs. Bobcats Odds

People don’t seem to think Ohio and Wyoming are that far apart. The Bobcats are 2.5-point favorites and are (-141) on the moneyline. The Cowboys are (+116) on the moneyline. The over/under is set at 41 points.

Wyoming is a strong defensive team but is pedestrian on offense. The Bobcats have struggled to stop opposing offenses, especially through the air. However, the Cowboys don’t have the passing game to stretch opposing defenses. Both teams, having won three straight bowl games, show these programs are motivated to win late in the year.

The Bobcats will find a way to make sure their win streak keeps going.