Russell Athletic Bowl Betting: West Virginia vs. Miami Odds, Analysis and Pick

It's almost hard to believe but the Miami Hurricanes are 0-6 both straight up and against the spread in their last six bowl games. Meanwhile, the West Virginia Mountaineers haven't been much better as of late, going 2-4 SU and 1-5 ATS over their previous six bowl games. Former Big East conference rivals collide when streaky Miami meets the Mountaineers in the Russell Athletic Bowl on December 28 in Orlando.

Russell Athletic Bowl point spread: The Hurricanes opened as 1.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via OddsShark computer: 35.6-33.6 Mountaineers (College football picks on every game)

Why the West Virginia Mountaineers can cover the spread

WVU started this season 6-0, piling up some nice offensive numbers in the process. A 2-2 stretch, with losses to the two best teams in the Big 12, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, then knocked the Mountaineers out of contention for the conference title. But they regrouped to win their final two games, over Iowa State and Baylor, to reach double digits in victories for the first time in five seasons.

West Virginia trailed the Bears in that regular-season finale, 14-3, but used a 21-0 run to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish. On the day the Mountaineers outrushed Baylor by 115 yards, so they've now outgained seven of their last nine opponents and outrushed eight of their last nine foes.

Why the Miami Hurricanes can cover the spread

The Hurricanes ran hot and cold this season, their first under new coach Mark Richt. They started 4-0, then lost four in a row, but finished with four straight wins and covers, including a 40-21 decision over Duke in the finale. Miami trailed the Blue Devils 14-10 early in the second quarter, then scored 30 unanswered points on its way to the win and the cover as a 16-point favorite.

On the day, the Hurricanes outgained Duke by 173 yards and outrushed the Devils by 93 yards. So they've now outgained and outrushed each of their last four foes.

Miami is also 8-2 ATS this season when favored on the betting line.

Smart pick

As the spread on this game indicates, these two teams are evenly matched. West Virginia is more explosive on offense, but Miami owns the better defense. And for matchups like this, the better defense is usually the better wager. The smart money here at online gambling sites rides the Hurricanes.

Betting trends

Miami is 1-5 ATS in its last six games against the Big 12.

The total has gone under in six of Miami's last seven games in December.

West Virginia is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games in the postseason.

All college football lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.