2013 Miami Ohio
College Football
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Schedule and Odds
The Redhawks will bring a different brand of football this year with Zac Dysert gone, their best passer in school history. He threw for almost 300 yards per Game last year, yet they were one of the worst rushing teams in the nation. The defense also remains a large problem after allowing close to 35 points per Game. After a couple Four-win seasons, it’s going to take a lot for this squad to improve that total.
Austin Boucher comes in at quarterback where he hasn’t really played since his freshman year when he helped the team win the MAC title Game. Nevertheless, the reports were good from spring camp so it shouldn’t be too big of a drop-off. To further some bad news, one of Miami’s top receivers ever, Nick Harwell, ran into some problems and eventually transferred to Kansas in May. Dawan SCott steps into the top spot after going for 851 yards and seven TDs last year. The running Game doesn’t have much experience as Dysert passed a ton in his career. Last year’s leading rusher returns in Jamire Westbrook who finished with just 92 carries, 361 yards and two touchdowns. He’s complemented by Spencer Treadwell who had 65 carries last season. The line returns some experience and is likely the strongest part of this unit.
The defense didn’t see much improvement last year even though they made some coaching changes. Their goal is to stop the run this year after giving up 241 yards per Game on the ground in 2012. With only five returning starters, this season looks to be another struggle. The line should be decent led by three starters, but the heart of this squad is senior Chris Wade at linebacker. He led the team with 128 tackles last year.
2013 Miami Ohio Football Schedule
Aug. 31 at Marshall
Sept. 7 at Kentucky
Sept. 21 vs. Cincinnati
Sept. 28 at Illinois
Oct. 5 vs. Central Michigan
Oct. 12 at Massachusetts
Oct. 19 vs. Akron
Oct. 26 at Ohio
Nov. 5 vs. Bowling Green
Nov. 13 at Kent State
Nov. 19 vs. Buffalo
Nov. 29 at Ball State
The Redhawks will get three of their Four non-Conference Games on the road which doesn’t help matters. Unless Boucher takes the starting gig in stride, those could easily be Four straight losses. Miami finished with three wins in MAC play last year and will have to match those numbers early in the year.
Miami’s first three MAC Games come against Central Michigan, UMass and Akron, three of the worst teams in the conference. If they don’t come out of there with three wins, it’s a wonder where another MAC win will come from. In their final five Games, the easiest of their Games are against Bowling Green and Buffalo at home, but have even tougher teams to face on the road.
It looks like another normal Four-win season for Miami unless something changes drastically. Changing QBs and losing a top receiver won’t help at all. The Redhawks will be fighting to not finish last in the MAC East.