Miami Ohio 2009 Football Predictions

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miami-ohio-6509The Miami Ohio RedHawks are all set to begin their rebuilding process in 2009 under first year head man Mike Haywood following a 2-10 season which saw them go just 1-7 in MAC play. It’s likely to get worse before it gets better as the RedHawks have scheduled seven games with teams that played in bowl games last season. Bet on NCAA football this fall at Bookmaker!

Offense – New head coach Mike Haywood is all about playing physical football. He has been quoted saying that “football games are won in the trenches.” Miami’s transition to becoming a smashmouth football team is already underway as it hit the recruiting trail hard looking for offensive lineman and also added a blocking fullback. Some of the returning players may not even know what a fullback is since the program hasn’t even bothered listing players as such since 2002. Wisconsin transfer, Quincy Landingham is all set to be the RedHawks’ workhorse at the tailback position with Thomas Merriweather and Andre Bratton also expected to get some totes. While the hard nosed coach has informed his team that everyone is on equal ground and must earn their spot, fifth year senior Daniel Raudabaugh will likely end up as the starting QB. He has a big edge in terms of experience and that could prove critical on a team transitioning to a new offensive scheme. Clay Benton, Zac Dysert, Mike Scherpenberg, and Austin Boucher are all very talented young passers, but they will have to play exceptionally well to overtake the senior. I expect Miami to try to control the ball and the clock with an emphasis on not turning it over under Haywood. It’s not fan-friendly football, but it should keep the RedHawks a lot more competitive.

Defense – Defensive coordinator Carl Reese is back on the sidelines after a five year retirement, but year one figures to be a trying one. Not only will he be trying to figure out how to stop the prolific spread offenses in the league, but he will be doing so without the top four tacklers from the 2008 team, who were lost to graduation. Reese and the coaching staff is hoping that its remaining experience on the defensive line and in the secondary can help atone for the key losses at the linebacker spot. Three of the top four tacklers last season were linebackers and the other one was strong safety Robbie Wilson, who made 37 straight starts for the RedHawks. These losses put a lot of pressure on senior outside linebacker Caleb Bostic, who is the top returning tackler with 40 last season. The RedHawks were the 101th ranked scoring defense in the country in 2008, allowing 32.7 points per game, and they were particularly hurt by the run. Teams averaged 208.3 yards per game against Miami Ohio last season (106th in the nation). Unfortunately, I don’t expect to see these numbers improve in 2009 with all the key players that were lost.

Prediction: 7th MAC East – Much the same as the script reads for the Eastern Michigan Eagles of the MAC West – new coach, new system, and weak defense likely means a last place finish for the RedHawks in 2009.

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About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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