Miami of Ohio fell back after taking home the MAC Title in 2010. They stumbled to a nasty 4-8 record last year and they went 3-5 in conference games. They lost their final three contests of the season by a sum of 13 points versus excellent teams. Their disheartening finish definitely failed to do first-year coach Don Treadwell any favours as he presently has plenty of pressure to provide proof that last season's win total was an abnormality.
Treadwell and the players are prepared to redeem themselves this year though, as they have one of the most experienced squads in the league. Miami has 16 starters and 49 returning lettermen this season.
Offense
Miami put up 21.3 points and 373 total yards/game last season. Their above average yardage total was nullified last year due to a turnover differential that was -4 for the year. With 9 returning starters on offense, they've an glorious possibility of becoming one of the greatest units in the conference.
Senior QB Zac Dysert is back after completing 65.8% of his passes for 3,513 yards with 23 scores and 11 picks last year. Dysert could make history this season as he only needs 2,329 yards to pass Ben Roethlisberger's team record for passing yards in a career. He'll very definitely attain that feat provided he stays healthy.
The Redhawks only ran for a pathetic 74 rushing yards/game and 2.4/carry last year. Their top 2 rushers were Erik Finklea and Justin Semmes. Both Semmes and Finklea are back this year and Semmes has a chance to actually produce as he's anticipated to be completely healthy and be their featured back this year.
The receiving group welcomes back first-team All-MAC WR Nick Harwell, who is debatably the best player at his position in the entire conference. The Redhawks do lose Chris Givens, but they bring back sophomore WR Dawan Scott and senior WR Andy Cruse. This will be one of the league's best groups.
Miami was 119 in the FBS in sacks permitted with 47 last season. With four starters and 88 career starts coming back along the offensive line, this unit should be much improved. But they do lose their top guy in second-team All-MAC RG Brandon Brooks, who left for the pros. They do have returning starters senior C Joseph Williams, sophomore LG Marcus Matthews, sophomore RT Zach Lewis and senior LT Brad Bednar to rely on.
Defense
The Redhawks defense was the high point of their season as they allowed just 22.9 points and 364 total yards/game last year. With seven returning starters in this side of the ball, they've an excellent opportunity to match last year's numbers. They lose their top 3 tacklers, though.
The Redhawks are placed to post their best stats against the run with a vet defensive line that returns three starters. These three starters are senior DE Jason Semmes, senior DT Austin Brown and senior DT Mike Johns. Junior DE West Williams also is back after taking a medical redshirt last year.
The linebacker unit is where they have their biggest problem moving forward as they lose their 2 and 3 tacklers in Jemell Wedge and Ryan Kennedy. Senior Pat HInkel moves from SS to SLB to help fill one of the holes. Also returning is senior MLB Evan Harris and senior WLB Jaytee Swanson.
The Redhawks were phenomenal against the pass last year as they allowed 58.1 percent completions and 195 passing yards per game to opposing QBs. With 6 of their top eight back in the secondary, they should have no problem matching last season's impressive stats. They lose their best tackler in SS Anthony Kokal, but first-team All-MAC CB Dayonne Nunley and senior CB DJ Brown return to steer the secondary.
MAC East Prediction - Second
The Redhawks seems like they have become the forgotten team who can win the MAC East this year. They are certainly flying under the radar after their disappointing showing last year. They return one of the most gifted and experienced squads in the league. They've also got a very favorable schedule as they avoid three of the best schools in the West in Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Toledo. The Redhawks also get Ohio at home, which is the projected winner in the East.
Treadwell and the players are prepared to redeem themselves this year though, as they have one of the most experienced squads in the league. Miami has 16 starters and 49 returning lettermen this season.
Offense
Miami put up 21.3 points and 373 total yards/game last season. Their above average yardage total was nullified last year due to a turnover differential that was -4 for the year. With 9 returning starters on offense, they've an glorious possibility of becoming one of the greatest units in the conference.
Senior QB Zac Dysert is back after completing 65.8% of his passes for 3,513 yards with 23 scores and 11 picks last year. Dysert could make history this season as he only needs 2,329 yards to pass Ben Roethlisberger's team record for passing yards in a career. He'll very definitely attain that feat provided he stays healthy.
The Redhawks only ran for a pathetic 74 rushing yards/game and 2.4/carry last year. Their top 2 rushers were Erik Finklea and Justin Semmes. Both Semmes and Finklea are back this year and Semmes has a chance to actually produce as he's anticipated to be completely healthy and be their featured back this year.
The receiving group welcomes back first-team All-MAC WR Nick Harwell, who is debatably the best player at his position in the entire conference. The Redhawks do lose Chris Givens, but they bring back sophomore WR Dawan Scott and senior WR Andy Cruse. This will be one of the league's best groups.
Miami was 119 in the FBS in sacks permitted with 47 last season. With four starters and 88 career starts coming back along the offensive line, this unit should be much improved. But they do lose their top guy in second-team All-MAC RG Brandon Brooks, who left for the pros. They do have returning starters senior C Joseph Williams, sophomore LG Marcus Matthews, sophomore RT Zach Lewis and senior LT Brad Bednar to rely on.
Defense
The Redhawks defense was the high point of their season as they allowed just 22.9 points and 364 total yards/game last year. With seven returning starters in this side of the ball, they've an excellent opportunity to match last year's numbers. They lose their top 3 tacklers, though.
The Redhawks are placed to post their best stats against the run with a vet defensive line that returns three starters. These three starters are senior DE Jason Semmes, senior DT Austin Brown and senior DT Mike Johns. Junior DE West Williams also is back after taking a medical redshirt last year.
The linebacker unit is where they have their biggest problem moving forward as they lose their 2 and 3 tacklers in Jemell Wedge and Ryan Kennedy. Senior Pat HInkel moves from SS to SLB to help fill one of the holes. Also returning is senior MLB Evan Harris and senior WLB Jaytee Swanson.
The Redhawks were phenomenal against the pass last year as they allowed 58.1 percent completions and 195 passing yards per game to opposing QBs. With 6 of their top eight back in the secondary, they should have no problem matching last season's impressive stats. They lose their best tackler in SS Anthony Kokal, but first-team All-MAC CB Dayonne Nunley and senior CB DJ Brown return to steer the secondary.
MAC East Prediction - Second
The Redhawks seems like they have become the forgotten team who can win the MAC East this year. They are certainly flying under the radar after their disappointing showing last year. They return one of the most gifted and experienced squads in the league. They've also got a very favorable schedule as they avoid three of the best schools in the West in Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Toledo. The Redhawks also get Ohio at home, which is the projected winner in the East.
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