Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart |
Further Analysis
The 2005 RedHawks were the MAC's most experienced, most talented
team showing enough firepower to obliterate eventual league champion
Akron 51-23, but they couldn't seem to get any respect. It wasn't like
the team tanked winning seven of the final nine games, but a 42-14
home loss to Bowling Green ended any conference title hopes and
soured any potential bowl suitors. Now the
program has to hope it doesn't slip in the second year under head
coach Shane Montgomery.
Miami hasn't just been a MAC power
over the last few years, it's been the league's second most
consistent program behind Toledo with the last losing season coming
in 1993. But being consistent isn't enough for the RedHawks. They
want to be winning MAC titles, and despite a ton of issues on both
sides of the ball, there's no reason they can't be back in the
championship game representing the East.
Head coach: Shane Montgomery
2nd year (7-4)
Returning Lettermen:
Off. 17, Def. 13, ST 3
Lettermen Lost: 23 |
Ten
Best RedHawk Players
1. WR/PR Ryne Robinson, Sr.
2. RB Brandon Murphy, Jr.
3. FS Joey Card, Sr.
4. OT Charlie Norden, Jr.
5. DE Craig Mester, Jr.
6. WR Josh Williams, Sr.
7. OT Dave DiFranco, Soph.
8. DT Otto Linwood, Jr.
9. CB Frank Wiwo, Sr.
10. LB Dontae Wright, Sr. |
|
2006
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
6-6 |
|
8/31 |
Northwestern |
| 9/9 |
at Purdue |
| 9/16 |
Kent State |
| 9/23 |
at Syracuse |
|
9/30 |
at Cincinnati |
| 10/7 |
Northern Illinois |
| 10/14 |
at Buffalo |
| 10/21 |
at Akron |
| 10/28 |
Ball State |
| 11/4 |
at Western Michigan |
| 11/15 |
at Bowling Green |
| 11/24 |
Ohio |
|
|
2005
Schedule
CFN
Predicton:
9-2
2005 Record: 7-4
Preview
2005 predicted wins |
| 9/3 |
at Ohio State L 34-14 |
| 9/10 |
Central Michigan
L 38-37 |
| 9/17 |
at Kent State
W 27-10 |
|
9/28 |
Cincinnati
W 44-16 |
| 10/5 |
at No Illinois L 38-27 |
| 10/15 |
Akron
W 51-23 |
| 10/22 |
at Eastern Mich
W 24-23 |
| 10/29 |
at Temple
W 41-14 |
| 11/5 |
Buffalo
W 54-13 |
| 11/15 |
Bowling Green
L 42-14 |
| 11/21 |
at Ohio
W 38-7 |
|
Only five starters return, but it's not
like the cupboard is completely bare with good prospects returning to
fill most of the holes with the biggest question at quarterback, where
Mike Kokal, Jared Elliott and Daniel Raudabaugh will try to be next in
line after Josh Betts and Ben Roethlisberger. Yes, the talent level will
be there to be competitive, but can Miami get the momentum back after
tremendous seasons in 2003 and 2004? Absolutely.
No, this isn't going to be anywhere near the 13-1 monster of 2003, and
it's not going to be nearly as good as last year, but the East is the
far weaker of the two divisions. If the linebacking corps can come
together in a hurry and a steady starting quarterback can be found,
there's no reason this can't be a more rewarding year even if the final
record isn't any better.
The
Schedule:
It isn't all that bad considering the only road game
against a bowl team from last year is at Akron. The first two MAC games
are at home highlighted by a potential MAC title game preview against
Northern Illinois. And then comes the nasty part with four road games in
five dates with the only oasis coming against Ball State. Road trips to
Western Michigan and Bowling Green will make or break the season.
Best
Offensive Player:
Senior WR Ryne Robinson.
One of the best punt returners in college football history, Robinson has
grown into a reliable, explosive receiver. With Martin Nance gone,
Robinson not only needs to be the deep threat in the big receiving
corps, he needs to be a steady target for the new starting quarterback.
That won't be a problem if he plays like he did last year.
Best
Defensive Player:
Senior FS
Joey Card. With only two returning starters on defense, the speedy
veteran is the leader of the defense by default. He's a good hitter with
great range, and he's rarely out of position. The RedHawks need him to
be an All-MAC performer.
Key player
to a successful season:
Junior QB Mike Kokal. It'll be a battle for the starting job, but Kokal
will likely be the number one man when the Northwestern game comes
around. He's not as big or as good a passer as Josh Betts and Ben
Roethlisberger were, but he's a better runner.
The season
will be a success if ... Miami wins the East. Even with all the new starters this will
still be among the league's most talented teams. Anything less than
playing for the MAC title will be a disappointment, but that's setting
the bar way too high if the injury bug strikes early on.
Key game:
Nov. 15 at Bowling Green. Akron might be the defending champs, but
the real test for East title will likely come late in the year on a
nationally televised Wednesday night game against Bowling Green. The
RedHawks will likely be playing in the MAC championship if they can beat
the Zips and the Falcons.
2005 Fun
Stats:
- Fumbles: Opponents 27 (lost 15) - Miami Univ. 14 (lost 8)
- Fourth quarter scoring: Miami Univ. 114 - Opponents 69
- Passing yards: Miami Univ. 3,208 - Opponents 2,286
The Last Time Miami University…
…played in a bowl game…2004 (Independence Bowl vs. Iowa State)
…missed a bowl game…2005
…pitched a shutout…2004 (Indiana State)
…was shutout…1993 (Ball State)
…scored 50 points…2005 (Buffalo)
…went undefeated…1974
…won a conference title…2003 (MAC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…2005 (Josh Betts)
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2005 (Brandon Murphy)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…2005 (Ryne Robinson and Martin Nance)
…had a first-round draft choice…2004 (QB Ben Roethlisberger)