2008 Miami Ohio Redhawks Football Preview

2008 Miami Ohio Redhawks season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Miami Ohio Redhawks football preview as well as the 2008 Miami Ohio Redhawks Football Schedule. Before leaving be sure and bookmaker our live college football odds page which offers up to the minute point spreads for this weeks games.

Coach: Shane Montgomery (4th year at Miami Ohio)
Team Name: Redhawks
2007 Overall Record: 6-7
Returning Starters: 17

In 2007, the Miami Redhawks (6-7 overall, 5-3 MAC) tied for first in the MAC East. They played Central Michigan for the conference title and lost 10-35. If they had taken the MAC crown, the Redhawks would have secured a bowl invite.

Last season the Miami offense was rated 108th in point production, averaging just 19.2 PPG. One problem was the inconsistent play of QB Daniel Raudabaugh (382 ATT, 209 COMP, 2,431 YDS, 12 TDs, 12 INT). He needs to make better decisions and be more accurate. Redshirted freshman QB Clay Belton will compete for the position. Whichever guy ends up throwing, he’ll have plenty of sure-handed targets to which to throw. Talented sophomore Thomas Merriweather (40 CAR, 143 YDS, 4 TDs) will start at running back.

Last season, the defense carried much of the weight of winning as they allowed opposing teams just 25.6 PPG. They were especially fine versus the pass, holding opponents to 206.9 YPG. The secondary returns three starters, including leading pick artist CB Jeff Thompson (3 INT). The linebacking unit is also sound. Led by OLB Clayton Mullins (143 tackles), it’s a sound group. The defensive line is aggressive and offers excellent pressure on opposing QBs. Senior defensive end Joe Coniglio is back to anchor the unit. He notched 6.5 sacks in 2007.

Five wins look to be assured and five more are possible. The Redhawks open against Vanderbilt on August 28 for a swing contest. Then they play four tossups in a row—October 18 at Bowling Green, October 25 at home versus Kent State, November 4 visiting Buffalo and November 11 when Ball State visits. If they take three of five, they’ll have eight wins.

This season an improved Miami Redhawk team could certainly be bowl bound for the first time since 2004. The last time they won eight games was in 2004. Coach Shane Montgomery (15-21 in three years) has done a fine job rebuilding the program. For Montgomery this season becomes about quarterback consistency and putting points on the board.

If you enjoyed this piece, underneath this article are more team previews of schools that dont reside in the major conferences.