FACTS & STATS: Site: Yager Stadium (24,286) -- Oxford, Ohio. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Ohio 2-3, Miami-OH 1-4. Away Record: Ohio 1-5, Miami-OH 1-5. Neutral Record: Ohio 0-0, Miami-OH 0-0. Conference Record: Ohio 2-5, Miami-OH 1-6.Series Record: Miami-Ohio leads 51-31-2.
GAME NOTES: The season will come to a close for two teams when the Miami-Ohio RedHawks host the Ohio Bobcats in a Mid-American Conference battle this Friday afternoon at Yager Stadium. The Bobcats take the field after snapping a three- game losing skid with a 49-42 victory over Akron. It was just the third win of the season for Ohio, which is now just 2-5 in MAC play. Ohio has been dreadful on the road this season, posting a terrible 1-5 ledger away from home. As for the RedHawks, it has been a disastrous campaign, as the team has lost nine of its 11 matchups. Miami heads into this game with a four-game losing skid and the latest loss was a terrible, 42-14 setback to Toledo. The RedHawks have not given their fans much to cheer about, as the team is just 1-4 at Yager Stadium this year. The RedHawks have dominated the all-time series against Ohio, 51-31-2, but the Bobcats were victorious over Miami this past season with a 38-29 win.
The Bobcats' awful season can be attributed to the team's inability to put forth a consistent effort offensively, as the team is averaging just 347.4 total ypg, which has led to just 22.5 ppg. Ohio has been dreadful on the ground, rushing for just 110.5 ypg on 3.4 ypc. The passing attack has not been much better as Boo Jackson has thrown for just 2,165 yards and 16 scores against 11 interceptions. The last time Ohio was on the field the team only collected 313 total yards of production, but still finished with an impressive 49 points. Jackson did everything in the win, as the quarterback led the ground game with 52 yards, while throwing for 222 yards and five scores. Taylor Price was the main target downfield as the wideout hauled in eight passes for 100 yards and three touchdowns.
The main problem for the Bobcat defense has been its inability to stop the run, as the opposition is rushing for 163.5 ypg, and out of the 37 touchdowns allowed by this unit, 22 have come on the ground. Overall, this defense is surrendering just 347.0 total ypg, and that has led to 27.4 ppg. The Bobcats have also been unable to make many big plays this year, as Ohio has forced just 17 turnovers, while collecting only 20 sacks. The last time the Bobcats took the field the team surrendered 374 total yards and 42 points, but still walked away with a victory. Noah Keller led the way with 13 tackles in the win, while Lee Renfro added 12 stops to go along with 1.5 TFLs.
The RedHawks come into this matchup averaging just 17.7 ppg, which would lead one to believe this unit has not done enough to help Miami collect victories. Currently the RedHawks are averaging a mere 321.5 total ypg, and that includes a horrendous 108.6 rushing ypg on 3.4 ypc. In the recent setback to Toledo, the RedHawks were paced by Daniel Raudabaugh, as the quarterback threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Raudabaugh has struggled for the most part this year, and heads into the finale with just 1,702 passing yards and seven scores against seven interceptions. Leading the way on the ground has been Thomas Merriweather, who has rushed for 547 yards and four scores, but on just 3.9 ypc.
The glaring problem for the RedHawks throughout the season has been the team's inability to stop the run, as opponents are rushing for 197.6 ypg, and out of the 45 touchdowns scored by the opposition, 27 have come via the run. Overall, the RedHawks are allowing 384.5 total ypg, and that has led to a whopping 31.9 ppg. Miami has been unable to force many big plays this year, collecting just 12 sacks, while forcing only 13 turnovers. In the team's recent loss to Toledo, it was the defense's inability to stop the run that hurt Miami again, as the RedHawks were gashed for 377 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Robbie Wilson led the way with 11 tackles in the loss, while Clayton Mullins added 10 stops.
The defense for Miami has been horrendous throughout the season, so there is no reason to believe the RedHawks will be capable of stopping the Bobcats at home. Expect Jackson to have a strong day for Ohio, leading the Bobcats to a season-ending victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio 27, Miami-Ohio 21
Friday, November 28th, 12:30 p.m. (et)
