The Miami RedHawks will be honoring 13 seniors on Tuesday night, and its only fitting that they'll be facing down their biggest MAC rivals. The Battle of the Bricks has long been a heated contest, and although Miami leads Ohio all-time in the series 52-36-2, recent years have not been kind to the Red and White. Seven of the last eight meetings have resulted in Bobcat victories, though the last time the two met in Oxford in October of 2012, Miami upset the No. 24 ranked Ohio squad 23-20, marring an undefeated record. The ramifications of these two teams meeting might not be as drastic this year, but the Bobcats (5-6, 3-4 MAC) are looking to become bowl eligible for the sixth straight season, and must obtain a win to have a chance at making another postseason appearance.
The RedHawks (2-9, 2-5 MAC) could potentially play the role of spoiler again this year, but in order to do so, they'll have to contend with an impressive OU running attack that centers on true freshman A.J. Ouellette, who has impressed on a national level in recent weeks. He leads the team with seven touchdowns and is coming off of back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. Derrius Vick also provides a ground-attack alternative for the Bobcats as a mobile quarterback, and that's where the RedHawks will struggle the most to contain their rivals. They've gotten progressively worse against the run this season, and have allowed an average of 245 rushing yards in November.
All indications point to a shootout, but Miami will cause most of its damage with a passing attack that ranks seventh in the nation, led by Andrew Hendrix and his 3,062 yards through the air. The senior can also get it done with his feet, as he is second in the MAC in total offensive yards per game.
Though the 'Hawks have just two wins on the year, seven of their last eight contests have been decided by 10 points or fewer. It's a marked improvement from the winless black hole of a 2013 season, but 2014 has been much kinder as Chuck Martin's presence has spurred a renaissance in the passing attack, and a renewed tenacity in the passing half of the defense, which is led by senior Quentin Rollins and his team-high five interceptions.
The edge still lies with the Bobcats, but don't count the RedHawks out. Despite poor attendance at games (which won't be helped by students leaving for break after their last classes on Tuesday) Miami is a much tougher team at home. They allow an average of 85 yards less on the ground at Yager Stadium than they do on the road, and both wins this year were secured on home turf. If Miami can contain the potent Ohio running attack, Frank Solich and his guys in green could miss be seeing a premature end to their season.
Miami and Ohio will clash in both squads' last contest of the year. The weeknight MACtion will commence Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. in Oxford, Ohio.