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2009 Miami RedHawks Football Preview

Miami's Offense:

New head coach Mike Haywood will not have to groom a quarterback his first season in Oxford with 5th year senior Daniel Raudabaugh returning. He has room for improvement after last year’s showing of just eight TD passes and nine interceptions. Talented Clay Benton and Zac Dysert are ready if needed. The running game is in good hands with Thomas Merriweather and Andre Bratton but look for Wisconsin transfer Quincy Landingham to become a force this fall. The receivers are led by Chris Givens who caught 35 passes for 513 yards and seven touchdowns. Overall Miami’s top four receivers return. The line is young with no seniors listed in the spring’s two-deep roster. With Coach Haywood preaching a more to a more smash-mouth type of offense, that could pose a problem this fall.

Miami's Defense:

Miami ’s D-line is led by senior NT Martin Channels but unlike many MAC defensive fronts, there is some good size in the trenches. Four of the top five tackles in 2008 were LBs and only Caleb Bostic returns from that group. The secondary will be led by senior CB Jeff Thompson and the defensive backfield looks to be the most seasoned entering the season. Overall just three starters return on this side of the ball from a defense that ranked 101st nationally in points scored and 88 th nationally in total defense.

Intangibles for the 2009 RedHawks:

The RedHawks kicking game must undergo a complete makeover as both of their kicking specialists graduated (PK Nate Parseghian and P Jacob Richardson). Mike Haywood gets his first head coaching experience after leaving serving on Charlie Weis’ staff at Notre Dame. MU will open the season at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium against Kentucky before a stretch of three straight road games. October 3 against long-time rival Cincinnati will be Miami’s first game at Yager stadium.

Outlook for the 2009 Miami RedHawks:

New defensive coordinator Carl Reese will have his work cut out for him as Miami looks to be thin on that side of ball. Poor defense became a staple under the previous coaching staff and it may take a year or two before the new regime can bring Miami back to their program’s strong defensive roots. Offensively there are some weapons but the line may be too young and green to get it going this fall. Overall this program will be on the upswing under Haywood but don’t look for many more wins this fall with a schedule that includes Kentucky, Boise State, Cincinnati and Northwestern.

The Big Game for Miami in 2009:

September 26 at Kent State; after getting slapped around 54-21 to KSU last year, Miami needs to show the division & the entire league they are not the same team in 2008.

Team Article by Evan Meyer of Sports Vault - Especially for VanDelaySports.com
Predictions, Stats, Key Game & Outlook by Nick Gerogosian of VanDelaySports.com

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