MIDDLE TENN ST (6 - 6) vs. MIAMI OHIO (9 - 4)
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Head-to-Head Series History
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MIDDLE TENNESSEE vs. MIAMI (OHIO)
Middle Tennessee is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games
Miami (Ohio) is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami (Ohio)'s last 5 games
MIDDLE TENN ST vs. at MIAMI OHIO
MIDDLE TENN ST: 10-1 ATS off SU dog win
MIAMI OHIO: 8-0 Under off conference game
MTSU is 5-9 in the last 14 as underdogs
Miami, OH is 2-11-1 as favorites since 2006
GoDaddy.com Bowl Preview
By: Matt Zemek
Just because a game will be ignored by much of the nation doesn’t mean you should dismiss it out of sight as well. When the MAC and the Sun Belt get together in January for a Deep South duel, you might be surprised by the entertainment value you’ll get.
The bowl game formerly known as the GMAC Bowl might not seem very sexy… that must be why Danica Patrick and the other young women who film GoDaddy.com commercials will now be seen during breaks in the first GoDaddy.com Bowl, a renamed version of a postseason staple that’s been staged in Mobile, Alabama. Miami University will travel from the Midwest down to Ladd-Peebles Stadium for this 2011 tilt against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The RedHawks will try to build on the Mid-American Conference championship they just won on Dec. 3 in Detroit.
All kidding aside about the website that will sponsor this game, it is genuinely worth stating – even emphasizing – the claim that this game was one of the best bowl games last season. The fact that the two “downmarket” conferences in the Football Bowl Subdivision are playing in this game does not give you the right to walk away from your television set in disgust.
In the 2010 GMAC Bowl, a little bit of magic came to Mobile. MAC champion Central Michigan and Sun Belt champion Troy engaged in a classic battle thanks to two senior quarterbacks, CMU’s Dan LeFevour and Troy’s Levi Brown, who lit up the Alabama night and traded haymakers for more than four hours. Troy took a 31-19 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but a 95-yard touchdown return by Central Michigan on the ensuing kickoff restored parity to the proceedings. Central Michigan took a 34-31 lead on a touchdown and a 2-point conversion with 1:17 left, but Troy answered with a tying field goal in the final minute of regulation to send the wild shootout into overtime. Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime inning before CMU made a field goal in the second overtime. When Troy missed its field goal attempt, the MAC outclassed the Sun Belt, but just barely. A 44-41 game thrilled the locals and represented a college football gem. As the focus turns to 2011, Middle Tennessee and Miami could generate the same wacky excitement.
The Blue Raiders barely worked their way into bowl eligibility by winning the last game of the regular season, a stirring 28-27 win over Sun Belt Conference champion Florida International. Coach Rick Stockstill’s club was mired at 3-6 but rallied to win each of its last three games in 2010. Quarterback Dwight Dasher, suspended for the month of September because of contact with a booster that resulted in the receipt of a loan, needed the month of October to gather himself, and in early November, it looked as though the Blue Raiders would be home for the holidays. However, their late surge got them in under the wire, and now they’ll go bowling as a result. Middle Tennessee’s enthusiasm at reaching a bowl, combined with Dasher’s ability to gather himself after his controversy-laden regular season, could easily make MTSU a very formidable team that will play a lot better than its 6-6 record might suggest. That’s why this game could be special.
Miami University had the coach of the year in the Mid-American Conference, Mike Haywood. The run-down RedHawks were 1-11 last year, but Haywood whipped this team into shape and turned it around very quickly. Miami’s defense is this team’s main strength; the RedHawks don’t light up the scoreboard but they keep other opponents under wraps. Northern Illinois came into the MAC Championship Game having scored an average of 65 points in its previous three games, but Miami held NIU to just 21 points in a rousing 26-21 upset victory. Miami’s 9-4 season is an unquestioned triumph regardless of the outcome of this bowl game.
This is a prime-time tussle in which both teams will simply be happy to be participating. Middle Tennessee will relish the fact that it simply has a bowl game to play after its 3-6 start. Miami will be sky-high after its MAC title. If Dasher, after a month of practice, does indeed become the best player on the field, this contest should have the GoDaddy girls genuinely interested in the quality of football being played.
STAT PACK
Middle Tennessee
Passing Yards Per Game: 193.6 (National ranking out of 120 FBS teams: 80)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 178.5 (Ranking: 33)
Points Per Game: 26.9 (Ranking: 62)
Points Allowed Per Game: 27.5 (Ranking: 66)
Miami (Ohio)
Passing: 250.3 ypg (Ranking: 33)
Rushing: 96.8 ypg (Ranking: 114)
Scoring: 20.5 ppg (Ranking: 103)
Scoring Defense: 23.4 ppg (Ranking: 50)
Game of the day: Middle Tennessee St. vs. Miami
Middle Tennessee State vs. Miami Ohio (+2, 28.5)
THE SKINNY:
The RedHawks have been the nation's most improved college football team this year, going from one to nine victories and winning the Mid-American Conference championship.
Miami coach Michael Haywood was named MAC Coach of the Year following the 9-4 season. Miami won its final five games of the season, which included three consecutive road wins against Buffalo, Bowling Green and Akron. But Haywood was hired away by Pittsburgh and subsequently fired after an arrest on domestic battery charges.
Miami-OH hired Michigan State assistant Don Treadwell as its next head coach on Dec. 31. Treadwell will be in attendance, but defensive backs coach Lance Guidry will coach the RedHawks against Middle Tennessee.
Middle Tennessee only has a 6-6 overall record, but the Blue Raiders won their last three games to become bowl eligible. MTSU has played a tougher schedule, with games against Minnesota, at Memphis and at Georgia Tech.
MIAMI'S EDGE:
The strength for the RedHawks is their rushing defense, which allows only 121.38 yards per game and ranks 19th in the nation. Only two of their last eight opponents have rushed for more than 100 yards again Miami. Jerrell Wedge (88 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss) and Evan Harris (85 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss) lead the RedHawks.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE'S EDGE:
The Blue Raiders have an outstanding running game that averages 178.50 yards per game (32nd in the nation) and score a respectable 27.5 points per game.
They feature a solid group of runners, led by Phillip Tanner (841 yards, 11 touchdowns), who ranked fourth in the Sun Belt Conference. D.D. Kyles (390 yards, four TDs), Benjamin Cunningham (348 yards, four TDs) and quarterback Dwight Dasher (453, 7 TDs) round out a solid group of backs.
THE QUARTERBACKS:
This is a question mark for Miami, where Zac Dysert took a shot to the chest against Bowling Green and suffered a lacerated spleen. Although he finished that game – and led the team to a game-winning field goal – Dysert sat out the last three games. He had thrown for 2,406 yards and 13 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Austin Boucher picked up the slack by throwing for 831 yards and four touchdowns in the last three games.
Of course, it helps to have a receiver like Armand Robinson on the team. The senior caught 90 passes for 981 yards and six touchdowns and was named Miami's Offensive Player of the Year.
MTSU's Dwight Dasher made his first start in the fifth week against Troy. Since then he's completed 127 of 222 passes for 1,388 yards and seven touchdowns. But Dasher is really more of a runner and isn't the most accurate; he's been intercepted 14 times, although eight of those came in two games. MTSU isn't likely to win if Dasher is expected throw the ball 50 times. He's considered more of an on-field manager than a game changer.
NFL PROSPECTS:
Miami – WR Armand Robinson. Middle Tennessee – S Kevin Brown, CB Roderick Issac, OLB Jamari Lattimore, QB Dwight Dasher.
BOWL HISTORY:
Miami will be going to its first bowl game since 2004, when it lost to Iowa State in the Independence Bowl. The RedHawks are 6-2 in bowls, including a three-year stretch of wins from 1973-75 in the Tangerine Bowl that included victories over Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Middle Tennessee is 1-1 in its short bowl history, including last year's victory over Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl.
ETC.:
There is a possibility that Miami linebacker Ryan Kennedy will return for the GoDaddy.com Bowl. He tore his MCL in September and has not played since; he was leading the team in tackles at the time of his injury. MTSU may be without reserve receiver Jamar Brown, who missed the last four games with a leg injury.
BETTING TRENDS
Blue Raiders are 1-4 ATS in their last five non-conference games.
Redhawks are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS win.
The under is 7-1 in Miami’s last eight non-conference games.
GoDaddy.com Bowl Preview
Middle Tennessee QB Dasher was suspended by NCAA for first four games of year; Blue Raiders went 2-2 in those games, then went 1-4 in Dasher's first five games, before winning their last three games, two by a single point, to earn a spot here. MTSU is 1-1 in bowl games, beating Southern Miss 42-32 (+3.5) in New Orleans Bowl LY, losing 31-14 in Motor City Bowl back in '06. State was +12 in turnovers LY; they're -16 this year, and still have 6-6 record. Go figure.
Miami OH is in its first bowl since 2004, so they're excited to be here; Red Hawks did so well this year their coach got the Pitt job, but then he got fired last week for off-field issues, after three weeks on job. No clue how all that affects these kids. Miami went from -24 to +7 in turnovers this season, which explains going from 1-11 to 8-4; they won their last five games, upsetting Northern Illinois as 17-point dog in MAC title tilt. Miami's QB was hurt during year, but could return for this game.
Underdogs are 2-0-1 vs spread in this bowl last three years, with average total of only 40.5 in four years of this bowl. Middle Tennessee figures to have edge in crowd support, based on geography. These teams don't get on TV a whole lot, so they'd be excited even if it wasn't a bowl game.
Go Daddy.com Bowl
By Brian Edwards
The champions of the MAC will square off against the Sun Belt’s third-place team tonight at the Go Daddy.com Bowl in Mobile. Most betting shops have installed Middle Tennessee (6-6 straight up, 4-7 against the spread) as a two-point favorite over Miami (OH.). The total is 48 ½ and bettors can take the RedHawks on the money line for a plus-120 payout.
Miami (OH.) has won five in a row, going 4-1 ATS during that span. The RedHawks, who are 9-4 SU and 8-4 ATS, knocked off Northern Illinois 26-21 as 18 ½-point underdogs at the MAC Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Boucher, subbing for sophomore starter Zac Dysert, connected with Armand Robinson on a 33-yard scoring strike with 33 seconds remaining to lift Mike Haywood’s team to victory.
Haywood parlayed the late-season surge into accepting the head-coaching job at Pittsburgh. However, after being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, Haywood lost his new gig in a tenure that was barely longer than George O’Leary’s stay in South Bend.
Miami (OH.) has moved on, hiring Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell to return to his alma mater. Treadwell, who played WR at Miami (OH.) from 1978-1981, served as the Spartans acting head coach while Mark Dantonio was out with a heart attack earlier this year. Lance Guidry, the RedHawks defensive backs coach, will serve as interim head coach tonight.
Miami senior running back Thomas Merriweather rushed for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He had a pair of rushing scores in the win over NIU in Motown.
While Dysert remains out with a spleen injury, Boucher will get his fourth straight start. He has been excellent in relief, throwing for 831 yards with four touchdown passes compared to just one interception. It helps to have a threat like Robinson, who has 90 receptions for 981 yards and six TDs.
Miami (OH.) enjoyed the nation’s biggest turnaround this season, winning nine games after going just 1-11 in 2009.
Middle Tennessee’s season began on the wrong note when senior QB Dwight Dasher was suspended for four games. Dasher, who had 36 combined TDs (23 passing, 13 rushing) in ’09, was rusty upon his return in Week 5.
The result was a 42-13 home loss to Troy on national television. Dasher’s numbers were way down this year, as he posted a 6/14 touchdown-to-interception ratio compared to 23/14 the previous season. Dasher rushed for 453 yards and seven TDs in 2010.
Following a 3-6 start, Rick Stockstill’s team won three in a row to garner its third bowl bid in Stockstill’s five-year tenure. The Blue Raiders closed the regular season with a 28-27 victory at Florida International as 4½-point underdogs.
Phillip Tanner, MT’s senior RB, rushed for a three-yard TD midway through the final stanza to lift his team past FIU. Tanner rushed for 852 yards and 11 TDs during the regular season, averaging 5.7 YPG.
Middle Tennessee has been awful as a single-digit favorite this year, compiling a 2-5 spread record. Meanwhile, Miami (OH.) owns a 5-3 ATS mark in eight underdog spots.
This game features two of the best ‘under’ schools in the country. The RedHawks have seen the ‘under’ cash in eight consecutive games. In five games with totals in the 40s, they have seen the ‘under’ go 5-1.
The ‘under’ has also been a lucrative money maker in Middle Tennessee games, cashing at an 8-2-1 clip. This is the lowest total of the year for the Blue Raiders, who saw the ‘over’ hit in their only other previous tally in the 40s (49½ in a 38-14 win over FAU).
Middle Tennessee won last year’s New Orleans Bowl by beating Southern Miss 42-32 as a 3½-point underdog. The RedHawks are in the postseason for the first time since dropping a 17-13 decision to Iowa St. at the 2004 Independence Bowl.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
Vegasinsider.com
GoDaddy.com Bowl Preview
By: Jeff Mattingly
The Miami OH RedHawks take on the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders in the 2011 GoDaddy.Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
Miami OH continues its Cinderella season with a battle against Middle Tennessee in the GoDaddy.com Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The RedHawks could claim their 10th victory of the season tonight with a win, which would make them the first squad in the history of Division I football to record double-digit losses in one season (1-11) and double-digit victories in the very next season. "What an outstanding accomplishment by these young men to overcome adversity in which they were involved from going 1-11 to being 9-4 and winning the MAC championship," said former head coach Michael Haywood. "I'm so happy for them." Haywood will not be on the sidelines tonight after taking the Pittsburgh job vacated by the firing of Dave Wannstedt. Miami OH is 8-5 ATS on the year.
The RedHawks are currently led by redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Boucher, who has won all three games he has started since normal starter Zac Dysert suffered a lacerated spleen on November 10. The status of Dysert is unknown at this time. Miami is making its 10th bowl appearance, the second-most in Mid-American Conference history. The RedHawks are 6-3 in bowl games. Running back Thomas Merriweather figures to play a key part in the game plan tonight, rushing for an average of 111.4 yards and six touchdowns during the team's six-game winning streak. He will be facing a defense that allowed 193.7 yards per game on the ground and 23 rushing touchdowns.
Middle Tennessee State captured three straight victories to ened the season and earn a second consecutive bowl berth for the first time since joining the FBS in 1999. "One of our goals entering the season was to play in a bowl game and I am extremely proud of our team and coaching staff for accomplishing this," said coach Rick Stockstill. "It has been like a playoff the past three weeks." The program has faced four teams currently in the MAC and carry a 10-8 record in those games. Turnovers are expected to be an important factor in this contest due to the Blue Raiders being tied for most turnovers in the nation with 33. Middle Tennessee State is 3-6 ATS as a favorite.
The Blue Raiders have a dynamic playmaker at the quarterback position in Dwight Dasher, who is the 15th player in NCAA history to throw for 5,000 yards and rush for 2,000 in his career. He set a bowl record for rushing yards by a signal caller with 201 in a 42-32 victory over Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl last December 20. Middle Tennessee State has scored just 38 points off turnovers compared to 119 by its opponents. On the other side of the ball, Jamari Lattimore figures to make noise in this contest, ranking sixth nationally in sacks per game.
Bettors will be interested in backing the RedHawks due to their 3-1 ATS mark when the line is +3 to -3, while the Blue Raiders are 1-6 ATS following a bye week.