Miami (OH) RedHawks

The RedHawks opened with a 59-14 loss at Pittsburgh in which they were outgained 219-15 in the first quarter and failed to pick up a first down on their first three possessions. But they responded with a 45-7 home win over Holy Cross, then pushed Cincinnati to the wire before falling 35-31 after leading by 21 at halftime. A 24-21 comeback win over UConn and a 20-19 escape at UMass followed, and Miami has now won back-to-back games for the first time this season after a 34-14 victory over Akron. At 4-3 overall and 2-1 in MAC play, the RedHawks are very much alive in the conference race.

Miami's defense has quietly become the team's reliable unit. After surrendering 59 points to Pitt and 35 to Cincinnati, the RedHawks have allowed just 21, 24, 19 and 14 points in their last four games. The linebacker trio of CJ Young, Blayne Myrick and Malcolm McCain has been the strength, with Myrick returning an interception 34 yards for a touchdown against Akron and McCain stopping UMass's potential game-winning two-point conversion on the final play. Special teams have provided a hidden edge: Scoop Smith returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown at Cincinnati and blocked a punt that Leo Colombi returned for a score against Holy Cross. Kicker Kellan McLaughlin has been steady since taking over field goals, and punter Pierse Stainton remains a field-position weapon.

The offense has cycled through three quarterbacks. David McComb, a redshirt freshman, has been the most productive, throwing for 334 yards and a touchdown at Cincinnati and 312 yards and two scores against UConn before leaving with an injury. Caleb Heavner has started the last two games, struggling at UMass (6-of-20 for 95 yards) but managing the Akron win efficiently. Thomas Gotkowski, the preseason projected starter, has yet to take meaningful snaps. The running game, expected to be a strength with Monmouth transfer Rodney Nelson and Wisconsin transfer Cade Yacamelli, finally broke out against Akron as Nelson ran for a career-high 142 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries. That performance offers hope that the offense can become more balanced down the stretch.

The rebuilt offensive line, which returned only left tackle Eric Smith and added Northern Illinois transfer Evan Malcore at right tackle, has been a season-long concern. The unit was overwhelmed at Pittsburgh and has struggled to generate consistent push against MAC fronts, contributing to low-scoring outputs against Bowling Green (20 points) and UMass (20 points). The Akron game was a step forward, but the RedHawks will need the line to build on that performance if they are to contend for a fourth straight MAC championship game appearance.

Miami sits at 4-3 with a manageable remaining schedule. The defense and special teams are good enough to keep the RedHawks in every game, but the offense must find consistency, particularly at quarterback and along the offensive line. The return of McComb from injury would be a boost, and Nelson's breakout against Akron suggests the running game could become a reliable foundation. With Chuck Martin's track record of three consecutive MAC title game appearances, Miami remains a threat in the conference, but the margin for error is thin. The next few weeks will reveal whether this team is a true contender or merely a spoiler.