GoDaddy.Com Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs. The Miami University (of Ohio)
By Ty Duffy
The matchup we have all been waiting for. It’s finally here. The Blue Raiders and the Redhawks. Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The war on the Mobile Bay shore. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Cradle of Coaches: On December 3rd, Miami upset a ranked Northern Illinois team to finish the season 9-4. On December 16th, Miami coach Mike Haywood left to take the Pittsburgh job. On December 31st, Haywood was arrested and faces felony domestic violence charges. On January 1st, he was fired. It’s probably for the best. Pittsburgh women already had to be watchful for one fine export of the Miami football program.
Suspension: Middle Tennessee quarterback Dwight Dasher received some hopeful Heisman buzz, but a four-game suspension for accepting a $1,500 loan followed by injuries hampered him. He threw only six touchdown passes to fourteen interceptions in the final eight games. He’s hoping to redeem himself.
J Crew University: Miami of Ohio, catering to entitled, modest acheivers since 1809, brah.
For Middle Tennessee to Win: Get Dwight Dasher out of the pocket. Miami has an effective run defense. They have to cover a short field. Moving Dasher around will let him see the field better, spread the defense and allow him to make plays.
For Miami to Win: Establish the run. MTSU has an undersized and ineffective front seven. Getting Thomas Merriweather rolling will take the pressure off second-string quarterback Austin Boucher, starting for Zac Dysert who is out for the season.
Prediction: I’ll go Middle Tennessee. Does anyone really care?
[Photo via Getty]