Recent News | Popular News | Subscribe

FACTS & STATS: Site: Waldo Stadium (30,200) -- Kalamazoo, Michigan. Television: None. Home Record: Miami-OH 0-0, WMU 0-0. Away Record: Miami-OH 0-1, WMU 0-2. Neutral Record: Miami-OH 0-1, WMU 0-0. Conference Record: Miami- OH 0-0, WMU 0-0. Series Record: Miami-Ohio leads, 37-16-1.

GAME NOTES: Mid-American Conference play will begin for two teams as the Western Michigan Broncos host the Miami-Ohio RedHawks this Saturday evening at Waldo Stadium.

The RedHawks have been embarrassed in the early stages of the 2009 campaign by being shut out in their first two games. Miami-Ohio opened the year with a 42-0 setback to Kentucky, and followed that debacle with a 48-0 loss to Boise State. After this matchup the RedHawks will remain on the road to battle the Kent State Golden Flashes.

As for the Broncos, they have also dropped their first two games on the season. WMU opened the year with a 31-7 setback to Michigan, and followed that loss with a tough, 23-19 loss to Indiana. However, the Broncos will finally play at home, where the team is 16-5 since 2005.

The RedHawks have a commanding, 37-16-1 edge over Western Michigan in the all- time series. However, the Broncos have won seven of the last 10 matchups, including a 27-24 decision over Miami-Ohio in 2006.

Considering Miami has yet to score on the year it should come as no surprise that the team has been dreadful offensively. The RedHawks are averaging a pathetic 191.0 total yards per matchup and have already committed six turnovers on the season. The ground game has been non-existent thus far, as the team has rumbled for just 100 yards on 2.1 yards per attempt. In the loss to Boise State, the RedHawks collected just 38 rushing yards on 1.5 yards per tote. The passing attack was just as bad, as Daniel Raudabaugh completed just 21-of-35 passes for only 155 yards. Raudabaugh also tossed two interceptions in the setback and was sacked once. Zac Dysert saw limited time as well under center in the loss, but he finished with just one passing yard on 2-of-4 passing and was also intercepted twice. It has only been two games, but Raudabaugh has been unimpressive, completing just 49.3 percent of his throws and four INTs.

The terrible start to the year cannot be pinned solely on the play of the offense, as the defensive unit has also been atrocious. Miami has allowed over 40 points in both of its matchups and has been unable to stop the run or pass, as opponents are marching down field for 186.0 ypg on the ground, while torching this unit for 278.5 yards per matchup through the air. In the setback to Boise State, it was the passing attack that caused problems, as the defense was tortured for 314 passing yards and four scores. Miami was able to force a turnover in the matchup, but did not record a sack and allowed Boise State to convert on 5-of-6 red zone chances.

After scoring just seven points in a season opening loss to Michigan, the Broncos put forth a much better effort against Indiana, posting 19 points in the setback. The team was led by Tim Hiller, who threw for 266 yards and one score on 28-of-43 passing. Hiller, who tossed 36 touchdowns in 2008, has completed 61.7 percent of his throws thus far, for 525 yards with two touchdowns against two interceptions. What has been surprising is the lack of success for WMU's ground game, which is averaging a pathetic 30.0 yards per matchup. Brandon West has rushed for just 78 yards on 2.9 ypc, and in the loss to Indiana the tailback was limited to just 37 yards on 14 carries. In 2008, West was a dangerous runner, scampering for over 1,000 yards and eight scores.

While the offense has been unable to find consistency in the backfield, the defensive unit has been unable to stop the opposition from marching the football down the field. After two games Western Michigan has been abused by the rushing attack, allowing a whopping 214.5 yards per game on 5.2 yards per carry. The struggles were evident in the loss to the Hoosiers, as Indiana punished WMU for 187 yards and two scores on 5.7 yards per tote. Overall the Broncos surrendered 372 total yards and also finished the contest with no turnovers or sacks. Austin Pritchard collected 12 tackles in the loss, and now has a team-best 23 stops on the year.

The RedHawks should finally get on the scoreboard in 2009, but they will not be able to score enough points to keep up with a Western Michigan squad that is ready for a breakout game.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Western Michigan 38, Miami-Ohio 13