The Miami University football team finds itself in a precarious position with one third of its season in the books.
The RedHawks have been outscored 144 to 58 over the course of the first four games, including 89 to 10 over the last two weeks.
Those numbers speak for themselves, but what is even more troubling is that the performance of the team has seemed to decline as the season has progressed. The lone triumph for the squad came in week one, while the margins of defeat have expanded in each successive game.
Injuries at the running back position have taken a key element of speed away from Miami's offense. Austin Sykes has done an admirable job filling in at that position, rushing for over four yards per carry, however, the strain placed on the team due to the loss of Brandon Murphy and Andre Bratton is more than many teams could put up with.
What the team needs now, according to Head Coach Shane Montgomery, is confidence, and confidence must come from consistency. A clear decision must be made at the quarterback position, so that the team knows who its leader will be for the rest of the season. Daniel Raudabaugh's performance in the game last week at Colorado (11 of 32 for 95 yards) was not encouraging, but he should fare better as he grows more accustomed to working in the starting role.
However, for the RedHawks, a silver lining in the poor start does exist.
This team's record, for most, if not all, intents and purposes is 1-0. This is their Mid-American Conference record-the only record that matters to the RedHawks when it comes time for postseason play.
The team has indeed played a third of its season, but only one out of seven MAC matchups have taken place, the only MAC game being the first game of the season when the RedHawks knocked off the Ball State Cardinals 14-13.
The focus for the RedHawks must now move to the MAC portion of the schedule. For all intensive purposes, the season is seven games long, and six games still remain. Last season, the Ohio Bobcats won the MAC East Division with a conference record of 7-1. Outside of MAC play, their record was only 2-4.
It might seem crazy to think of Miami as undefeated, but considering that they do not figure to be invited to any bowl games unless they could win the MAC Championship game in Detroit this year, non-conference games are largely gravy. They are great to win, and certainly important for the team's development, but they have almost no direct effect on the question of whether or not the RedHawks will be going to a bowl game in December or January.
Right now the hopes for a MAC Championship game appearance are statistically as alive as they were Aug. 30, when the RedHawks were really 1-0.
The RedHawks game Saturday against Syracuse should be viewed as an opportunity to get everything straight before the season starts anew with MAC play. Once these games start, the losses start to mean more and the wins get sweeter.
The season has not looked pretty for the RedHawks so far. Basing judgment on performance alone, one could draw much harsher conclusions about the future of this team. Luckily, Miami has time to get it together before the season starts (again) at Kent State Oct. 6.
